Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-11-23
SMITH TALKS
ABOUT TARIFF
Il Am And Have Always Been
A Tariff-FOr-R Only
Democrat"

In an interview United States Senator
John Walter Smith expressed himself
strongly concerning the big question of
tariff revision and also made plain his
attitude toward special session Of Con-
gress.
my conviction u.s." said Senator
Smith. that in this question of spe-
cial session, as well as in the whole big
question of tariff revision. the wise and
reasonable thing to do is to wait until
Governor Wilson himself makes known
his views. Until he announces his own
attitude and belief it seems to me there
is little use in specializing upon the mat
ter or in getting unduly excited over it.
"When Governor Wilson does made
known his views, in my opinion. it will
be the duty Of all Democrats to accept
them and put their whole heart into
carrying them out. Speaking for my
self. have no hesitation in saying that
that is exactly what propose to do.
81 am in complete accord with Gov
ernor Wilson so far as he has make
known his attitude toward the tariff,
and | am in absolute harmony with
every utterance and every promise made
in the Democratic platform on that sub
ject. stand with my party on the
tariff and will stand there.
II am aware that there has been some
criticism-exceedingly unfair and unjust
criticism. ! think-of my vote on the
tariff in the past. All care to say is
that have never voted to increase the
tariff on any article. II it were posi-
BILE, would like to see the tariff re-
moved altogether. but am not foolish
enough to think-and | do not believe
there are many persons left in the coun-
try who do-that free trade is now Il
possibility.
1--WE must have revenue to run the
Government, and the only means at
present by which that revenue can be
raised is through tariff. A tariff of
any sort means protection.
"As we must have tariff, want
that tariff to be as low as possible. and
| want what protection such a tariff
gives to be as equitably and fairly dis
tributed as possible and not confined to
any one section of the country.
II am tariff for-revenue-o Dem
ocrat and always have heen. So far as
my vote on the lumber schedule is con-
cerned. my enemies have intimated pref
ty plainly that voted to further my
own personal and selfish interests. My
enemies are welcome to this belief. If
they are right. then | am, indeed. a
contemplate public official. unworthy
Of the consideration of honest men.
my friends know better. So do my
colleagues in the Senate. They know
that would leave the Senate sooner
than violate the sanctity of my oath,
lose my self-respect. stultiiy my con-
science and shame those whom love
and whom will leave behind me when
am gone.
I'm my vote on the tariff followed
the lead of Senators Daniel. of Virginia;
Money. of Mississippi: Tillman, of South
Carolina: Bacon. of Georgia. and other
distinguished Southern Democrats. ]
stood with them on every proposition to
reduce the tariff on lumber. invaria-
bly, voted TO decrease the tariff on lum-
Der and never increase it. The tariff on
lumber now is only per cent. and this
is a reduction of from toto so per cent.
for which reduction | voted. On every
serious proposition to reduce the tariff |
stood with the majority of my Demo-
cratic colleagues.
IL have no apologies TO make for my
vote on the lumber schedule or for any
other vote which have east since be-
came member of the United States
Senate, nor am ashamed of any vote
| have cast there or of any stand have
there taken.
''In his efforts to carry out the
pledges made in the Democratic plat
form and in revising the tariff down
ward Governor Wilson will have the
strongest support ] am capable OF Civ
ing.