The Washington herald., 1910-08-29

leve in the party principles as declared
In its national platform Of 1893 should
give the candidates loyal and effective
support. If this is done. there will be
no doubt Of return OF a Republican
majority.
DEMOCRATIC REPUTATION.
The only other alternative is a Dem
ocratic majority. II Is difficult, very
difficult. TO state all the principles that
would govern such a majority IN its legIs-
lative course; and this because its party
platforms have presented a variety OF
planks not altogether consistent, and be-
cause in the present Congress, leading
Democrats in the Senate and the House
have not hesitated TO repudiate certain
of their party pledges and TO deny then
binding character. We may reasonably
assume. however, that Democratic ma
jority In the House would reject the Re
publican doctrine Of protection as an
nounced IN 1905.
What therefore. has a Republican who
believes in protection. but objects 20 some
rates or schedules in the present tariff
act. to hope from a Democratic majority
which II allowed its way. would attack
the protective system. and halt business
by a threatened revision OF the whole
tariff on revenue basis. or II prevented
by the Senate or the Executive would
merely do nothing?
Such a legislative programme as that
set forth In the Republican national plat
form OF 1905 could not be carried out IN
full by one Congress. Certainly II all its
promises are executed in one administra-
ton. II viii be within a proper time.
The present Congress has not only full
filed many party pledges. but It has by
its course set higher the standard Of
party responsibility for such pledges than
ever before in the history Of American
parties. Hereafter those who would
catch voters by declarations IN favor Of
alluring remedial legislation will not
make them except with much more care
as TO tho possibility OF its enactment
IN view Of the history OF the present
Congress. the return Of a Republican
majority In the next Congress may well
inspire confidence that the pledges still
unredecEed will be met and satisfied.
THE TARIFF.
Let us consider, summarily. the prom
ises made and the legislation enacted by
the present Congress; First and OF pri-
mary importance was the promise TO re-
wise the tariff In accordance with the rule
laid down IN the platform, 70 wit. that
the tariff on articles imported should be
equal TO the difference between their
cost Of production abroad and that cost
frsr fvr1 Ill
profit for the domestic manufacturer.
very full investigation-full. at least. as
such Investigations have been conducted
in the past-was made by the Ways and
Means Committee OF the House 20 deter
mine what rates should be changed to
conform 70 this rule. A reduction was
made in e54 numbers, and an Increase in
some go while 1.l50 remained unchanged
The blu was amended in the Senate, but
the proportion Of increases TO decreases
was maintained. When I signed the bill
I accompanied my approval with the fol-
lowing memorandum:
have signed tho Payne tariff bin because he,
neTe Il % b. The result Of sincere effort on the
pan q tho Republican party 10 make downward
revision. and TO empty With the promises Of the
platform az they have been generally understood
and as ! Interpreted them IN the campaign before
election.
The bill IL not perfect tariff bin or a complete
c7npnance With the promises made strictly inter
prcted, but fuldllment free from criticism in re-
Rped 70 subject matter involving many schedules
and thousands Of articles could not be e1pectod IL
suHoes to say that except with regard 20 whisky
bquorA and wires. and ia regard 10 silks and "a
70 some high Classes Of cottons-all of which may
30 treated as Injuries and proper subjects of a
revenue tarif-thcre have been very Few increases
IN rates There have been a eTvat number Of real
decreases In mtcA and they constitute a sufficient
amount 70 Justify the statement that this bin is a
substantial d0wnweId revision and a reduction Of
excessive rates. This II not a froc-trade bill II
not Intended 10 be. The Republican party aid
not promse 70 make frc>trade bill II promised
20 make the rates protective. bat 20 reduce them
wien they exceeded the difference between the cost
o. production abroad and hare. making allowance
tor the greater normal profit on active INVESTMENTS
here believe that while this excess has not been
reduced IN a number OF cases IN a great majority
The rates are such as are necessary 70 protect
American industries bit are low enough in case OF
abnormal Increase % demand aud raising Of prices
70 PRINT the possibility q the importation OF tho
ioIagn article ard thus 20 prevent excessive prices
The power granted 20 the Executive under the
maximum and minimum clause NAV be exercised To
secure the removal q Obstacles which have heen
interposed by foreign governments In the wav Of
undue and unfair discrimination against American
merchandise and prOductS
> Tho Philippine tariff section hare struggled n
secure for ten years last past and Il Frataes me