The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-07-16
The Democracy on the Tariff.

The following is that portion of the demo-
cratic platform relating to the tariff and tax
alton:
That change is necessary is proved by an
existing surplus of more than 100000, 900,
which has yearly been collected froma suffering
people. Unnecessary taxationis unjust taxation.
We denounce the republican party for having
failed to relieve the people from crushing war
taxes, which have paralyzed business, crippled
industry and deprived labor of employment and
of just reward. The democracy pledges itself to
purify the administration from corruption, to
restore economy, to revive respect for law, and
to reduce taxation to the lowest limit consistent
with due regard to the preservation Of the faith
OF the nation to its creditors and pensioners.
Knowing full well, however, that legislation
affecting the operations OF the people should be
cautious and conservative in method, not in
advance Of public opinion, but responsive to
its demands, the democratic party Is pledged
to revise the tariff in spirit Of fairness to all
interests. But in making reduction in taxes 1t
is not proposed to injure any domestic indus
tries, but rather to promote their healthy
growth. From the foundation of this govern
ment taxes collected at the custom-house have
been the chief source Of federal revenue. Such
they must continue to be. Moreover, many
industries have come to rely upon legislation
for successful continuance, 30 that any change
Of law must be at every step regardful of the
labor and capital thus involved. The process
of reform must be subject, in the execution, to
this plain dictate of justice. All taxation shall
be limited to the requirements Of economical
government. The necessary reduction in tax
alton can and must be effected without de-
priving American labor of the ability to COM
pete successfully with foreign labor, and with.
out imposing lower rates of duty than will be
ample to cover any increased cost of production
which may exist In consequence Of the higher
rate Of wages prevailing in this country. Suf-
fcient revenue to pay all the expenses OF the
federal government, economically administered,
including pensions and interest and principal
of the public debt, can be got under our present
system of taxation from custom-house taxes on
fewer imported articles, bearing heaviest on
articles OF luxury, and bearing lightest on
articles Of necessity. We therefore denounce
the abuses Of the existing tariff, and, subject
to the preceding limitations, we demand that
federal taxation shall be exclusively for public
purposes, and shall not exceed the needs OF
the government economically administered
The system of direct taxation known as the In
ternal revenue IL war tax, and 30 long AZ the
law continues the money derived therefrom
should be sacredly devoted TO the relief Of the
people from the remaining burdens of the war
and be made fund to defray the expense Of
the care and comfort Of worthy soldiers dis
abled in the line Of duty In the wars OF the re-
public, and for the payment OF such pensions
as congress may, from time to time, grant u
such soldiers, like fund for the sailors having
been already provided, and any surplus should
be paid into the treasury"