The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-01-21

administration and especially upon our noble chief
executive, who we all must admit is most capable
man and giant of intelligence.
Let us follow the example of one of our noble
diplomats when he said IN congress, quarrel with
principles and not with men," 1 think it especially
important. in dealing with subject of this kind
that we bear in mind, and whatever difference of
opinion there may be with reference to the merits or
dement's of the tariff we should discuss it from the
standpoint Of principle rather than of personalities
do not wish to burden you, fellow MEMBERS
with prolonged argument of the varied schedules
that might be brought to light this question, but
would rather devote the inadequate time allotted me
in discussion of the effect of protective tariff upon
that class of American citizenship the bone and
sinew. might say of our body polite the Ameri-
can laborer.
Whenever the question of tariff is raised the
general public jumps to the conclusion that it is
simply fight between the two great political part
les. republican and democratic. The former for tar
f and the latter for free trade but allow me to say
that although occasionally find free trader
within the ranks of the democratic party the rank
and file of the party do not favor the doctrine of
free trade. There never has been platform of
national convention, since the organization of the
theories. There has been a tariff bill enacted
into law by the democratic party, that has not ia
vored the doctrine of tariff for revenue as opposed
to tariff levied along free trade lines such as the
revenue of Great Britain, Therefore the true dis
tncton between the two great parties of this Coun-
try, to my mind. is the difference between pro-
hbitive tariff and competitive tariff
l am in favor of prohibtive tariff that will give
a. ho, Jor -
the United States enjoyed following the passage of
the Dingley tariff bill which brought great blessings
and remained in full force and with undminished
powers until the unavoidable panic of Pres Roose-
velt's reign, the bghting ravages of which were so
speedily and effectively checked by the wise. sane
businesslike and apparently provdential action of
the administration in power at that time.
l am in favor of protection because 1 want to
hear the hum of the wheels of American industry.
want to smell the smoke of commercial activity.
want to hear the rumbling of factory and mill, I
want to know that away down in the bowels of the
earth amid the CRIME and smoke and dirt and dust,
there will be found the light hearted we'll paid con-
tented American wage Garner that is to be found in
more favorable employment, and with less arduous
duties to perform.
/ want the American laboring to be the best
paid, the best clad and the most contented of his
class that can be found anywhere upon the face of
the earth. He has received under protective tariff
from two to five times much in exchange for his
hire is received by any like person in this broad
universe and he has been receiving this high wage
since the adoption of the Dingley tariff BILL
The laboring who remembers the doleful
years from 1898 to 1897 needs argument to con-
vince him that the policy of protection is. when
compared with the system which made those days a
to the American manhood and womanhood,
the most blessed and the most benefcent system
ever adopted by man for the benefit of his kind.
The enemies of the protective tariff, fill the air
with bitter vndictive and partisan rant because a
tax levied the breakfast table necessities such
as tea and coffee. will not say that am in favor
of tariff and coffee but want to call atten
ton to the indisputabe fact that there was not a
laboring in this country from 1898 to 1897 who
would not have been willing to pay five times the
price he pays for cup of good coffee or tea in
exchange for the privilege of receiving employment
at half the wage he now receives. 1t was not mat
ter of cost of coffee and in those days but mat
ter of bread and butter and the wherewhal to pur-
chase them.
believe in protection because it affords greater
opportunities to all classes of citizenship than
free trade or tariff for system possibly
give.
There has never been time in this country from
it's very foundation to the present time, when tariff
for revenue policy in existence that the country
did not suffer commercial paralysis; and there
never was time following the adoption of pro-