The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1884-09-04
power. the machinery Of law

boasts of the accumulation. In contrast
with the low taxes, and short revenue,
and empty treasury OF former days, the
high rates and 0yeTliOwing Treasury of
these times become. In the appreciation
OF himself aud liis political associates,
the achievements OF exalted statesman
ship. Learning aud argument are ex'
hausted In the political papers OF these
times In support OF high taxation, TO tho
end and for the purpose OF relieving
favored classes from the competition OF
generous and liberal trade, OF course,
revenue reform must come from other
quarters. II cannot come from the rep
resentati0ne OF favored classes. who ask
inequality In Legislation that there may
be unjust inequality In the profits OF
the varied pursuits Of the people.
May ask your attention 10 the plan
aud principles OF revenue reform, TO
which tho Democracy are pledged by the
Chicago platform. Federal taxation
''shall not exceed tho needs OF the Gov.
ernment economically administered"
Do you approve thatp II not, would you
have the Government wastefnlly or cor
ruptly administered to make room and
pretext for higher taxesY Federal
taxation shall be exclusively for public
purposes" Would you have II other
wiser II taxation can have for its object
other than public purposes, then what
purp0sesp May the object and purp0se
be individual and private gainp | do
not question that II may be and often II
an incident that one man receives u
greater benefit or carries a greater bur
den than another because OF "a prescribed
tax. II buy an imported article with
duty upon II, bear the burden OF that
duty. II you manufacture like article
and sell II at an advance Of price equal
10 the duty, then TO that extent you are
benefited, But the individual beneGt OF
burden Ia not the object or purpose "
the law; II Ia but the necessary incident,
Nor do question that In the adjust.
ment OF the detalla OF tariif law tn
legislative mind and judgment may aud
will be Influenced not only by consider
ations OF general policy, but also by the
probable effect Of tho measure upon the
business Interests OF tho country. IL II
In accordance with this sentiment that
the Democratic party stands pledged IL
Its platform ito reylse the tariff In
a spirit OF fairness 10 all interests,
and that "any change OF law must be
NJ every step regardtup OF tho labor
and capital employed In the industries
OF the country, aud that CustOm-housr
taxes shall bear heaviest on articles Of
luxury and lighteSt on articles OF neces
slty." and that "the necessary reduction
In taxat on can and must be effected
without depriying American labor OF
the ability TO compete successfully with
foreign labor"
These principles Of the platform are
plainly written and easily understood
They present the conservative purpose
Of the Democracy touching revenue re-
form. When expressed In the laws thelr
DeneAcent influence will become active
and universal. Low taxes will algniiy
lighter burdens upon the people; money
returning 10 tho channels OF trade; on
terprise restored and stimulated, renew
ed demand for the products OF industry
and the consequent increase demand fOI
labor, aud universal prosperity. IL The
$i00 100000 now locked up In the Treas
ury we're restored 10 the channels Oi
trade and commerce, who can doubt thai
labor would And employment and tht
manufactures market for his fabrlcai
The condition Of
OUR ocEAN COMMERCE.
Is disgraceful. We are a nation OF pro
ducers, and our exchanges with Other
nations are enormous. The worlds tive
greatest oceans wash our shores, W.
are one OF tho nations OF the earth mosl
highly endowed by nature with u spirit
OF natural enterprise But practically
we have no merchant marine, Enjoy
Ing, as we do, all the natural conditions
under which II might be supposed would
arise the greatest commercial navy IN
the world, we are dependent upon for
eign nations for our ocean commerce
Our own merchant navy has disappear
cd from the seas, aud the owners oI
foreign vessels are enriched by the pro
fits that we should earn ourselves. The
obituary OF our merchant navy is writ
ton In our tariff and shipping laws. III
spirit OF enterprise and daring thu,
once brought wealth 10 our shores ant
pride 10 our people, and thu
furnished congenial employment
TO thousands OF our brave aud
hardy sons, Ia now buried In the treas
ury vaults under those four milllons o.
which Mr.. CalkiDs vaunts.
Tho lamentable condition In which
our war navy and coast defenses ar,
found NJ the eid OF near twenty years o
Republican rule 10 we'll described b,
Senator Harrison In his able speech do
liyered In this city on the 2ith OF Aug
ust. He saya; "The highest mllItar,
and naval authorities OF tho countr,
have again and again, In official report
10 Congress, declared that we are with
out navy, and that our sea.coast do
fenees are not worthy Of tho name, W,
have no guns for our ships, none for oul
coast fortillcations." y
''rhe utter helplessnoss and nakednes
OF our country In the matter OF shin
and coast defenses Ia conceded by ever,
American and known In every Foreign
court. II is q subject OF amagemon
and modification that, with abundan
resources, this nation should consent :,
occupy 10 contemplate position anon,
the maritime nations OF tho world
There 10 more than ono South American
Government which has n navy will
which ours could not cope. II has beer
aaid upon the highest authority tina
Chill has armored ships that could sai
into the harbor OF San Francisco ant
put that great city under contribution
at pleasure"
Who is responsible for this amazinl
condition OF thingsp What party hole
the reine Of political power while IN,
navy was rotting down and the coas,
fortiiicati0ns were passing into dilapi
datlonp Senator Harrison did no
charge that the Democratic psaty suf
fered this condition Of things 20 conn
about or that II was responsible for II
He could not do that. What he charges
is that NJ o late session OF Congress
after tho navy had practically ceaeed Il
exist, and tho coast defenses becom,
worthless, Democratic Congressman do
a