The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1910-09-21


r. fiifesE c4tsa II
sos 81 lying
either trilth nor logic u
This doctrine The taFih law now N
dberation iss not d high tariff The
duties levied under It are lower than
those levied under the old laws, bllt
they are adjusted on the lines Of
protection to American Industries TO
yield the best revenue results; and It
mist not be forgotten that the pri-
mary object Of the tariff laws is to
raise revenue, nor that the lions
share OF the federal governments In
come is derived from this source
alone. Protection Is largely Incl
dental. but its Incidental wisdom has
been amply proved by the experience
OF the last dozen years.
1t Is charged that the Payne-Ald-
rich bill is inequitable: that some
articles are taxed too high, and per-
haps some too low and that It mus
be revised The last Congress pro-
vfded for its revision and regulation
in safe and sane way. that Is to say
through a tariR commission similar
in Its powers and duties to the Inter
state Commerce Commission, which
has proved itself to be entirely
equal to the adjustment on a fair
and equitable basis of disputes be-
tween shippers and railroads con-
corning rates and services. The tar
iff bill undoubtedly contains some
inequities, but they will be remedled
in due season through the operation
OF this new corrective agency. Let
us give 1t fair trial before con-
demning 1t.
The Democrats, seeing what they
think is an opportunity to mount
again to power, but mistaking as
usual the point and the temper of
the people. are boldly claiming that
they will revise and reduce the tariff
to purely a revenue basis. 1t is not
possible that the people of this ma
ton have so soon forgotten the last
Democratic tariff bill which became
a law. 1t was passed in pursuance
to the avowed policy OF the Demo
cratic party, which had declared for
"a tariff for revenue only" The
bill was drawn upon these lines.
We had an era of low tariff aud
low prices. to be sure, but the ovens
of the Connellsville coke region were
smokeless, the mills and furnaces
were silent, the wheels of industry
were paralyzed. Low prices were no
object to the workingman. He had
no employment. no income, no money
to Buy at any price. Starvation
stared him in the face. The bread
line and the free soup house sprang
into existence in the cities, and the
army of the unemployed marched
upon Washington demanding work
and subsistence.
Yet, the Democratic demagogucs
have the hardihood to propose to re-
duce the tariff again on such lines as
these Is 1t not strange they are
joined in their shout by demagogues
masking as Republicans. but 1T is
hard to understand why any other.
Republicans, or in fact any other in
telligent citizens. would desire in the
name OF politics and for the advance
ment of few individual ambitions.
to invite the return of such condi-
lions as the country passed through
under its last tarif-for-revenue-on
experience.
In the light OF experience no intel
ligent man will be deceived. The
cost of living is high, but there are
a number OF reasons for 1t. 1t will
be well to remember that. no matter
how high 1t is. the workman's din.
ner pail is still full. and that under
the Wilson bill it was empty.
Roosevelt Praises Taft.