Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 July 1902 — POLITICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE]

POLITICS OF THE DAY

The Tariff Reform Issue. One of the most significant developments bearing upon the issue of tariff reform as that Issue is being pressed by the national Democracy is the fact of increasing Republican impatience with the radical minority of that party which insists upon the view that the Dinglcy tariff is too sacred to be changed in the slightest degree. There are now but two or three Republican organs in the United States which stubbornly forbid their party to entertain any other view save that which absolutely prohibits tariff reduction, says the St. Louis Republic. The majority sentiment of the Republican party is against this radicalism of spirit. The late President McKinley saw plainly that tariff revision was inevitable. Himself the apostle of protection, he clearly sounded to his party the note of tariff reform. To his utterances as much as to any other one influence is due the fact that the Republican majority is to-day contemplating an abandonment of the Dinglcy tariff. From the Republican standpoint, the embarrassment of the existing situation is found in the difficulty of making a graceful retreat from the high tariff citadel. The extreme high protection ists contend that this retreat means a surrender of the whole Republican position on the tariff issue. This argument Is having its effect. Uncertainty of purpose accompanied by an apprehension

which amounts almost to dismay, is apparent in Republican movements. The near approach of the Congressional campaigns seems to add to the Republican confusion. Whatever is to be done by that party with regard to the tariff issue must be done quickly. And the party is not prepared to act quickly. The national Democracy must press the Issue of tariff reform with all the vigor and aggressiveness possible to a harmonious party spirit and an excellent organization. Upon the Democratic party falls the duty of arousing the people to a full realization of the bunko nature of high protection which protects manufacturers who are selling their manufactured products -cheaper in Europe than in this country, thereby underselling the European competitors against whom the Dingley tariff Is supposed to afford them a needed “protection." The time is near when the protection issue must be settled from the people’s view point, not from that of the protected trusts. The Democratic party must bring about this settlement Future Rule of Uncle Ram. At the preseut time the tariff and the trusts combine to make the strongest and the most urgent Issues before the people of the United States, and If Judiciously haudled will serve to advance the Democratic party substantially and in the end will restore the organization to power or force needed reforms at the hands of the Republicans. Aside from the trust question the tariff iss.ie Is stronger to-day tliun it was In 18? d, when It gave Tllden the popular vote, or in 1884 or 1802, when it brought about the election of Cleveland. The number of industries that have passed far beyond any possible need of p?o----lection Is larger than ever before, and the Injustice of making American consumers pay the excessive prices that can be demanded where foreign competition is restricted by heavy duties

has become more apparent than at any time in the past.—Kansas City Star. National Honor Sacrificed. Cdbn is to be left to her fate. The Republican Congress, caring more for the sugar beet and the sugar trust than for the national honor, refuses to grant reciprocity, refyses to give thfe people of the island' such commercial conditions as make prosperity possible. Were Cuba strong enough to resent betrayal by resisting us she would be held justified by the world in repudiating American suzerainty and seeking in other countries the trade concessions we deny her. Cuba must submit because Cuba is weak, but the fact remains that she has been cheated. It was upon the promise of President McKinley that her material welfare should be guarded that she consented to a constitution limiting her independence. President Roosevelt has tried to redeem McKinley’s promise, and he has had behind him in this the conscience of the country. But President Roosevelt's party, as represented by a Congress overwhelmingly Republican, has deferred to the “protected interests’’ and disgraced the nation. The party guilty of this act of sordid perfidy will shortly go to the people for judgment, asking that It be given again the House of Representatives as proof of popular approval. To doubt

the result of this appeal would be to think that the American people, like the "protected Interests," care Infinitely more for dollars than they do for duty. The protectionists, in their mindless greed, have struck a blow at the vitals of protection. A system that yields such fruit as the refusal of justice to Cuba cannot endure. It orders Itself out of the court of ordinary morals. Justice will be done Cuba by the people who freed the island from Spain, over the wreck, if need he, of the political party which has sacrificed the good faith of the Republic at the behest of tariff - fattened favorites.— Chicago American. Not Much of *n Investigation. Labor Commissioner Wright, wko has been "investigating” the coni st/ike for President Roosevelt, says: "I have secured all the Information I desired. It will not he necessary for me to go to the coal fields.” A newspaper reporter, who could secure “all the information desired,” without going to where the Information was to l>e had, would be a wonder—but he would not last long enough to make a second Investigation.—Albany, N. Y., Argus. Pernicious Activity in Ohio. Federal officeholders In Ohio would lie amazed. Indeed, should President Roosevelt order an Inquiry Into their relations with partisan factional controversies in the Buckeye State. /Hie Ohio Idea in politics Is to £et office and right hard for continuance therein. N< secret Is made of activity In party sc: vice, which Is both creditable and m <• ossury, from the practical worker'.point of view. Investigate, forsooth!— Philadelphia Record. The Klniz of Coin. "Doesn't the soprano's voice so mid metallic to you?" "Yes, but then, you know, there’s money in It."—Philadelphia Bulletin.