Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-09-02
Reform Moves On.

Tariff reform and currency reform
are moving on, slowly but steadily,
and with certainty of triumph. The
tariff bill as it passed the house was
a splendid measure-the best that the
country has seen since the war. 1t
gives more relief to the taxpayers
than any previous democratic meas
ure would have given. This, however,
is only natural, because tariff bills,
like other bills, reflect public sentl-
ment and public sentiment today is
ready for more radical reduction
than would have been possible thir
ty, twenty, or even ten, years ago.
But the senate, instead of emascu-
lating the bill, as previous senates
have done, has actually improved it,
and, as reported by the finance COM
mittee, it is better than when it pass
ed the house. 1t is difficult to over
state the credit which the democratic
leaders of the senate deserve for the
manner in which differences have
been harmonized and the entire par
ty brought to the support of the bill.
1t is sure now that on final passage
not more than two democratic sena-
tors will oppose the bill, and it will
not be surprising if, when the roll
is called, even the senators from
Louisiana vote AYE" on the theory
that, taken as a whole, the bill will
bring more benefit to their constitu-
ents by the reductions made, than
free sugar can do harm.
While the democrats of the SEN
ate and house have done their duty
manfully, the president deserves
large amount of credit for the firm
stand he has taken in favor of a
reduction that will be substantial and
far-reaching in it's effect. The coun-
try is beginning to realize what 1t
means to have a peoples president
"a champion in the White House who
has the courage to fight their battles
for them, and who knows not the
word surrender"
The currency bill is not as far ad-
vanced as the tariff bill, but it is
steadily gaining ground. The meas
ure favored by the president is un-
der consideration in both houses and
there is now little doubt of its pass
age. In fact it is likely to have a
larger majority in both houses than
the tariff bill. The tariff measure
must rely largely upon democratic
votes for it's success because it is
more purely a party issue; but party
lines are likely to be disregarded to
some extent in the vote upon the
currency question: the bill will gain
more republicans than it loses demo
Gratis.
Let the readers of The Commoner
keep in mind three things:
First-The bill recognizes the SOW
ereign right of the government to is
sue money.
Second-The bill provides that the
people, through their governmental
agents, shall regulate the issue OF
the currency provided for. This
gives protection from selfish use
of the regulating power
Third-The bill extends to state
and national banks alike the help
which the federal government offers
in times of emergency.
If the details of the bill can be
regarded as foothills, these three pro-
visions stand out like mountain peaks.
If the people can secure the three
advantages named above, they can
afford to accept any details that
majority of the senate and house may
write into the bill. A detail can be
changed when experience shows 1t to
be unwise, but a change in funda-
mental principle is more difficult. The
more this bill is studied the more
widespread will be the feeling that
never since the civil war have the
sidered in the framing of a money
measure.
And to the president must be the
thanks for having thrown the ire
mendous weight of his influence on
the peoples side. 1t Is probable that
the fact that he is an eastern man
has enabled him to do more than
western or southern man could have
done under the same circumstances.
The Wall street crowd is not able to
excite the same fear of him that 1t
has successfully endeavored to arouse
against those who live beyond the
Alleghenies and south of the Potomac.
Let us rejoice that times, condi-