The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-01-13
CONTINUED on page 8.
HARMON WANTS
JACKSON AGAIN
Would Reduce the Tariff
and Bring About Real
Democratic Times

East st. Louis, ILL.,. Jan. 13.-"Oh
Tor an hour of Andrew Jackson
this slogan tiguratively a wish for the
resurrection of the tariff and economy
policies of President jackson sum
married the views of Governor Jud-
son Harmon of Ohio in speech last
mght before the Democratic club
mere: The occasion was a celebration
or the hnndredth anniversary of the
battle of New Orleans in the war of
1912.
jackson urged a gradual reduc-
tlon OF tariff taxes" said the governor,
especially on necessaries at time
Wnen they were levied mainly for rev.
enue. When recently we saw a presi-
dent led, against his just inclination,
10 sign and praise Il tariff bill which
hroke his own and his partys promise
OF reform, aud then In the face of his
express admissions into bills for re-
ductions passed by congress under di-
rect demand Of the voters Of the en-
TIRE country. men everywhere ex-
claimed. as they did in the days of the
Eacillating Buchanan, "Oh- for one
hour of Andrew Jackson" The gov
ernor attacked the financial policy of
the three last Republican administra-
tons as having increased the federal
outlay from one billion dollars aver
age two years to more than a billion
dollars each year.
He devoted most attention, how
ever, to what he described as "One Of
the worst abuses known in history
arranging tariff laws SO as TO unable
Favored manufacturers to collect from
the public much larger sum than
one billion dollars for their own bene-
fit.
According to reliable estimates
ne said. for every dollar the govern
inent receives on articles imported
the favored manufacturer collects
three dollars above the normal of
prices OF like articles from American
consumers. This is in effect farming
out the taxing power.
Now we find the business of the
entire country disturbed and halting
because this wretched system of ia
vor taxes has brought its certain re-
suit. Unnatural competition was
simulated by these and then sup
pressed by the formation Of trusts and
combinations. in order that dividends
might not cease on stock which was
tnan capitallzauon Of the special adj
vantage. Instead of cutting off the
source by reforming the tariff il was
sought to control the stream by for
bidding these trusts and combinations.
1T is significant that the Sherman
antitrust law and the Mckinley tariff
law were under consideration at the
same time and passed at the same ses-
sion. That tariff law went far beyond
earlier laws in the bestowal of spe-
cial favors. There was plain warning
OF its evil effect and the leaders did
not darc face the country on it with
out a law to preventing sitting the
competition from which great benefits
We're promised to the people.
The supreme court first enforced
the antitrust law. 1t was in a pro
ceeding by the government against
the trans Missouri Freight associa-
ton. Soon after 1t did the same in
two other cases against the Joint
Traffic association and the Addyston
and other pipe companies. By these
cases the Democratic attorney gener-
ais office. which ] had the honor to
occupy cleared the way for the gen
eral enforcement of the law for the
government had lost in the cases
which preceded these. There were al
SO pending at the expiration of nv
term Investigations of the beef trust
and others.
Though persistent mis-statements
respecting my course in those matters
would justify it, this reference would
not ne maze II II mad personal bear
ing only. But the Democratic party
is concerned with the conduct OF Of
ficials chosen through its agency. And
1t restores ones faith in the fairness
OF men that former attorney general
and Justice Moody has, in public
speeches, given credit where credit
was due.
But it appeared not to he the pol-
ICY OF the succeeding administra ton
to proceed further against such con-
Germs. So they grew and multiplied
until one was reminded Of the pic
lures where primative man moved
fearfully among monsters. And the
country was made to believe for a
time that this state of things was
prosperity. 1t Is said that an ounce
Of prevention is worth pound of
care. in this instance it would have
been worth ton for the Sherman law
was distinctly a preventive measure.
The first step surely must be to
redeem the tariff from it's perverted
use and restore 1t to its proper place
as revenue measure by gradual re.
ductions so that all concerned NAV
have time to prepare for the change.
With the chief cause Of the trouble
thus removed l believe we shall make
our way safely back to normal con.
ditions,"
GOES TO ALASKA.
Washington. Jan. 1S.-John Nelson
WiSner, formerly superintendent Of