The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-04-09

action will save us from n final, hard
disqualification of monopoly and "A COM
plcte loss of the influences that
quicken enterprise and keep indcpcnd-
ent energy alive,
1t is plain what those principles
must be. We must abolish cvcry-
thing that bears eve the scmblancc
of privilege or of any lind of artificial
advantage, and put u business men
and producers under the stimulation
of a constant necessity to be efficient.
economical and cnterprising, masters
of competitive supremacy. better
workers and merchants thar any in
the world. Aside from the duties laid
upon articles which we do not, and
probably cannot, produce, therefore,
and the duties laid upon ~uXuries and
merely for the sake of the revenues
they yield, the object of the tariff
duties henccforth laid must be eff
fectiVe competition, the Whctting of
American wits by contest with the
wits of the rest Of the world.
1T would he unWiSc to move toward
this end hcadlong, with reckless haste,
or with strokes that cut at the very
roots of what has grown up amongst
us by long process and at our w
invitation. 1t docs not alter a thing
to upset it and break it and deprive
it of a chance to change, 1t destroys
it. We must make changes in Il
fiscal laws, in our fiscal system, whose
object is development, a more free n
wholesome development, not rcVolu-
ton or upset or confusion. we must
build up trade, especially foreign
trade. We need the outlet and the
enlarged field of energy more than we
ever did before. We must build up
industry as well, and must adopt
freedom in the place of artificial
build. not pull down. In dealing with
the tariff the method by which this
may be lone will be a matter of
judgment, exercised item by item. To
some not accustomed to the excite
ments and responsibilities Of greater
freedom our methods may in some
respects and at some points seem
heroic, but remedies may be heroic
and yet be remedies. 1t is our bust
ness to make sure that they are gen
uinc remedies. our object is clear.
If our motive is above Just challenge
and only an occasional error Of jud 6
mcnt is chargcablc against us, we
shall be Fortunate,
I'VE are called upon to render tho
country a great service in mor'' mat
tcrs than one. our responsibility
should be met and our methods hould
be thorough, as thorough as moderate
and well considered, based upon the
facts as they are, and not worked
out as if we We're beginners. We are
to deal with the facts Of our WI day,
with the facts Of no other, and to
make laws which square with those
facts. 1t is best, indeed it is neccs-
sary, to begin with the tariff. ! will
urge nothing upon you now at the
opening of your session which can
obscure that first object or divert our
energies from that clearly defined
duty. At a later time ! may take the
liberty Of calling your attention to re-
forms which should press close upo
the heels of the tariff changes, if not
accompany them, of which the cnier
is the reform of our banking and cur
rcncy laws; but just now | refrain.
For the present, | put these matters
on one side and think only of this
one thing-of the changes in our fis-
cal system which may best serve to
open once more the free channels of
prosperity to a great people whom We
would serve to the utmost and
throughout both rank n file"