The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-01-19
FRANK E. HOWE, Editor and Pub'r
BENNINGTON, VT, JAN. 10. 1912
GOOD TARIFF DOCTRINE

obliged to criticise the action of the
members of the Vermont delegation
in Congress on some of the great
public questions of the day. During
the past two or three years we have
felt that they were too friendly to
the old stand pat crowd led by Al
drich in the Senate and Cannon in
the House, but the other day Con
gresham Plumley made statement
on the tariff question that The Ban
ner thoroughly believes in. In speak
ing to a Republican member Of the
House ways and means committee
Mr. Plumley said
"In my opinion, what the repuDll
can minority of your committee
should do in the matter Of bill re
adjusting the tariff on wool is this:
Prepare a substitute bill for that to
be recommended by the majority, in
which you should scale down all the
wooden duties as far as possible and
yet maintain the essential principle
Of protection. Go as far as possible
in the downward path of reduction in
the common interest, only stopping
when the principle OF protection is
endangered. Every republican sup
posedly wishes to reserve the pro-
tective principle. but the people de-
mand lower duties and this we can
give them without sacrificing that
principle. Therefore, let the repub-
lican party, as represented in Con-
gress, offer the country real and
effective downward revision from the
protective point of view, which will
be satisfactory to ALL Prove to the
people that the republican party is
ready to give them all they seek, all
they ask for and all they need, and
the future OF the party is safely as
sured"
Here is outlined the sensible
course for the Republican party. Re
publicans should remember the his
tory OF the United States and especi-
ally the history of other political
parties From the days OF Jefferson
and Madison down to 1860, the Demo
cratic party was in control most Of
the time The overwhelming major
lty of the great middle class Of PEG
pie, in whom the strength of coun
try lies, were Democrats.
Toward the latter end of the per
iod the Democratic party went rapid
ly down hill Evils of many sorts at
tached themselves to the party II
power. 1t went into partnership will
the slave power, its leaders becam'
arrogant and selfish, II failed to hee'
the wishes of the people. It's late
administrations were weak. and puer
lie, worse than the country ever hat
before or has had since. Gradual.
the great rank and file OF the middle
classes were driven out of the Demo
cratic party and went over to the Re
publican party. newly formed and higl
in ideals and craftsmanship.
Now for fifty years, the Republican
party has been mostly II
power and stands today abou
as the Democratic party di
In the days OF Franklin Pierce
The Republicans are still in an owe
whelming majority but unrest an
dissatisfaction prevades the ranks
and scores of thousands of homes
sincere patriotic voters are on tn
point OF deserving the Republica
party unless that party shakes itsel
loose from it's stand-pat idols an
takes hold with a strong hand to az
complish those things which tn
great, honest and sincere middl
class OF the country demand.
Government by lawsuit and injun'
ton is a farce, or at best but tempol
izing with the devil. The powers Q
privilege have usurped the function
OF government. The exploitation Q
the wealth and prosperity OF tn
country for the benefit OF the FEY
must be stopped.
There is no great reason for conf
dence In the Democratic party. II
Commanded and Tammanyized min
ions sold out that great man ant
great president, Grover Cleveland II
1894 It's heresies of free trade. banl
guarantee and weakening OF centra
authority are enough to brighten ever!
workingman. and the small busl
ness man who thinks Cor himself. bu
the voters are getting ready to taxi
the chance and turn control over 4
the Democrats with all their error
and weakness. unless the Republ
cans cease leaving undone thos
things they ought to do and dom
the things they ought not to do.
Congressman Plumley has brayel'
and fairly outlined the first step. |
is the step desired by the moderate
middle classes OF both parties. Their
is no serious difference Of opinion be
tween the great masses of homes
sqiiare.deal loving Democrats and th'
same classes of Republicans. Thes'
classes of Democrats are afraid o
the Tammany end of their party ant
Of the Impractical theories of some o
their southern FIRE eaters. just thu
same as conservative Republican,
abhor the trust partnership connec