Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-07-05


" the o.called protective tariff, whereof
large increase above what accrues as rev.
"enue to the Government is protested |
against, as it goes to enlarge the profits |
"of favored manufacturers, imposes bur-
:" dens upon labor, and particularly agri- |
cultural labor, increases the cost of liv-
ing, which is not offset by corresponding
increase in wages or in the price of agri-
cultural products, and it is heartless
mockery to pretend to redress grievances
" that have become intolerable by refer
ring it to commission purposely packed
to continue it." This is a strong indict-
meat, and when such plank is found in a
Maine platform the fact indicates that
the popular sentiment against the tariff is
taking shape which must coon force the
question into politics as national issue.
The enormous surplus revenue produced
by the tariff is in fact constituting the
most powerful leverage against the system.
1t is vain for the advocates of protection
to attempt to defend system which re-
suits in taking $50, 600, 900 every year out
of the pockets of the people, and which
in SO doing puts premium upon Congress.
sional extravaganza and corruption. Gus
tom has no doubt dulled the popular per-
ception on this point considerably, but
such a state of affairs cannot continue. If
a case were brought to public attention in
which come foreign Government, say that
of Turkey for example, SO taxed its people
as to produce surplus revenue of $780,.
900, 900, and then squandered this fund
upon undertakings which were not needed,
or used it to enrich individuals or classes,
we should at once realize the tyranny and
| iniquity Of the operation. But as it is we
are content to 60 on stupidity Dragging
about our freedom and independence, while
all the time we permit our pockets to be
picked by the Government, and large
percentage of the hard earnings of the
people is confscated under pretenses which
are SO puerile that they ought not to de-
ceive an intelligent schoolboy. Even now,
| when strikes all over the country are com.
polling attention to the obvious fact that
American labor is distressed, that wages
are insufficient, that the cost of living has
increased, that production is not flourish
ing, the connection of these things with
the tariff is generally overlooked or blindly
| denied.
But the fact that the Democrats of Maine
have thought it judicious to adopt an
snti.tarif plank for the first time this
year shows that the public patience is
beginning to give way, and that even in
the State where devotion to the tariff and
| navigation laws has survived the extinc-
| ton of the American merchant marine,
there is still hope of enlightenment. 1t
remains to be seen what the Republicans
| of Maine will do about this new issue.
| The most extreme tariff man in the Senate
to-day is Frye OF Maine, and it is not
probable that he will counsel any surren.
| der. But it is on the cards that if the
Republican party refuses to meet the
Democrats on this issue, the Democrats
may carry the State, and in that event the
tariff question will at once become a ma.
tional one. 1t is evident that the cheap
device of packed Tariff Commission has
not settled the agitation even for the mo-
ment. In fact it was too gross a piece of
work to deceive anyone. And the con.
ditions are eminently favorable to an anti
tariff war. The country is by no means
prosperous. Labor is worse off than it has
been for several years. The wages ques-
tion and the living question are burning
ones. 1t is not possible for the Repub-
licans to justify the raising of a surplus
revenue of $50, 900, 600, in face of the fact
that thousands of artisans have been
driven to strike for higher wages because
their present pay will not keep them alive.
The protectionists have latterly been
making desperate efforts to stave eff the
necessity for tariff revision by cutting
| down the internal revenue taxes. But the
people have sense enough to perceive that
justice requires the relief of the great pro.
ducing and laboring classes before luxuries
| like whisky and tobacco are cheapened.
Congress cannot adjust the matter in this
way. The country does not want the
whisky rings further enriched. What it
wants is that the laboring classes shall be
assured fair days wage for fair days
| work, and that the cost of the necessaries
of life should be reduced. 1t sees. too,
that 30 long as this enormous surplus rev.
enue is raised great part of it will be
squandered or stolen, and that every year
more audacious and successful schemes for
getting away with it will be projected.
The time has passed when the Republican
party could depend upon the support of
the producing classes of the great West.
There is no longer any sectional issue.
There is no longer Southern problem.
The "bloody shirt has been buried be-
yond the possibility of resurrection. But
if the Republican leaders at Washington are
controlled altogether by the protectionists,
and are unable to escape from that thraldom,
then party will before long arise, either
the Democracy or new party, which,
placing itself squarely upon the popular
side of this controversy, and advocating
the rights of the people, will sweep away
the champions of the tariff. 1t is only
question of time, and the present distress
is fastening the time rapidly. The Repub-
licans cannot afford to ignore the danger
signals which are already hoisted. They
cannot afford to nail the tariff flag to the
mast. The tariff ia not defensible, and
those who undertake to defend it will go
down. The Indication which the Demo-
cratic platform in Maine affords must be
seriously considered. and should the Re-
publicans of that State refuse to regard the
signs of the times we expect that they will
be defeated in the approaching campaign.
They have already had one disagreeable
surprise in Maine, and no shrewd observer
would be at all surprised if the present
wear brought them another.