Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-12-01

advertisements.
after seventy years have passed, many ol
the same industries which then asked TEN.
porary assistance only are now demanding
more than double the rates Of duty then
desmed sufficient, and their accredited COM
mittees and organs unanimously declare that
unless these enormous beunties shall be in
definitely continued the Industries must
cease to oxist According TO thsir own
showing the policy inaugurated nearly three
quarters Of a century ago for the purpose
oil rendering them indspendent and self-sus-
tanning has had exactly the opposite effect.
Its constant tendency has been and is now
TO impair their ability 10 compete with pro-
| dncts Of slEsiiaF industries elsewhere, and to
make them more aud moro dependent up
ou
| BoCETrEs AND SPECIAL LEGISLATION
for support. 1t has added largely to the
cost Of production by increasing the price
OF machinery and materials and the necss-
sarles of life. 1t has confined the products
OF so-called protected Industries to the
home market exclusively. so that the
amount OF production must be regulated by
domestic demand, and operations must be
suspended when that demand is satisfied.
1t has obstructed International exchange,
thus par rtially excluding the products of
our other industries from the profitable
markets abroad, diminishing their earnings
and arresting their growth and prosperity.
1t has provoked other Governments to re-
sort to retaliatory measures-discrimina
ting against our products and trade in their
own ports and markets, and gives prefer
ence to the products and trade Of our most
formidable rivals; and here at home, BY
encouraging capital and labor to rely upon
legislation for profits rather than their own
capacity. 1t has greatly impaired that
spirit Of independence and enterprise which
is absolutely indispensable to successful
prosecution Of business in this age Of i'm.
provement and progress. These are only
a few of the evils which the existing sys-
tenn of taxation has inflicted upon the
country. Many valuable industries, which
would have flourished without it, have
been tortured to death by its unequal bur-
dens and unjust discrimnations, while
others have been crushed by the combina-
tions and monopolies which it creates and
sustains Some have piospered in spite of
it, but the SUM of the peoples wealth-ths
aggregate accumulation Of savings in all
branches of industry-is undoubtedly much
|
have been under more equal revenue sys-
tenn and more liberal commercial policy.
A few have
| BECOME VERY RICE,
but many have become very poor, and the
gulf between luxury and penury is growing
wider and deeper day by day. This un-
natural and dangerous condition of affairs
| could not possibly exist in a young and
| rapidly country like ours if the
| laws and regulations affecting the creation
and distribution of wealth were Just and
equal in their operation. With fertile soil
and friendly climate; with inexhaustible
stores of coal and iron. the two most power
full material agencies in our modern cul-
tivatiob; with vast extent of unoccupied
and undeveloped territory; with free institu-
tions and an intelligent, industrious, and
enterprising population, we ought to be
exempt from social and political diseases,
which afflct the crowded nations of the
Old World, and we will be exempt from
them when we
TAX ALIKE AND PROTECT ALL ALIKE.
Living in such country, and surround
| ed by the marvellous achievements Of the
most wonderful half-century in the annals
of the human race, if the people continue
| unprosperous and discontented, if wealth
continues to accumulate rapidly in the
hands of an idle few while hungers'and ma
kedness increase in the very homes of in
dustry; and if invested capital remains un-
easy and insecure and labor dissatisfied, it
will be burning disgrace to the statesman
ship of the age, and a terrible weight of
responsibility will rest upon those who re-
ject all measures of relief and cling with
stubborn tenacity to the worst features of
the system under which these evils have
originated and attained their present pro-
portions. But. gentlemen, no matter who
may desert or who may falter, the great
fight for reform will go on. This country
communists, and the people will save it
from both. Between these two there stands
the great and powerful body of enlightened,
conservative, and patriotic citizens who re-
spect equally the rights of capital and Ia
Dor, who obey the laws and preserve the
public peace, and who, in spite of all COM
binations and conspiracies, will ultimately
see that the true principles of justice and
| equality prevail in the legislation of the
country. Even to prevent the continuance
| of long existing and constantly increasing
evils they will not rush from one extreme
to another, but will proceed carefully, de-
hberately, and resolutely to correct
| inequalities, remove unnecessary burdens,
and open paths that lead to peace and pros
perity. While free trade is impracticable,
| industrial and commercial emancipation
can and will be accomplished by
| WISE AND MODERATE MEASURES OF REFORM
without interfering with any private enter
prise or injuring any public Interest. To
q
pledged, not only by traditions and decla.
rations of the political party to which we
belong, but by sense of personal aud Off
cial duty which cannot be disregarded with
out betraying the confidence repossd in US
by the people. Whether in public or in
private life shall stand by that pledge. and
to the extent of my abilities and oppor-
tunities contribute in every way to the early
and complete triumph Of revenue reform.