The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-12-13
SIMPLIFYING The TARIFF

One Of the most important pieces Of |
committee work during the present seg- |
sion Of Congress was the appointment, a |
few days since, Of a subcommittee Of the |
Ways and Means, with instructions to go
into the whole matter Of revising the
tariff laws, and 10 report an entirely new
and comprehensive plan for the govern
ing of this branch OF the public revenue.
The distribution of the various members
of the subcommittee shows desire to
secure representation OF every section
of the country, Mr.. Wood, the chairman,
representing the commercial interests Of
New York and the other great ports;
General Banks, the Eastern manufactur-
ing interests; Randolph Tucker, the in
terests of the Southern seaboard; Mr..
Burchard, those Of the West, and Mr..
Gibson the Southwest. All are gentle.
men we'll versed in the subject under
consideration, and we may Justly look
for a report combining much Of careful
study and practical common sense.
It is understood that the committee
will not be hampered by any attempt to
remodel or add to the present Complica.
ted revenue laws, but will endeavor to
hit upon plan which, while 1t will yield
to the government an ample revenue,
will cut off many excrescences of the
present system, both in the irregular
manner of levying duties, and in the
useless and costly complications attend
ing the collecting of the same. As enun-
Ciated by the New York Herald's Wash
ington correspondent, Mr.. Woods opin.
ion-as we'll as that of a majority Of the
Committee-is that our present crude and
cumbersome revenue laws, further COM
| pliCated as they are by numerous contra
dictOry decisions, can and should be 30
rearranged and simplified as to enable
American manufacturers to re.establish
themselves on favorable terms in foreign
markets; the committee regarding this as
essential to revival of our PROSTATE in
dustries. With this end in view it will
be their work first, to ascertain the APP
proximate expenses of carrying on the
Government, paying the interest on the
debt, etc; second, to decide deupon the pro.
portion of the public revenue to be rails
ed by internal taxation; and thirdly, to
proceed with the maturing ofa plan which
will raise the amount required to be rails
ed by import duties, upon the simplest
and least expensive basis. The report
will undoubtedly be looked for with much
interest by the entire Country.-AkrOn
| Beacon.
Our financial and commercial disasters
are undoubtedly owing greatly to the in
iquitous tariff system that was fastened
upon the country soon after the Republi-
can party came into power. There is
much wholesome truth in the Beacon ar
tiCle, and we copy it with pleasure, com.
ing from such a source. Selfish schem-
ing and iniquity require complicated
revenue laws" while even handed Con-
stitutional justice only desires plain and
simple arrangement. Why should our
system of tariff duties be so arranged as
to disturb values by favoring few inter-
ests, and plundering the mass of the
people2 The fact is, the ruin we are in
is the result of evil laws affecting cur
renCy and trade and disturbing values,
thus rendering insecure property and
business. Grasping avarice may shape
legislation 30 as to lavish favors by
exacting untold millions for time, fail.
ing to see that the final result is the pen
dulum of ruin and disaster returning to
equalize matters and settle the wrong.
Let us have tariff adjustment with full
regard to freedom of trade and equality
of rights. Let us remember that labor
is robbed by the protection Rham. When
the Government taxes blankets, shoes,
hats, iron in every possible shape, and
other articles in general use, the consul
mer pays in accordance with his con-
sumption, be he rich or poor. But
while some people are bowling about the
pauper labor of Europe, to which Condi-
ton they are striving to reduce US, the
same men import from abroad this same
pauper element to work in their manu-
factories and delve in their mines.
Let labor have equal rights with Capi-
tai before the law. Let our law-making
power cease to legislate SO as to throw
untold millions into the pockets of the
favored few. Equality of rights, is Ma
ture's PLAN"
The renovation of this earth is to be
brought about through justice and mercy
NOT through wrong and violence. JUS
tiCe, be it remembered, involves equal
ity. The only garments, then, in which
to clOthe power, are those of even hand
ed justice, not those of blood and un-
righteousness. The American people are
Ijust beginning to fully realize that the
rule of the Republican party has been
one of violence and wrong. Mammon
has been the ruling worship, and has en-
tailed evils that will be Of long standing
They found people prosperous and out
of debt, and cheaply and benefcently
governed; they promised MS peace and
greater prosperity when they should as
sumo power-snd behold the result
Never, in the history of the world, did
selfish rapaCity more quickly and effect
ually rob people unto their ruin.
Republican brows are no longer radi-
ant with the halo of power and glory
their garments are rolled in blood, and
on their heads may be seen the ashes OF
their pagan fires Of mammon wrong.
1
HAYES ought to have compassion on