The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1910-11-18
limo for Statesmen.


say about an extra session of Congress
Immediately after the short session end
ing March 4 next for the purpose Of
revising the Aldrich-Payne tariff law.
1t is said that President Taft wants to
shift responsibility for tariff revision to
Democratic shoulders, in order, II pos
sible, to bring discredit upon the Dem
ocratic party. The President knows
that the tariff is not the only institu
ton that Congress has abused, and he
hopes and prays that Democrats will
lose advantage in laundering haste be-
fore the national election in 1912. 1t
is very easy to make mistake No
one knows this better than man OF
experience in executive or legislative
affairs OF government. Democrats have
often blundered. The party stands upon
the foundation principles expounded by
the greatest of all American statesmen,
Thos Jefferson, but the Ship Of State
has not always been manned by the best
OF leadership, and hence it has not al
ways triumphed.
Opportunity again knocks at the door
after years of defeat. What will the
party do with it?
There are many other things involv-
ing an economic administration besides
revision OF the tariff Notwithstanding
the fact that it has served as hobby
horse for many Of the political theorists
The revision Of the tariff seems very
plausible indeed, but a revision down
ward is another question. The protec-
tive features of the tariff may be mod
fled to considerable extent, but when
ii comes to reduction other issues are
involved The first thing to operate
against reduction is extravaganza in
public expenditures, and seems to us
that no radical change can be made in
the tariff until there is, as Cleveland
said, retrenchment and reform The
expenses OF government are increasing
at a much larger ratio than our wealth,
more than twenty per cent during the
past decade. Can the duties be reduced
to any considerable extent under these
conditions. Before the Aldrch- Payne
law the treasury surplus was dwindling
away. Will the Democrats take the
responsibility Of slashing tariff duties
at the risk OF issuing more bonds? 1t
is TO be hoped that they will exercise
more wisdom.
The first thing to do is thorough
overhauling of the departments and an
economical pruning OF governmental
expenditures. Some months and years
might be spent in this work very wisely,
and then with Democratic House and
Senate the party might be justified in
reducing the tariff to an appreciable
extent.
The Democrats might also with profit
take up the question OF abuse OF the
lobby and rule of the House with one
man power. They might render val
liable service to the country by refusing
to cater to the demands OF special inter I
ests. OF course these interests will re-
taliate by attempting to bring OH de-
preston OF business. They will dc that
any way on account Of the popular vic
tory at the polls this month. So there
is very little to lose in refusing unreason-
able demands.
Roosevelt was forced to accede to the
consolidation Of all the steel interests at
price OF saving the country from tenn
porary depression. A true statesman
would never have yielded. II the gov
eminent must continue to yield to spe-
ciaI interests under the lash of corporate
injustice, what will be the final reckon
ing. This is far more important to the
people than submission under the pres
ent conditions. Will they now fight cor
porate avarice and greed or wait until
almost reduced TO servility.
Democrats have many labors to per
form, and it will require more wisdom,
perhaps, than at any time in the history
Of the nation. They are responsible not
only to the members Of their own party
but to the insurgents who have repudi- !
ated the Republican party
In our opinion the Republic of the I
United States is on trial, and it vii take
not only the wisdom Of the Democratic I
party, but the combined wisdom OF both
Democrats and insurgents to rescue us
rom the hands of our friends-the enc {
my
Complete Sewerage.
The people Of Union City win extract I