The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-18
BY CHARLES ID. HiIIaEs,
Chairman Republican National Com

BY CHARItEsS ID. HAAAtTSr
Chairman Republican National Com
mittce.
NEW YORK, Sept. l1--Shalt we
uphold the constitution and the pro-
tectiye policy These are the two
important issues of this campaign. ths
two which are gradually forcing
themselves on the attention OF the
American people. Theodore Roosevelt
stands for what amounts to an over
throw of the constitution. and WOOD
row Wilson would destroy the pro-
tectise tariff policy. under which the
United States has SO greatly pros
rered. and attained 10 wealth and
Importance undreamed OF a few de-
cades ago.
President Taft is both protection
fst and a reyisionist. He was the
first leading Republican TO declare for
q thorough revision OF the tariff
schedules. This he did at Bath. Me.
two years before he was nominated
for the presidency. President Roose-
welt, who read MFR. Taft's speech be-
fore 1t was delivered, warned him
that he was treading on delicate
ground. and that he would make a
host of enemies, but with that fear
iessness which has always charac~
terixed him where matters OF Trin-
cipie were concerned. Mr.. Taft de-
1fvered an address in which he OK
pressed his exact sentiments and
braved the luminosity Of the stand
pat element of his party.
Roosevelt Always Silent.
During the seven years OF his I'd
ministration. MFR. Roosevelt remained
silent on the subject OF the tariff.
On the one occasion when he beca me
convinced that ii was his duty to
urge congress to revise the Itngiey
law. and inserted In an annual meg
sage promise of special message
on the subject. Mr.. Rooseyeits friends
In congress went to the White House
and pointed out the danger to his
popularity ~ attempting to change
the duties. and Mr.. Roosevelt prompt
IL caused to be stricken from his
message which had been printed, but
not yet published. the passage re-
ferring to the tariff.
No sooner had Mr.. Taft been In
augurated president, than re called
congress In special session to revise
the tariff. and during the rpnsldera-
ton Of the measure framed At that
session, all his influence was exerted
10 secure an equitable adjustment of
the rates.
But during that session Mr.. Taft
Iouhu tnat IL was Impossible to Sc
care a lust or satisfactory revision
Of the tariff without definite and I'm
partial information on which to base
such revision. He found the widest
differences of opinion as to what con-
stituted the difference between The
cost Of production at home and
abroad, to which difference the Re-
publican party was pledged to make
the duties conform. and whatever
might be his personal views he had
no proof. no unauestioned evidence by
which to prove his contSations
The Tariff BOARD.
The great essential. therefore. the
president determined. was TO pro-
vide board or commission, by
partisan in character Ii possible. as
Tree from politics as possible. which
would taise un the Industries which
enjoy protection. Investigating the
cost Of production here and abroad.
and report both to the president ard
r. congress that difference, in terms
which would make evident the rates
81 duty which should be imposed. |
And for the foundation OF such a |
board the Payne tariff bin provided:
and for that reason above all others. |
the president signed It.
The correctness OF hts views In |
fhis respect has been amply demon
strated by the Democratic attempts 70 |
revise the tariff during the last two
sessions.