The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-08-07
HON. j. T. BRACKINRIDGE.
His Views on the Tariff ana Other oues-
tious

MS views ON the Tartn ana Other Cues
lions.
Col. d. Y. Hayes, Mason. Texas:
DEAR Su}-Your kind letter to
hand, and / note with good deal of
interest your remarks as to the de-
sires and feelings of the democracy of
your portion @ this congressional dis
trict. The desire of your section to
honor Walter Acker is very natural,
as he is goOd democrat, has unques-
tionable ability. and possesses great
integrity in Whatever pertains to his
personal honor or political consistency.
1 am very much gratified at your
saying that you believe the whole
party can be united on any strong,
sound democrat 1t any of our friends
are apprehensive that their interests
may be injured by the election of an
ultra, absolute free trader. you can
allay their fears by declaring that
there is no aspirant In this district
who entertains such sentiments. If
there was, he would be regarded as
visionary and impracticable, and
ought to be.
am not an aspirant for any office,
and never expect to be;
but from sense of duty, /
have always taken great interest
In politics. | am y democrat from
conviction, and believe that upon the
establishment of our government,
and its maintenance according to the
principles of democracy, depend the
perpetuity of our government and the
happiness and prosperity of our peo-
pie. Therefore, you Will pardon me
for giving some of my ideas in regard
to what appears to agitate the public
most-to-wit: the regulation and ad-
justment of the tariff. L believe:
ElrSt-That under The constitution,
congress has no right to levy and col.
lect any taxes from the people, except
for the defraylug of the expenses nee
essarily incurred in carrying en- and
maintaining the gov eminent in all of
It's departments, and the payment of
the national debt.
Second-That these taxes should be
collected at the custom houses of the
United States in shape OF duties i'm
posed UPON imports-not by the
free trade idea necessitating
direct We will Low see how the
word 'judiciously" Effects it.
First-Nith knowledge that the
duties imposed will guarantee sniff
Gent revenue for governmental pur-
poses.
Second-Duties imposed judiciously
so as to be the least burdeDsome to the
people in the purchase of the necessar-
les OF life (thus doing as little harm as
possible.)
Third-Judiciously imposed so as
not to cripple any OF the Industries of
the country, but rather to promote
their healthy growth (thus doing as
mu"h good as possible)
In the interest Of husbandry, de-
partment has been established and
maintained, at the expense of the peo-
pie, called the agricultural depart
ment," its object being to encourage,
elevate and advance agriculture in all
its departments
Another department maintained in
the same way at the expense
of the people, in the interests
OF agriculture and science is called
the "Patent Office" Its object is
tn encourage inventions and pro-
tect genius in the advantages
growing out of her creations. Thus
it has always been the policy of true
democracy to encourage and advance
every material industry and interest
of the country by constitutional
methods. The democratic platforms
enunciates the doctrine that the adj
justmeot of the tariff shall be Sin
spirit of fairness to ali interests" "but
in making reductions it is not pro-
tries, but rather to promote their
healthy growth" Moreover many in
dustries have come to rely upon legis-
lation for successful continuance, 80
that any change of law must be at
capital thus involved"
There should exist no apprehension
in the mind Of any one on account of
the nomination of true democrat;
because, if true, he must subscribe to
the principles and doctrines as de-
clared in the democratic platform
adopted by the national convention at
Chicago. Thai platform gives
guarantee that no haSty legislation
will be enacted, but that every move
and measure shall be conservative.
[ take it that any good democrat
representing this district in congress
would watch, in the adjustment OF
the tariff, and see that the interests OF
his constituents were not discriml-
mated against, and that I'LL and just
share of the benefits growing out OF
adjustment should inure to them.
If | read the signs of the times cor
rectly, the people will soon again re-
sumo control of the government in all
of its departments restoring demo-
cratic ideas and prin eiples, doing good
to every interest and harm to none.
/ am, res pectfuliy.
j. Il. y kACKENRIDGE