New-York tribune., 1914-03-02
HlIJES CALLS TARIFF AND
INCOME TAX SECTIONAL

living that is being reduced. but the num-
Der Of wage-earners AT work. Serious in
jury will be necessarily wrought TO the
American gar-grOwing industry In the
Philippines, I'm Hawaii. In Porto Rico, in
Louisiana and I'm the sugar-beet states
as the result OF the abolition OF the i'm
port tax on Sugar-a duty which was 50
small per capita as to be felt by no one
and which was abolished merely as a
for the claim that the new tariff law
would reduce the cost Of living.
Compare the straightforward plank in the
Republican platform OF 1912 with respect
to the causes underlying the advanced
cost Of commodities with the plank in
the Baltimore convention. We told the
cold. scientific truth. while the Democrats
PLAYED politics They have revised the
tariff. and the cost OF living is higher now
than II was year ago. The Democrats
I'm power are discovering what we pointed
out-that the cost OF living is the result
of manifold forces, not confined TO this
country, but world wide in operation. and
that merely shifting the burden of taxa
1t may be that no untoward conse-
quences will flow from the reduction in
duties; certainly no benefits have as Yet
accrued 10 the people by reason OF the
change in rates to compensate for the
halting OF business occasioned by uncer-
tainties regarding Democratic policies.
During the brief year of its reign the
Democratic party has found it necessary
10 recant four OF its solemn pledges TO
the people. one Of which was the adoption
of a currency bill as different from the
Aldrich bill as day is from night. The
Baltimore platform was shaped and fash
toned by Mr.. Bryan. Its adoption was
postponed until after Mr.. Wilson's nomi-
nation. for the express purpose of secur-
ing the approval Of the candidate.
Baltimore Platform Set Aside.
1t was declared TO be the greatest state
ment OF principles ever put forth by n
party. 1t contained q ringing declsra ton
in favor OF free Panama Canal for Amer
lean ships, and pledged the Democratic
party TO that stand This position has been
abandoned. and President Wilson is lead
ing crusade against giving any such
assistance TO the ships that sail under
the Stars and Stripes. Even those who
applaud Mr.. Wilson's stand in compelling
his party to repeal legislation thought to
be offensive 10 the y-Pauncefote treaty
cannot but dwell upon the contrast be
tween that course and his evasion OF the
female suffrage question upon tho grounds
that IL was not in the platform.
Another platform declaration was that
in favor OF making public all indorse-
ments for judicial positions. The country
had tho right 10 know. so the platform
stated, who were the men who recon-
nended TO the President the different can
didates for places on the bench. The
Democratic party. in fun power has dis
carded this proposition and by its votes
has defeated an effort to write such re-
Quirement into the law.
The fourth plank which has be
come obsolete Is the one in favor OF
single term for the President Its ex-
istence has been entirely forgotten. No
Democrat thinks of IL. unless Mr.. Bryan
reverts 10 IT, and the men
ton Of IT brings forth nothing but a smile.
Time" observes Colonel Harvey, may
obiterate single-term marks upon quickly
growing trees"
From the standpoint OF craftsmanship
the most serious blot upon Mr.. Wilson's
administration was his signing the sun
dry civil bill. carrying n rider eXempting
certain classes from the operation OF
law The effect was TO forbid the appli-
cation OF the appropriation TO the prose
cution OF labor unions or farmers ALI
snces. IT il "a disappointing method OF
dealing with the subject on the part OF
Congress. yielded To by the President TO
curry favor with class Of tho com
munity supposed TO control a large num-
Der OF votes.