Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-03-29

sard 10 tariff problems in all their pbase.
win power to inquire into matters ~
cost, production and labor conditions 4,
TINS and In other countries. We declare
mat such reports as come from this com
mission should he the basis of future ,ev-
isiation on the tariff, and that such legis-
iation shall have due regard for the nm
oamentai principals OF the American
economic system.
we reassert our endorsement OF the Me-
hiniey and Blaine policy OF reciprocal
trade. The democratic tariff now in force
mas proven inadequate either to protect
american industry or to provide sufficier.
revenue Ior the support Of the govern
ment. We denounce 1t as discriminatory
ssainst the welfare and the prosperity of
New England, especially Maine.
we assert that previous to the outbreak
Oh the European war the operations OF
TINS tarin had begun with telling effect to
discourage enterprise, paraIyze business,
reduce wages and shut down mills and
factories. The war in Europe created new
ana abnormal lines OF business at home
'ahd sci up obstacles to the importation of
goods from foreign countries in compe-
ution with goods Of our own MANN
iacturers direct to degree that amounted
to practical protection. When this
business arising from the war is at an end
and the obstacles to commerce are removed
by the declaration of peace, and the re-
sumption OF commerce, the disastrous eff
iects OF the democratic tariff, il it be per-
mitted to continue, will again be felt with
redoubled force.
BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT.
We reiterate previous pledges OF the re-
publican party in regard to the Sherman
antitrust law, and insist on such amend
ments TO that law as are called for to effect
proper regulation over, and secure greater
publicity in, the management OF corpor-
atoms engaged in Interstate commerce.
We favor fewer laws restricting the free
dom OF business and one effective law and
agency to accomplish fair play between
the producer and the consumer, the carrier
and the merchant.
We advocate such administrative action
and legislation az will henceforth relieve
sill honestiy-conducted business from I'M
warranted interference and obvious per-
secution, and at the same time rigidly pre-
vent unlawful combinations, special
privileges and monopoiies. We insist
that business should be given every OPP
portunily honorably and legally to achieve
success, and that government regulation
of business shall not be understood to
mean government management OF bust
ness.
THE PHILIPPINES.
We protest the abandonment OF the
Philippines, where prosperity OF all
kinds has been nourished under the
American flag and we insist that the
Philippine Islands shall not be aban-
doned to then selves until they are pre-
pared for self government. And we de-
clare that after they have achieved such
self preparedness they should be under
the American flag and in harmony with
the principles Of our government. We de-
nounce, therefore, the measure now pend
ibe III NchEEtns 40 "h hbipsatioh VI a
sacred trust and certain, il followed out, to
lead to factional distnr bauce and the ulti-
mate seizure OF these islands by some
foreign power.
MERCHANT MARINE.
We declare that true to its free trade
instincts the democratic party has proven
the foe to an American owned and
American built merchant marine; that
it's policy has been to defeat every
measure to upbuiid such marine and
thereby to compel US to depend on the
foreigner for our deep sea carrying trade.
To- day we are paying the price OF this
policy. The shipyards OF Europe are
closed to US. We can neither buy nor
charter ship with which to re-take the
legitimate place at last open to us in the
commesce of the world. The congestion
Of freight on our seaboard has paralyzed
our whole international commerce, and
there is not a manufscturer or producer
and hardly consumer in Maine who has
not been made to realize the result OF
democratic incapacity.
Confronted by these calamitous condi-
lions, the administration resorted to des-
perate remedies and sought to force
through the last Congress a bill for the
government ownership and operation Of
ships. So unwise and untimely a measure
sNt, Ia