Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-07-11

I
nv-d delays, or actual connivsnce
of the prosecution. Honeyconbed with
corruption, outbreakinG exposures no
longer shock its moral sense. Its honest
members. its independent journals, no
longer msintail q successful contest for
authority II its eounsels or q veto on
Dad nominations That a change Is
ne ,essary Is proved by an existing sur
pIus o. SlO.U0,oo. which the Repaid
means have yearly collected from
Unnecessary TAXATION We denounce
the Republican party for having failed
TO relieve the people from the crushing
var taxes which have paralyZed bust
hess, crippled industry and deprived
labor of employment and of its Just re
ward. The Democracy pledges itself
10 purify the administration from
corruption, 10 restore economy, to
revive respect for law, and 10
reduce tax alton to the lowest limit CON
sisient with due regard to she preserva-
walton Of the faith of the natior to is
creditors and pensioners. knowing
full vel however, thai legislation
affecting tine revenues of the people
should Dc caa:loas and conservative in
method, not in advance of poblic
opinion, but respOu-lve to it's dem ands,
the Democratic party IL pledged to re-
wise sne tarIt IN spirit of fairness TO
all Interests. Bat IA making a reiuc-
tIoa IN taxes il il not proposed to iniure
any domestic industries, BAT rather to
promote their healthy growth. From
the foundation of this government
taxes collected at the custom house we're
the chief source of Federal revenue,
and such they must continue 10 be.
Moreover, many Industries have come
to rely upon Legislation for their suc-
cessful continuance, so that any change
OF law must be az every step re2ardfui
OF the labor and capital thus involved.
The process of reform must be subject
10 this plain dictate of justice.
All taxation shall be limited to
the necessary requirements of an
economical government. The necessary
reduction can and must be effected with
out deprIvlng American labor of the
ability TO compete successfully with for
elgn labor and without imposing lower
rates OF duty than will be able to cover
any increased cost Of production which
N iy exist In consequence of the higher
Fate of wages prevailing 10 this country.
Sufficient revenue to pay all expenses
of the Fedeftl Government sconomi
cally administered, including pensions,
and interest and principal of the public
debt, can be got under our present sys-
tenn OF taxes from custom house taxes
on fewer imported articles, bearing she
heaviest on articles of luxury aud bear
ing the lightest on articles of necessity.
We, therefore, denounee the abuses of
the existing tariff, and, subject to the
limitations, We demand that federal
taxation shall be exclusively for pub
nd hsat ,.f
needs of the government economically
administered. The system of direct
taxation, known as the internal rev
enue," is a war tax, and so long as the
law continues, the duty derived there
from should be sacrediy devoted to the
relief of the people from the remaining
burdens of the war, and made fund to
detrey the expense Of the care and COM |
fort of worthy soldiers disabled in the
| line OF duty In the wars of the Republic, |
and for the payment of such pensions |
Al Congress may, from time 10 time,
grant TO such soldiers, a like fluid for |
the soldiers having been already pro-
Sided; and any surplus should be paid
into the Treasury.
We favsr an American continental |
policy, based upon mere intimate com
mercial and political relations with tue |
fifteen sister republics of North, Central |
aud South America, but .entailing al |
lance with none.
We believe in honest money-the gold |
| and silver coinage. and of the cultlva |
ton and circulation of a medium CON
vertible into such money.
without less asserting the equality of |
all men before the law, We hold that it |
| IL the duty of the Government In its |
dealings with the people to mete out |
equal and exact justice to all citizens, |
of whatever nativity, race color or per-
suaslon, religious or political.
We believe in free ballot and fair |
count, and We recall to the memory of |
the people the noble struggle of the |
Democrats IN the 45th and 10th Con-
Rress, by which reluctant Republican
opposition was compelled to assent to |
legislation making everywhere illegal
tue presence of troops at tae polls, as
conclusive proof that Democratic ad-
ministratioR will preserve Liberty and
order.
The selection of federal officers for
the Territories should be restricted to
citizens previously residents thereof.
We Oppose sumptaary laws which vex
the cit!z "a and utter ere with individual
liberty.
We favor honest reform in the com
pensation Of all Uaited States officers
by fixed salaries, the separation of
church and state. and the diffusion of |
free education by common schools, SD
that every child in the land may be
taught the rights and duties of citizen
ship.
While We favor all legislation which
will tend to the equitable distribution
of property, to the prevention of mo
nopoly and TO the strict enforcement of
individual rights against corporate
abuses, We hold that the welfare of 50
ciety depends on scrupulous regard
for the rights of property as defined by
law. We believe that labor is best re
warded where il is fresst and most en-
li0htened. Ii should be fostered and
cherished. We favor the repeal of all
laws restraining the free action Of Ia
Dor. and the enactment of laws by |
which labor organizations may be in
creased, and all such legislation as will |
tend to enlighten the people as to the
true relations of capt. Al and labor.
We believe that the public lands /
ought, as far as possible, to be kept as
homesteads for actual settlers; that all |
unesrned lands heretofore inprevident-
ly granted to railroad corporations By /
the action OF the Republican party |
SHOULD be restored to the public do
main ; and that no more grants should |
be made to corporations or be allowed /
to fall into the ownership OF aliens.
We are opposed to all propositions |
which upon any pretsxt would convert |
the general Government into a m achiae |
for the collection of taxes TO be dis |
tributed among the States or citizens \
thereof.
In conclusion We reafiirm, a. in the |
platform OF 1856, "the liberal princi- |
pies enbodied by Jefferson in the Dec |
iaration OF Independence aad sane
tioaed in the Constitution which make |
our land the land of liberty and the |
asylum of the oppressed"