The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-06-27
Progressive Republicans.

Progressive Republicans.
Many of the leading newspapers of
the country are losing faith in the
pretentions Of the so-called progress
sive Republicans and well they
might. The New York World says
Northwestern Republicans who rage
at Canadian reciprocity as injurious
to farmers and threaten in revenge
TO pull down the tariff temple do not
exhibit themselves in an admirable
light. They have been demanding
tariff reform for more than a gen
Grafton. They have known from the
beginning that agriculture was the
victim and not the beneficiary Of Gus
tom-house taxation. Yet when the
test has come they have voted more
solidly for privilege than Wall street
ever did"
This is a pretty severe Indictment,
but we are sorry to say the facts bear
it out. The World goes on to say
that ''if the representatives of these
people in the United States Senate
mean what they say, they will soon
find an opportunity to do something
worth while. They will not be asked
to destroy temples Or demolish Gus
but to consider soberly
the bill which passed the Democratic
House recently reducing taxes upon
wool and woolens. Will they follow
the few courageous Republicans in
that body who have blazed the way
for them, or will they as usual hold
back?"
This measure is aimed at what ex-
Senator Aldrich called the very cita-
del Of the tariff. 1t corrects sched-
ules which Mr.. Taft refers to as in
defensible. It is a redemption by the
Democrats of promises made to the
people in the campaign Of 1908 by
Republicans. 1t is per-
fectly reasonable attempt to reduce
the cost Of living. Therefore the
Progressive Republicans, If they want
to help reform the tariff, should
stand shoulder to shoulder with the
honest Democrats and push this
measure through. the Senate. The
question is will they do it. Time alone
will tell.
AS the World says there would
have been no insurgent Republicans
In the Senate to-day if they had not
convinced the people of the North
west of their hostility to trusts.
Canadian reciprocity deprives the
and Paper Trusts Of some Of
their ylunder, and the proposed new
wool tariff takes the eXtortion out of
the trust taxes on clothing, blankets
and carpets. Why not begin he-e?
Unless the so-called Progressive Re-
publicans of the West unite in sup
port of su.h reforms, wherein do they
differ from the gilded old guard and
The crusted stand-patters?
The situation Is one that calls for
action rather than menace; for con-
;tructive legislation rather than re-
renge and obstruction. Honorable
zen in both parties who have never
oaraded their progressiveness are
in behalf of wider mark
sts, lower taxes and the. control of
trusts. In this laudable effort the
most vehement opposition that has
yet been encountered has appeared,
we are sorry to say, in the ranks of
the ostentatious progressiyes Of the
Senate.
Northwestern Republicanism has
lone little but bluster and threaten
IN the tariff question for forty years.
No matter how much it protested, it
has meekly accepted what the Kel-
eys, McIlinleys, Dingleys, Aldriches
and Paynes imposed upon it. Most
If it's spokesmen in the Senate, noisi-
y pretending to be something else,
ire in fact truly representative of
his spirit of submission, not. to say
'ubserviency. They are mighty in
.hreats but they do not vote against
Elected as reformers, the boastful
are breeding panics
among those who are conscientiously
promoting reform. Sworn foes of
monopoly, the trusts now find in them
heir greatest aid and comfort" This
S all true, and because it is true we
We have lost all faith in the social
ID Progressive Republicans. Most of
hem are mere buffers, and nothing
,lse.