Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-05-24
The Ohio Platform.


There have been hastily uttered
many frivolous objections TO the
Ohio tariff platform OF the Demo-
Gratis of that State by the Republi-
can critics, and some Democrats
have sought to make a bubble
upon the phrase, adjustment -
But our Republican friends profess
to enterlaina a lofty sort of contempt
for what they are pleased to term
derisively, "the facing -both-ways
policy" as enunciated in the propo-
tion to "encourage productive in
dustries at home and afford Just
compensation to labor" Can the
tariff laws of this country be so adj
justed, in their application that they
will encourage productive indus
tries at home and afford Just COM
pensation for labor? An Intelligent
writer in the Cincinnati Enquirer
answers the objections advanced
with singular force and clearness.
To the common Republican ohiec-
tion that the platform is not explicit
enough in detail, how the desired
objects may be accomplished--that
is, how the tariff may be adjusted
so as to encourage productive in
dustries and afford just compensa-
tion to labor, he replies that such
objection has no force, because 1t
would be impossible to frame tariff
laws in detail and make them part
of a political platform. They might
as well find fault with our Federal
or State Constitutions because they
do not contain an accurate detail Of
all the subdivisions of their powers,
and of all the means by which they
might be carried into execution:
The business ofa political party, i'm
its platform, of principles, is TO de-
fine the policy ii will pursue should
the people furnish 1t the power to
do so. The arrangement OF details
belongs to the law-making power.
Suppose tariff should only be plac-
ed on those articles produced abroad
and that were not grown or pro-
duced in our country. Such tar
iff would raise a revenue and there
by enable us by means of tariff to
meet the expenses of the General
Government, but ii would not in
any degree tend to encourage pro-
ductiVe industries or afford conn
pensatlon to labor. To accomplish
these desirable objects tariff must
be placed on those articles import
ed from abroad which come into
competition with like articles grown
or manufactured in this country.
If the tariff be so high as TO stop the
importation, then it becomes pro-
hibitory, and the Government does
not derive revenue, by reason OF the
prohibition, and 1t must look else
where for the means of support-to
direct taxation. III it costs 81 To
produce an article in England. and
50. so to produce the same article
here, by paying fair wages to The
laborer, then the tariff Of fifty cents,
or about that, would enable our
manufacturer to compete with the
foreign article and at the same time
afford just compensation TO his
engaged in the production.
The Ohio platform simply outlines
leaving the details to Congress.
But how "not TO create or foster
monopolies." A tariff on an arti-
Gle produced in this country SO high
that ii prevents its importation
will produce a monopoly, and II
will foster the monopoly
and deprive the Government Of the
revenue necessary for its support.
The price of the article produced
will depend only on the greed OF.
the producer. Home competition
for time might reduce the price,
but the modern methods OF cOnsOli-
lation would soon destroy and pre-.
vent competition.
Our tariff duties now realize 10
the General Government about
5000, ,000, 900 annually. This amount
together with the amount produced
by internal revenue laws, is more
than sufficient TO pay the expenses
Of the General Government and
pay the interest on the public debt.
1t Will be the business of Congress
to so adjust and arrange the tariff
duties ON importations, from which
tins immense sum is to be realized,
that American labor will receive
ample and adequate protection
The field for adjustment, with
view to accomplish the purposes
and object aimed at by the Ohio
in their platform, Is
arge enough, and we doubt IL the
National Convention could invent
declaration of Views that would
,ome nearer to representing the
of the largest number of
Democrats throughout the Union,
md at the same time afford the
pest promise of that harmony
which is essential If the Democracy
ropes to occupy a position where 1t
nay enjoy any voice or influence in
ne adjustment of any ofthe affairs
II government.