The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-01

fore, be fostercd and cherished. We favor the re-
peal Of all laws restricting the free action labor,
and the enactment OF laws by which labor organi-
zations may be Incorporated and OF all such legis-
lation as win tend TO enlighten the people as TO
the true relations Of capital and labor.
This will certainly please the labor
element. II will be remembered that
ex-senator Wallace, of Pennsylvania,
who was delegate To this convention,
is the author of the act providing for
the creation of labor tribunals in that
State for the purpose of adjusting la
Dor disputes by arbitration. The in.
corporation of labor organizations
would give them legal standing
which could not be ignored in the
treatment of labor disputes. The Chi
nese question and the imported labor
question are treated rs follows
In roaiIlrmng the declaration of the Democratic
platform of 1856, that the liberal principles en-
bodied by Jefferson in the Declaration of Indepen-
dence and sanctioned in the constitution, which
make ours the land OF liberty and the asylum Of
the oppressed OF every nation have ever been car
dinal principles in the Democratic faith, we new
ertheless do not sanction the Importation Of for
eign labor or the admission OF scrvile races unit
ted by habits training religion or kindred for alb
sorption into the great body OF our people, for
the citizenship which our laws confer. American
civilization demands that against the lmmigra-
ton or Importation Of Mongolians to these shores
our gates be closed.
The only reference made to the in
ternal revenue system of taxation is a
quasi favorable one IL is called a
''war tax" but is not denounced, nor is
repeal called for Instead of this, a
method is suggested of making a per-
petual disposition of the funds arising
from the collection, as follows
The system of direct taxation known as the ain
ternal revenue" is war tax. and so long as 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 q fund to defray the expenses OF the care
and comfort Of worthy soldiers disabled In line of
duty In the wars OF the Republic, and for the pay
ment OF such pensions as Congress mey from time
to time grant to such soldiersa like fund for the
sailors having been already provided-and any
surplus should be paid into the Treasury.
The Republican party is arraigned
in vigorous language for neglecting
our merchant marine. The plank re-
ferring to this subject says, among
other things:
| Despite twenty years of peace, Republican rule
and policy have managed TO surrender to Great
Britain, along with our commerce, the control OF
the markets OF the world. Instead Of the Repub.
iican party British policy, we demand In behalf Of
1 tt.o na,.,,
1t is very true that, no matter wha,
the cause of American commercial de-
cadence may have been, vigorous eff
forts should have been put forth long
before this by our Government to re
store the merchant marine of this coun
try to its old condition of commanding
Importance. The Republicans deserve
reproach for their apathy in this mat
ter, which should have received promp
aud earnest attention Immediately af
ter the close of the war. What coult
then have been done easily will now re
quire immense cxertion and perhaps
many years of the most persistent eff
fort, as other nations besides our great
est competitor, Great Britain, hav,
done much to prevent us from securin!
our share of tho foreign carrying
trade.
Both of the great political partie,
have now completed their preparation
for the campaign. They have selected
their leaders and avowed their primer
Piles. The candidates on both side
have strong points of personal popular
ity in their favor, and every effort ha
been made by ingenious platform
builders to please the conservative bus
mess element as well as the labor AM
manufacturing interest of the country
The platforms are so constructed tina
differences of meaning will be Difficult
to demonstrate, and an effort will b
made to have their opponents Judge
by the speeches of their Congressiona
Representatives made last winter i
the heat of animated debate, rathe
) than by the deliberate statement @
principles made by carefully sel,'cte
committee appointed for the purpos
of drawing up declaration to be sui
mitted to the great body of America
Q voters in the hope of securing their az
proval. But the campaign has hardl
: opened yet, and before it is half owe
some issue now i'll defined may assum
e prepOuderating Importance and driv
: the tariff question to the rear as
: thing settled, dismissed and no longe
!. to be bothered over. This is col
+ summation devoutly to be wished, as
s business man or manufacturer coul
S then look upon the strife of politician
! without thought of possible interruI
!. ton to his business during season {
i tariff tinkering by Congress, or
n possible destruction of that business b
y a mere change in the administration.