The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-30

cans Tor Lending Aid In Passage of
Tariff Revision Bills-Thinks Con.
gress Should Have Quit After Pass.
ing ReciprOcity-Speech Before G..
o. p. Club Believed Opening Gun
in Presidential Campaign of 1912.
Hamilton. Mass, Aug. 26.-Presi-
dent Taft began the Presidential cam
paign Of 1912 here today, his friends
believe. In a speech that breathed
defiance. he scored the "insurgept"
members Of the Republican party in
Congress and the Democrats. who
combined to revise several schedules
of the tariff at the special session just
closed.
He singled out Senator LaFollette.
Winconsin; Speaker Clark and Chair
man Underwood. Of the House ways
and means committee. as leaders Of
the attempted revision. He indicated
that he regarded the proposed revis-
ion as injudicious and dangerous to
business. but made 1t plain that II
the tariff board in December reports
that downward revision Of the cotton
and wool schedules should be made
he will recommend It.
Standing on the board terrace Of
Congressman A. p. Gardeners farm,
with Senator Lodge and other Massa-
chusetts Republican leaders. the Pres
ident addressed 500 members of the
Essex County Republican Club. Their
cheers were loud and long.
President Taft in part said:
The extra session Of =, -. gress was
called for the purpose Of passing the
Canadian reciprocity. which 1t did by
support made Of votes from both
parties. Our Democratic friends
were not content to allow the session
to pass with the accomplishment OF
the purpose for which It was called.
They assisted-most Of them-in the
passage Of the reciprocity bill be-
cause they believed In its usefulness.
However. having pursued a purely
course with reference
to reciprocity. they did play poll
tics OF the most irresponsible char
Acter. In reference to three tariff bills,
which by uniting with certain Repub-
licans In the Senate. they were able
TO pass and present to the Executive
for his signature"
Continuing, President Taft stated
that he recognized the general de-
mand for a reduction Of duties con-
sistent with maintenance Of a meas
ure Of protection that shall enable the
industries OF the country to live.
Adding that the time Of the Chi
nese wall and difference in cost Of
production here and abroad has
passed. he said the Republican party
was now under an obligation to carry
through revision Of the tariff which
shall meet the popular demand; that
when the tariff board shall make its
report in December. on wool and cot
ton. he expected to submit to Con-
gress recommendation based on the
report for a revision on both sched-
u,es.
Il have already expressed my opin-
len that the wool schedule Is too
hiCh." continued the President; that
IT has prevailed for so many years
that 1t ought to be revised and is the
subject Of complaint, not only to con-
sumers. but also by those who are en-
gagged in the industries affected. So
far can help 1t, however, no such
revision will take place unless it Is
made with n full knowledge Of the
facts as found by an impartial inves-
tigation.
THE public will have ample time
calmly to consider and decide wheth-
er they desire to put into power gem
tlemen leading a party. who, while
processing n wish for facts and infor-
nation, SO as to make tariff legislation
as just as possible. no sooner have
the opportunity than pass their meas
ures. with the old ignorance Of the
facts. with the same political mo-
uves and with the same difference
as TO the exact operations OF the du-
ties imposed, IA they themselves
severely criticised In others respOn-
sible for tariff legislation"
Gov Elnls. hla Annnlnlnd l. r.