Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-11-02
Twenty Questions for WiIson.

Twenty Questions for WILSON.
To the Editor of the Evening Star
Sir-The following is a copy of 9
letter sent by me to Governor Will
son:
'"The voters at the coming election
r entitled to know exactly where
you stand on various questions, ant
I have found it impossible to get q
satisfactory answer from your writ.
ings, your speeches, your paid adj
vertisements or your platform. The
situation is made worse by the fact
that you have stated that your plat
form is not your program. We want
to know your program, and I beg,
therefore, that you will, as early az
possible, answer definitely the fol-
lowing questions;
I'D Are you in favor of free trade?
"(2) Are you in favor Of a tariff
for revenue only?
"(3) If, the necessities for revenue
should be doubled would it be wise
to double the tariff?
I'D If the government should hap
pen to get its entire necessities from
an unexpected increase from internal
revenue would you abolish the
tariff? If not why not, if tariff
is for revenue only?
"(5) Should not the tariff be es-
tablished with reference to trade
and manufacture rather than with
reference TO government expendi-
tures-a wholly disconnected mat
ter?
"(6) In your speech last night you
say: All we have to do to know
Governor Wilson's position on the
tariff is to be able to read the Eng
lish language, but for those who are
curious or cannot read English I will
explain my views again. In the first
place / have not heard a single
thoughtful Democrat declare for free
trade. I have heard every Democrat
declare for a policy going through
all the schedules of the tariff and
finding all the illegitimate, concealed
privileges and cutting every. one of
them out, leaving absolutely safe
every sound and h%ealthful fiber of
American business
THAT you put up as a clear state
ment of your views on the tariff
mere hearsay as to other Democrats
views. Is there anything in that for
which you could be held responsible
for non-fulhlment? What are ill
legitimate, concealed privileges?' I
understand the English language,
and I can only form a very vague
idea of what you mean. I have
with many thoughtful Demo-
and l never heard even one
mention that idea, much less every
one.
20 Is a concealed privilege any
worse in the end than an open. one?
"(8) Is it possible to have a tariff
without some privilege to the indus
tries in that line already established?
"(9) On what principle do you pro-
pose to fix the tariff rates, and what
connection has that principle with
the welfare Of the industry affect
ed, n what relation has it to COM
petition with foreign products of the
same class in American or foreign
markets?
Our manufacturers and their en-
ployees want to know definitely what |
you propose to do to theft business.
With them it is a serious matter of
bread and butter. to which airy per-
and glittering g~eneralities do
lot give sufficient answer.
900 State and city bosses are inn |
factors in national affairs.
We know where you stand with ref
,rence to Smith of New Jersey.
How do you stand with reference
Murphy?
"11) Have you said anywhere that
you did not want his support?
"G2) Silence on your part gives
he adherents of a Democratic boss
he impression that the boss will
more power after your cleo
ion, thereby making him a greater
for evil. Have you said any
where hat you did not want the sup
,ort of Taggart, of Indiana?
"QS) The real parties in this coun-
ry being the reactionary and the
progressive, part of each of whom
ire Democrats and part Of each Of
whom were Republicans. you seem
o have united in n party. the re-
dictionaries and the progressives, who
re really miles further apart than
he Republicans and the Democrats
.ver were. The Republican reaction
Iries are viciously against the Pro-
yressive party because it is progress
We. You claim to be a progressive.
I you really are, how do you account
or the fact that reactionary Demo-
are willing to go along
''q4) The Progressive platform is q
+~istinct, clear contract. Any man
Who accepts office under it and does
further any one of its clauses of
.greement can be definitely held re-
ponsible and be repudiated politically
Or a breaking of definite promises.
$ there anything in your speeches or
writings since you were noml-
ated for which you can be clearly
cid responsible for any action what
yer that you might take as President
( the United States, in case you were
I cannot find one.
"(15) At your meeting here last Mon