Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-09-28
LeQiSldtinq MtelliQentW

Ever since the founding of this republic congress
has passed laws, the effect Of which has been entirely
problematca at the time Of their enactment. Our
law making has been a sort of hit and miss affair
If law has CHANGED to be good one the party
responsible for its enactment has been audedd for
its consummate craftsmanship. If it has caused dis.
aster the contrary has been said.
Many people take sides on public questions not
because they really know much about them but
because their party takes certain stand Most OF
us the slaves of tradition. The platitudes OF
Thomas Jefferson still as sacred as the ten com
mandments to many democrats We are apt to for
get that:
New occasions teach duties
Time makes ancient good uncouth"
AS long there were unlimited opportunities to
get free land, as long as there west to go to
it really didn't matter much what congress did, The
country was bound to grow and prosper, just the
same. panic was serious inconvenience, but now
the free land has been practically taken up the
has been settled 1t matters more what congress
does The country can't afford panic as well it
could in the good old days. The massing Of popl
lation in the cities has made it totally necessary that
industries shall be kept going If factories forced
to close down thousands of people out of employ
nent and on the verge Of starvation with no other
work to turn tor no west to go to. During the
panic of 1907 the length of bread lines in large
cities appalling
1t is an undsputed fact that legislation relating
to the tariff banking, corporations will affect the
prosperity of the country, either benefcally adj
versely. Heretofore, when the republican party
successful, it assumed that the policy of protec
ton had triumphed, and when the democrats were
victorious it taken for granted that the tariff
would be reduced There are many republicans who
believe that protective tariff is essential to the
existence of our industries, not because they really
know that is fact but because the idea has become
a sort of second nature to them And the attitude
of free trade democrats is exaelly analogous.
1t is about time that we cease basng our laws on
tmeworn patitudes and theoretical assumptions. We
can't afford any longer to base laws guesses.
That is what the democrats have done framing the
Underwood tariff bi-a bill framed in secret caucus
and then stean-rolered through congress. If they
pass banking law enact antitrust legislation in
the same haphazard way there will be trouble.
Political economists have long recognized the
necessity for thorough investigation to ascertain
facts before passing any law. In Germany laws
enacted until facts have been fully ascertained.
They know there what the effect OF a law will
be. 1t is guess with them. And that is the reason
why Germany leads the world in industrial efficiency.
The republican party recognizes the need of tariff
Gates it's creation. The republican party also sees
the necessity for impartial investigations before
amending the antitrust law. This policy must appeal
to every intelligent voter the only reasonable way
to legslate.