The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-02-07
A TARTFF FoR REYENUE.

That is, taxation to raise revenue for
the Government treasury, to pay the
debts and carry on the government.
The Constitutional clause authorizing
taxation ls as follows: Congress shall
have power to lay and collect taxes, du-
"ties imposts and sxciseS, to pay the debts
"and provide for the common defense
"States; but all duties, imposts and ex-
''cises shall be uniform throughout the
United States"
Is it uniform" taxation that is so
manipulated as to tax the mass Of the
people inOrdinately, and put millions
in the pockets of a few favored mOnOpO-
lists? Does 1t provide for the common
defense" to have a system of tariff tax.
alton that crushes out the business Of
ship.building and sends it to Europe,
and at the same time destroys our COM
mercial marine? This sort of destruc-
tiOn they call "prOtectiOnT
Is it uniform taxation" that bestOws
enormous bounties on some, instead of
putting all citizens on an equal foot
ing, and so provide for the general
welfareP"
Andrew Jackson, in his Farewell Ad-
dress, says: I'm the Legislation Of Con-
"gress, and in every measure of the gen
'eral government, justice to every pOr-
''tiOn Of the United States should be
faithfully observed" And again he
says. in the same document: "The var
''iOus interests which have combined
together to impose heavy tariff, and
Ito produce an OverfOwing treasury,
ARE too strong, and have too much at
stake, to surrender the contest. The
corporations and wealthy individuals
who are engaged in large manufactur-
ling establishments, desire high tar
"iff, to increase their gains. Designing
politicians will support 1t to cOnciliate
their favor, and obtain the means of
"prOfuse expenditure"
Jackson indicates in the foregoing the
very state of things existing under cor
rupt Republican rule. We see design
ing politicians" Mckinley, ETC., concil-
iating and serving 1.-The corporations
and wealthy individuals, ,"-monOpOlists,
boss" potters and other millionaire
lOrds-in order to continue in power and
place, and "to obtain the means of pro
fuse expenditure" Star Route, Hub
bell assessments, etc.
Now, the Democratic doctrine is, and
always has been, A TARIFF FOR REV
ENUE. The Republican doctrine, on
the other hand is, A TARIFF FOR PRO
TECTION; as Mckinley said in his Chi
cagO speech, protection for the sake Of
projections" robbery for the sake Of rob-
berry.
No Democrat advocates absolute free
trade; but such fair and just system
Of tariff taxation as will secure all in
their constitutional rights of person
and property. Such a tariff secures
equal justice and equal taxation.
Now that our General Government
has become Of vast proportions, expend-
ing four or FIVE hundred millions year,
the mode and manner Of collecting the
revenue becomes important. 1t is the
great question Of the future. as we'll as
the present. 1t comes home to every
citizen. We need honest government
and honest and equal taxation.
That system of taxation that rObs la
Dor and honest business, to bestow
bOunties on a few and build up a mil
lionaire class is not honest, and not in
accordance with the Constitution of the
United States. We trust the time is
here when this question of honest or
dishonest taxation will be met, and con-
tinue until Onstitutionally disposed of.
In this conflict, he that is not with us
is against US, and should go where
he belongs.