The Silver State

TILLMAN'S POSITION.

"I do not propose to be misrepresented here," said Tillman the other day in the senate in answer to an inquiry from Senator Chandler, "in the attitude I have assumed in the broad light of day as an American senator, responsible only to the people of South Carolina and enlightened public opinion throughout the country. If it comes to the question of protection for protection's sake, I am not a protectionist, unless it be to this extent: I announced the general doctrine the other day that it is for the best interests of the American people, taken as a whole, judged from the standpoint of statesmanship, to produce what we consume.

"If there be any industry in this country which, by reason of foreign competition, cannot live and give diversified labor or more employment to our people, and which by a small tariff can be protected to the extent that it can get on its feet, I say it would be wisdom to give it. The only trouble is that when you have started your infant by giving him first milk and then bread and raising him up to be a man you continue to protect him until he begins to feel the effect of competition, and then he forms a combination or trust and marches abroad in the open light of day a robber, to take from every household in this land tribute levied through the forms of law by congress under the system of protection. There is where I draw the line. I say you ought not to allow a single trust or combination to come in here and get a duty on anything, because you levy unjust tribute on the American people whenever you do it."