Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-01-19

WILSON, - OeinE Zoo fnutcaf may pe
tempted TO change their opinions after
reading bis admirable address on the
tariff deiiverea TO the National DEM
ociatic club in New York. While
he IL very emphatic in his eondem-
nation Of the prossctivs principle,
his tariff program could be put into
effect without any such serious die
turbance Of business as some persons
profess, to fear. He 10 conservative.
He does not favor sudden and sweep
lag changes 10 the schedules, but
rather gradual readjustmentc Ct duties
until the desideratum OF tarlff for
revenue is reached. awe must move
from step to step,n he said, "sith as
much prudence 40 resolution
The Democratic view OF .,protec-
ton" he defines clearly aud convinc-
isgly-a policy which has benefited the
few at the expense Of the many. When
the country was In its infancy there
was much to be said in favor of a
system of artificial stimulation aud
protection, but long after that period
was passed, and that rcasos for the
maintenance OF the system cut away,
cit was maintained upon other the
sries and with other purposes until
II has become an incubus upon not
emily the consumer but upon the bust.
ness OF the country. It has developed
and fostered the powerful monopoiies
and trusts which are now universally
condemned.
Governor Wilson showed that cap
italistic combinations, in order to in
sure control Of production, take In In
fer'or or Anticipated properties ut fig
ures largely exceeding their real values
aud then sbondon them Their mani
puIation OF prices In order to earn divl.
6ends upon the cost Of their operating
properties, the inflated values Of their
abandoned properties, aud all the
water they pour IN besides, is a process
which shows the futility OF anr at
tempt to base duties upon the .'cost Of
production
The Republican party, because It
has been the party II projections, has
been financed N III political cam.
paigns by the beneiiciaries OF its tatllf
policIes Its protective theory has
teen 90 plausibly expounded that Tor
lon time the people have been led
to believe that protection was re
sponsible for the country's prosperity.
Referring 10 this erroneous notion
Governor Wilson says:
The tariff duties have had very little
to do with the rate of wages. The rate
Of wages has depended upon the fair
ness Of the employer, the skill OF the
workingHan, and above all upon the
intelligence OF the Iaborer in looking
after his own intercsts, and ombining
when necessary to see that they were
needed and respected. American
workiagmen are beginning to see that
they were misled as to the genuine
sources Of prosperity and good pay.
Governor Wilson points to the fact
that great o stem Of fsvoritism has
developed, through which the favored
ones have become the masters OF the
government and Of the people alike,
and he insists that the different cIasses
and interests must be brought together
in system which will be fair to all.
Those who regard him as dangerous
dectrisaire should note the fact that
he does not propose sudden change.
He would Immediately revise certain
schedules ~ to which circumstances
have cleared popular conception Of the
facts; others would be approached
gradually, and in aspirit of fairness
aud mutual concession. On this point
Governor Wilson says
There are no old scores to be paid
Off, there are no resentments to be
satisfied there Is no revolution to he
attempted men Of every interest must
be drawn into the conference as 10
what it behooves US to do, and what il
is porsible for us to do. No one should
be excluded from counsel, except those
who will not come In upon terms Of
equality aud the common interest. We
deal with great and delicate matters.
We should deal with them with pure
aud elevated purpose, without fear,
without excitement, without undue
haste, like men dealing with the sacred
fortunes OF great country. and not
like those who play for political adj
vantage or seek to reverse any policy
In their own behalf.