The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-04
SENATOR sHERmAN's VIEWS.

The Questions at Issue Declared To Be the
Tariff and the Scott Law.
Address Before Richland County Convention, Sat-
urday.
What now are the questions upon which the
contest this fall will depend? Are we right
on these? If so, We can win the victory if we
will. These questions, no doubt, will be
formulated by the State convention But
one or two of them have been made so prom
inent by recent events that we can anticipate
the resolutions of the convention. Shall our
tariff laws be framed with a view to protect
labor as well as to levy taxes? Upon that
question we are united and incontestably
right. 1t is the fundamental national ques-
ton of the time, which will engross the at
tention of the next Congress. and be thepivot-
al issue upon which the Presidential election
will turn. We, as party, maintain that while
the main object of taxes on imported goods
is to furnish revenue for the support OF
The government, vet that in levy
ing them special care should be taken to
foster, build up and protect such manufac-
lures, agriculture, or production. as are
suited to our climate and the habits of our
people, with a view to secure TO our artisans
fair wages for a good days labor, for our
farmers a home market for their produc-
lions, and to our country strength, wealth
and independence. This is the chosen posi-
ton of the Republican party, and upon il We
Invite o contest with our Democratic friends,
whenever, if ever, they make up their minds
upon the subject
The other question is: Shall the sale of
spurious and malt LIQUORS be free and I'M
taxed in Ohio; or shall ii pay in taxes some
portion of the expenses caused by the traffic
for the maintenance of our courts, poor
houses and local police, and for the loss it en-
tails upon the victims of diseased appetite,
and upon their wives and children? The Re-
publican Legislature has embodied their
views of what is right and just in what is
called ''the Scott law"
We must stand or fall by that law Not
by its defects or imperiections if any, for
they can easily be corrected: but upon the
principles contained in it-upon the Justice
of the taxes it imposes. 1t declares that an
annual tax of 5000 shall be imposed upon
all persons who sell spurious liquors in Ohio.
and 500 on all who sell malt liquors. Is
this a wise and just measure? l believe it
is. A tax on the sale of liquors now exists
in nearly every State of the Union. and in
sonic States at rate far higher than the rate
proposed. There is not country in Europe,
or in regions anywhere called civilized.
where some form OF taxation is not levied
upon the sale of liquors. In London, Paris
and Berlin, and in most of the cities of the
so-called centers of civilization, the chief
tax on the sale of spirits, wine and beer In
Ohio, almost alone OF the States of the Union,
owing 10 the faulty provisions of our
State constitution, the sale of liquor is I'M
taxed, and is as free as the sale of bread. Is
it so that the people of Ohio are less careful
of good order and temperance than the peo-
pie of sister States or the great cities of Eu-
rope? We would all resent such an accusa-
ton if made. The truth is, that the anoma-
lous position of this question in Ohio grows
out OF the fact that large portion of the
people of Ohio are SO much opposed to liquor
selling that they won't recognize the traffic
by taxing it. But experience shows that
wise tax law will restrain, to certain ex-
tent the evils of indiscriminate and uni
yersal traffic in spirits will yield also fruit
full revenue, and not prevent the passage of
any other wise temperance law which, in pub
lie opinion, is consistent with the personal lib
erty of the citizen. Therefore, Republicans
favor the Scott law; they make it a part of
their platform; they mean to enforce it, they
are opposed 10 its repeal; they invite our
Democratic friends TO meet rs manfully OH
this issue, and take the judgment of the
people upon it. We may lose some votes,
but the Republican party in all its brilliant
history was never more clearly right than
when it demands of those who sell liquor as
beverage to pay to the public tax to meet
the expenses caused by their traffic and be-
ing right. we are certain to win if we have the
tOIFdZe 10 HSilI anu tue NlSuOIl1 10 unlIe VIII
all those who agree with lis.
Whatever is possible in human govern
ment to promote the greatest good of all Sec
tons and OF all our people should be the aim
and object of great parties. These must nee
essarily, in a free government, be the chief
Instruments of progress and reform. 1t is
because | believe the Republican party is
better fitted for this work that / support it.
II il fails to keep pace with popular opinion
n this respect it will fall. In the issues now
before us * is far in advance of the Demo-
ratio party, and, therefore, believe it will
succeed.
Though the present issues may not be so
marked as in the past; though the Union is
safe. and all men are free; though the cur
-ency is sound and the country is prosper
ous, and each section is contributing in
peace, to the general wealth, yet when time
changes and trouble comes, we would all feel
iafer if the great party which guided us
through the storm, was still at the helm.