Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 April 1908 — COWARDLY TARIFF PROPOSAL. [ARTICLE]

COWARDLY TARIFF PROPOSAL.

At the suggestion of Vice President Fairbanks the Indiana Republicans declare in their platform that they are in favor of revising the tariff at a special session of congress to be called in November, Immediately after the election. They recall that two years ago they promised tariff revision when it could be brought about without "hurting business." Evidently they think that business is now in such bad shape that they can safely risk a little "tinkering.” But the proposal to take action as soon as the ballots are cast in November is not only a Cowardly campaign dodge, but it is an impudent insult to the intelligence of the people. The tariff has needed revision for eleven years. It certainly needs it no worse now than it did two years ago, and it will need it no worse next November than it does now. Congress has been in session since December. It can sit as long as it pleases—until next December if it wants to. If the Republicans have any honest intention of making an honest revision, why not begin now? They have no such honest jntention. They merely want to put the matter over until after the election, and they are moved by two reasons: One is a purpose to deceive the voters; and the other is to make the trusts and all of, the tariff barons come down with big campaign contributions. The Republican leaders will tell the tar-iff-fed trusts that if they contribute handsomely a Republican congress, even if the Republicans lose the election, will take care of them before either a Democratic president or a Democratic house has a chance to block their game. The senate will be controlled by the Republicans for at least two years from the fourth of next March, but the house will probably become Democratic on the latter date and after that no trust-made tariff bill can be passed. The Fairbanks tariff proposal, which has just been adopted by the Indiana Republicans, will probably be incorporated in the Republican national platform. It is a shameless bid for the active support of the trusts in the campaign.—for the money and the votes they control. At the same time it is an insolent affront to the common sense of the people. What the present tariff needs is not a revision “by its friends”—it needs to be reformed by its enemies. In no other way can the business of the country be benefited or the burdens of the every-day man be decreased.