Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-04-14

: There is, we believe, a welI-groundeC
and welI-fouBded dissatisfaction in Yer
mont over existing political conditions in
J the nation. The tariff is bat one OF
these conditions; almost a minor one
Yet even here We mole the same feeling.
Aud the reasons for it are not far to seek.
The average citizen, the average country
newspaper editor, is not yersed in the
elaborate, intricate details Of tariff franz
ing. He doesn't know whether a certain
duty on certain class Of articles is suffi-
Gent or excessive. He cannot say With
positiveuess that one single rate is unjust,
either to producer or consumer. fNor can
the average Congressman, for that mat
teri. The citizen or the country editor
judges largely by conditions that be can
see and understand. Whether his CON
illusions are right or wrong, he must. OF
necessity, form them from these data,
rather than the close application OF first
hand investigation.
Now in this tarif business what does
the average Republican voter or editor
see /? Let US catalogue a few things:-
First, an unquestioued public senti-
ment favorable to general overhauling
of the tariI, With notifications in rates
to correspond with changed conditions.
Second, a definite pledge in the Repub-
lican platform TO do this work faithfully
and well at the first possible opportunity.
Third, sweeping Republican victory
gained under this promise.
Fourth, Congress summoned in special
session.
Fifth, differences arise among leading
Republicans as TO just what the tariff
pledge meant. The high protection ele-
ment claims it promised no reduction,
but rather a reaGiustment; some rates
higher, some lower. The low tariff Re-
publicans, mostly from the Middle West,
oppose this idea and declare it is reoreant
to the pledge, express and implied, of
heavy cut in duties.
Sixth, the work OF tariff revision, under
these circumstances, put into the hands
OF the reactionaries, and the progressives
turned down.
Seventh, the bill, even as il passed the
House, made over entirely in the Senate
under the personal direction of Senator
Aldrich, hide-bound high-duty man by
lifelong principle, as well as personal
interest.
Eighth, the dissatisfied senators from
the West making brilliant, bat hopeless
fight for what most Republicans believe
was the true party pledge Betrayed
both by their party and the faithless OPP
position, they went down, but with col
ors flying, and their fight was not 10 vain.
Ninth, personal interference by Presi-
dent Taft, after the act had reached its
final stage, that compelled the cutting
down of certain duties and the lowering
OF schedules.
Tenth, public utterances by the presi-
dent to the effect that unless Congress
carried out the party pledge it
would have to answer for it,
Eleventh, qualified approval. only, Of
the Payne-Aldrieh act by the president,
based on his belief that it was the best to
be had. though not entirely performing !
he platform promise.
Twelfth, sudden turn in the presi- !
tents attitude, leading to his oensure
Ind criticism, in their own states and dis !
riots, OF senators and representatives who s
lad voted against the bill for the same !
easons that he had expressed.
Thirteenth, arrangement between the :
o-called insurgents and the president; /
complete harmony between the president !
nd the Payne-Aldrich cluster. " ho had
heir way in framing the law.
The new tariff is on trial 1t should j
tand or fall, not op the question Of its Q
uspices, but its operation. However, the !
pinion Is pretty we'll fixed in many
minds that the work OF revision was n
ungled, that the tariff was not honestly L
eyised downward as it should have been,
nd that the Interests" had their way i
head of the people. II time demon k
rates the contrary, there will be a a
hange in sentiment, but the existing = =
lea the country over is that nothing good
] the way Of downward revision was to n
e expected out of such a Nazareth as q
nat peopled by the Psynes, Aldriches :, "
nd Cannons. III
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