Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1912-10-04
Why Chas. w. Elliot, Of Harvard,
aRepublican, is Supporting Wilson

In letter to the New York Times
dated Asticon, ME-. Sept. 20, DR.
Charles w. Eliot. the venerable Presi
dent Emeritus of Harvard University
says:
"The tariff issue in the present
campaign is clearly defined Presi-
dent Taft holds firmly to the theory
and practice of protection, and that
portion of the Republican party which
gives him some measure of support is
protectionist on practice. The citizen
who believes, as / do. that the exist
Ing tariff prevents the expansion of
American commerce and trade, pro-
tects manufacturing industries from
foreign competition which would be
wholesale for them. supports artificial
monopolies raises the price of many
necessaries of life and keeps the
country as whole exporting the
richness of it's soil rather than the
products of its killed labor can hardly
vote for President Taft, however
much he mny wish to do so because of
respect for his character, resentment
at the injustice with which he has
been treated and liking for his con-
servatism.
1.-The Democratic party, judged by
its recent action, seems likely under
its new leaders to accomplish a judic-
ious and effective reduction in tariff
rates, and indeed is pledged to do SO,
so far as its platform and the words
of it's candidates can pledge it.
THE Progressive party, on the
other hand. cannot be trusted to deal
wisely with the traiff, because its
membership is manly drawn from the
former Republican party, which is
responsible for the existing tariff and
for failure to reduce it, and because
its platform is about as protectionist
as the Republican. Moreover, it's can-
didate, ex-President Roosevelt, has
never shown any acquaintance with
tariff questions, and interest in them
or any comprehension of the disast-
rouseeffects of the tariff on American
industries and on the prices of the
necessaries of life to consumers. His
present utterances on the subject are
contradictory and vague, and yet
likely to mislead the farmers, me-
chanics and operatives from whom he
askes votes.
The platforms of all three parties
are much alike in promising a large
number of social and industrial re-
forms. many of them long known to
be desirable, but some full of Difficult
ties and dangers. The Progressive
party contains numerous social work
ers, ministers, young political re-
formers and other disinterested per-
sons of unquestionable patriotism
who think they can further their var
ious philanthropic purposes by utiliz-
ing the energy and popularity of
Theodore Roosevelt, 1t also contains
men and women who warmly admire
Mr.. Roosevelt's private character
and public career and accept his prof
fered leadership with enthusiastic
devo tion.
"!s over these social and industrial
reforms that on differences of opinion
have arien concerning the right way
of dealing with the obstacles which
Constitutions courts and laws have
placed in the pathway of militant re-
formers; hence the grave constitu-
tional and legal issues in the present
election.
"Since all social changes have in
dustrial and political consequences,
socials reforms like industrial can be
safely effected only by the method of
cautious experiment with adequate
notice and not by the sudden impetu-
GUS rush of an emotional multitude.
The education of new generation is
often needed TO give such reforms
satisfactory effect.
1.-The Democratic party's platform
and candidates while less conserva-
tive than the Republican hold out
more hope or expectation of wise
dealing with the reforms proposed
than the Progressive party's do In
particular the published sayings of
Gov. Wilson are much more prudent
and measured in regard to the propos-
ed changes than those of ex-President
Roosevelt. Indeed, Gov. Wilson's
temperament knowledge and exper-
fence fit him to deal wisely as Presi-
dent of the United States with all
these philanthropic projects.
"The coming troublous years will
call TO fairness sober judgment and
quiet resolution in the executive head
of the Government. Gov. Wilson'S
career gives many indications that he
possesses the qualities. Through
thirty years of public life ex President
Roosevelt has proved to the American
people that these are not his charac-
teristics.