The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-09
SOUND TAXATION DOCTRINE.

The President is represen led, by what
seems to be reliable authority as having fire.
quently said to his most intimate personal
friends that if he has any ambition at ali, it
is to have his administration go on record as
the one that witnessed the relief of the peo-
pie from the greater part of the burdensome
taxation inherited from the war. In pur-
suance of this idea he would consent to
very marked reduction of internal revenue,
though he would not wish to have it
entirely abolished. In addition to
this, he would like some plan
devised whereby the tariff might be
reduced, if it can be accomplished without
prejudice to our domestic industries 1t will
be seen from this that President Arthur is
in accord with the prevailing idea of the Re-
publican party. To reduce internal taxation
to the minimum and to lower the tariff
judiciously is distinctly Republican doctrine.
1t is this that distinguishes the Republican
idea of reasonable protection from the Demo-
cratic idea of free trade, or no protection to
ter, requiring the wisest DELHI
Grafton, to adjust this question to the
best interests OF the whole country. The
first aspect of the issue presents two objects
to be attained through the same means; a
certain amount of revenue for the support
of government, and a judicious protection TO
American industrial interests. Were the
question of revenue alone involved, the
business of regulating it to the needs of the
country would be a comparatively simple
thing. Leaving out the item of fostering
American manufactures, the tariff could
readily be raised or lowered in accordance
with the needs of the federal treasury
But what may in one sense be regarded as
the secondary object of a tariff tax, is in
reality of vaster importance than its first
purpose. Now that the imperative neces-
slty of war tariff is gone, it does not follow
that the tariff should at once, or in the near
future, be reduced out of existence The
necessity of a wisely-adjusted system of pro-
lection is as imperative now as ever in the
history of our commercial prosperity We
have built up wonderful volume of trade
under protection. 1t matters not now
whether the increase in the num-
Der of mills and their output
are the result of protective tariff, or have
developed with the development of the
country and increase of population The
fact now to be faced is that these multiplied
industries have been put into operation dur
ing the time of high tariff. That they have
The cry of free traders has been, and is that
they have enjoyed too great prosperity on
account of the prices they were enabled to
charge when relieved of outside COMPETE
ton. 1t cannot, therefore, be truth
fully denied that the present status
of American industries is incom-
patible with free trade. Not one in ten,
perhaps, of our mills is in condition to meet
foreign competition on an equality. They
are steadily approaching that point, and
many of our products are selling in all the
markets of the world. When, by improved
methods, which Americans are quick to in
vent and utilize, our manufacturers shall
place themselves on level with those who
have been established for centuries,
then will it be time to argue free trade At
the present time the adoption of this idea
would paralyze and PROSTATE every industry
from ocean to ocean,
But it ought to be and is understood that
the Republican party is il sympathy with
gradual and discriminating reduction OF the
tariff Its admirable way of handling the
great finances of this country has been the