The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-08-07

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munity, the majority are opposed to such
. traffic, believing II immoral, unhealthy and in
every way injurious, should not their wishes
prevail? lis not this solution of the question
in harmony with Republican principles and
the right OF local self-goyernment? III, i'm a
given community, majority OF the people are
opposed to the traffic, should they have it
forced upon them by perhaps very small
minority! And if, on the other hand in
another community, majority OF the people
are in favor of the traffic, should they be pre-
vented from having it in their midst by like
minority
| The power to decide the various questions
arising out OF the liquor-trafiic, as to it's pro-
priety or improperly, whether 1T Will be re-
strained or prohibited, undoubtedly belongs
to the people OF the State III their sovereign
legislative capacity. Any general law prohib-
ting or regulating the traffic III intoxicating
liquors would be offensive in some localities
and acceptable in others and, for these rea-
sons, would be executed III some aud not In
others. What is fairer, and what better can
be done, than TO refer tho decision OF this
question under the law to each particular
ocality!
| STATE TAXATION
The Democracy, having the control OF the
Legislature in 1871, reduced the rate OF State
taxation to cents on the 800. This levy
produced Mt the State Treasury, in 1873 the
sum of 1895. 1904. The State expenses were
81. 966, 6i339. There was in the Treasury
1855 024.S7, leaving a deficit OF SS45, 627.5S,
to meet which a loan of 100000 was made.
In 1873 the Republicans had the Legisla-
tire, and fixed 15-cent levy on a total valua-
ton in the State OF $3.50, 900, 900. This
produced, during 1874, 81 1925. $50. The ex-
penditures of the Government were 81 ,262-
900. The Democracy denounce the increase
| to Is per cent. as "a wanton outrage, and
propose to return to the 5-cent levy. On
| the present valuation this would produce
| $475, 600 000-only little more than one
third the amount necessary to defray the ex-
| penses of the State. BY the aid of these fig
ures we can understand how demagogical and
| shallow is the resolution on State taxation. 1t
| is an attempt to deceive the people by con-
cealing the fact that there would be deficit
of $500, 900, which would have to be met by
the issue and sale of bonds, adding to the
State debt, and increasing the expenditures
by the interest yearly to be paid on the amount
borrowed to meet the deficiency In the
light of the fragrant resolution we may read
the character and purpose of the whole plat
form.
CANADIAN RECIPROCITY.
The draft of a treaty OF reciprocity with Can
ada does not meet my approval. have failed
to see in it any advantages to the whole coun-
try and especially to the Northwestern States
But, aside from the terms of the treaty them
selves, there are political considerations which
seem to me to render the treaty unwise.
While Canada remains part OF the British
Empire, tDlnh she ought 10 DC lredteu ds
such, while the treaty gives her substantially
the advantages of State in the Federal I'm
ion-retaining, at the same time, all the i'm
munities of the British connection. Canada
is quite capable of subsisting as an independ-
ert country. Her trade and affiliations are
virtually with the United States, and, for five
months of the year, she can have no CONNER
cial intercourse with Europe, save over our
territory. With Canada independent, we can
treat az mutual interests may dictate. All
questions OF annexation must be postponed
till that event Without the treaty / believe
her independence will be accomplished within
the next decade with it, it will be indefinitely
postponed.
THE TARIFF.
The Democracy resolved for "a Tariff for
Revenue" intending to have it understood az
p declaration against the policy OF pro-
lection and in favor OF free trade.
A revenue tariff, not to be prohibitory. must
be discriminating, and cannot be levied at an
equal rate upon all articles imported. Years |
ago. Indiana Democrats wanted the tariff the |
heaviest upon all imported articles which |
were not and could not be produced in the |
United States, such az tea and coffee such |
articles az could be produced here were to
come in free, or the tariff upon them was to |
be put 80 low as not TO afford protection to |
home production. 1t was so obvious that |
tariff levied upon these principles would be |
all i'll favor OF foreign industry that this line |
common sense and patriotism alike dictated |
that, as tariff was a necessity 1t should be |
levied, not III the interest of foreign and home |
monopoly, but so as to afford fair and rea- |
sonable competition between home and foreign |
industries RELYING upon competition to bring |
about reduction of prices to the people |
and it is upon this principle that the Repub- |
lican party has attempted to regulate the |
tariff.
How utterly senseless is the cry of free
trade to the people of the Northwest Now, |
when the time has come for the establish |
ment Of our resources, and to place our in
dustries upon sure foundations, we are met |
with the insane cry of free trade, and advised |
to throw down every protection to home-la-
bor The States of the Northwest have ceased |
to be regarded as outlying provinces to the |
East, and have become opulent powerful and |
intelligent communities, capable of forming |
their own policies, and becoming, by the de-
velopment of their own resources, the most |
independent and prosperous among the
States.
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGES.
Another question of paramount interest is
the amendment to the Constitution providing |
for the direct election of President and Vice
President. The dangers and imperfectiops
of the present system are well understood, |
and may plunge the nation into civil war at |
any time. The theory and reasons for the |
establishment of the Electoral College have |
all failed, while it Is possible to control a |
great State by the corruption and fraud of a |
given locality, as has been done in New York |
frequently. Then i'll case the election is through |
into the House of Representatives. Nevada, |
with 40, 900 population, has as much influence |
as New York with 5000, 900. In 1925, Mr.. |
Adams was elected President by the House. |
while he did not receive one-third of the |
popular vote, defeating Gen. Jackson, who had |
received large plurality of the popular and |
electoral vote. The path Of duty is the path |
of safety. We would brush away the electoral |
machinery and the election by the House of |
Representatives, and choose tho President |
and Vice-President by the direct vote of the |
people-giving the election of the candidates
receiving the highest number of votes.
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.
Senator Morton then argued at length the
right of Congress to regulate and supervise
Interstate commerce, and the control of each |
State over its purely internal commerce. 1t |
would be impossible evidently, for Congress
to pass general laws establishing rates
of freight and passenger fares over
all the lines of road; these must be |
subject to constant change and the operations
of local influences. But it seems to me
to be clearly within the power OF Congress.
and to be practicable, to establish Boards of |
Railroad Commissioners, TO be vested with |
certain powers. to be governed by general |