The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-06-23
A TARIFF FOR REVENUE.
Editor EXCHANGE:

the two great political parties-Re.
publican and Democratic, the re-
publican party advocating high
protective policy, which has for long
years built up and fostered a mOnop>
oily which has been enriched by
grants of millions of acres of the
public domain, and high protective
policy. The democrats, on the other
hand, will be in favor of reducing
the present tariff to a revenue stand
ard. The democratic party has al
ways been opposed to class legisla-
ton building up of the few at the
expense of the many. With pride,
be it said, that democracy has always
contended for strict construction of
the constitution of the United States.
On the other hand, republicans have
been latitudinous in their construct
ion. They claim to be governed by
a higher law than the constitution.
Hence their recklessness in the ad.
ministration of public affairs.
The closer we adhere to the man>
dates of our constitution the better
government we will have. Equity
and justice will be meeted out to all
in every legitimate pursuit and oc>
cupation in all this broad land. No
one will deny that the congress of
the United States has the constitution
al right to impose tax on imported
articles for the support of the govern.
ment. 1t must be supported by levy
ing direct tax on the people, or a
tax on imported goods. 1t is claimed
by some that direct tax would be
the cheapest and best manner of sup
porting the government. 1t is also
said by the advocates of free trade
that tariff for revenue only, means
the most revenue. In relation to the
first claim, how would it result in
cheapness to the whole people, if
property only was taxed ? There are
many thousands in the United States
who would pay nothing to the sup
port of the government if taxes were
levied upon property only. Under q
revenue system, all would contribute
mere or less to the support of the
government, as all are consumers.
Did it ever'occu to a free trader
what vast army 1t would require to
collect the taxes if levied in direct
manner upon the people? Their
names would be legion when compar-
ed with the number of custom.h house
officials. Is it correct idea that the
more officers we have the less bur-
densome it is to the people? Will
any free trade man make little ar
ithMetical calculation as to how much
it would be per capita to each man,
woman and child in the United
States? There being about fifty
millions of people, if it were levied
directly upon each person, the
amount required TO defray the exr
penses of the general government,
and rich nabobs would own a great
portion of the lands Of the country
Even in our own state, where a d.
rect tax is comparatively light, how
much of the lands have been sold
and bought in by the state? Under
such system, a little legislation
might work a forfeiture of title to
the owner and give title to the
buyer. 1t is strange to me how a
tariff for revenue only to support the
government can be construed to mean
the most revenue. | am sure such
an idea never originated in the mind
of a democrat. Democrats understand
themselves better than that, and out>
siders should post themselves better.
All who are informed are bound to
admit that tariff, no matter how
lightly imposed by the general gov
eminent on articles of foreign i'm.