Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-18


people they would be strong enough to stand
alone ana compete successfully with their
rivals, not only in the home market but in all
others; Under the influence of this argu-
ulenS the hrst protective tariff was enacted
IN lSl6, and yet, after seventy years have
passed, many OF the same industries which
tneh asked temporary assistance only are
now demanding more than double the rates
OF duty then deemed sufficient, and accredited
committees and organs unanimously declare
thaC unless these enormous bounties
shaIl be indefinitely continued the industries
must cease to exist. According TO their own
showing the policy inauguraUed nearly three
quarters OF century ago for the purpose of
rendering them independent and self-sustain-
lhg' mas mad exactly the opposite effect. Its
constant tendency has been and IS now TO i'm
pair thelr ability to compete with the pro-
uuGts OF similar industries elsewhere, and to
maze them more and more dependent upon
Oountles ana special legislation for support.
INCREASED COST OF PRODUCTION.
1t has added largely to the cost of produc-
Noh oy lncreasing the price of machinery aud
materials and the necessaries of life. 1t has
conhned the products of the So called pro-
Vected industries TO the home market eXclu-
SlVely. so that the amount of production must
be regulated by the domestic demand, and
operations must be suspended when that de-
mand Is satisfied. 1t has obstructed inter-
national exchange, thus partially excluding
the products Of our other industries from
prontaole markets abroad, diminishing their
earnings, arresting their growth aud
prosperity. 1t has provoked other
sSry measures tS resort IT, Gtse
against our products and trade in their own
ports and markets, ana gives preference to
the products and trade of our most formidable
rivals, and here at home by encouraging capi-
tai and labor to rely upon legislation for
profits rather than their own capacity Is has
greatly impaired that spirit of independence
ana enterprise which is absolutely inds-
pensaDle TO the successful prosecution of busi-
ness in this age of Improvement and progress.
Ihese are only few of the evils which the
existing system OF taxation has inflicted upon
which would have fiourished without 1t
nave been tortured to death by it's unequal
burdens and unjust Determinations, while
others nave been crushed by the combinations
anu monopolles which II creates and sustains,
Some have prospered IN spite of it, but the
sum OF the peoples wealth, the aggregate
accumulation of savings in all branches of
Industry is undoubtedly mach less than it
ought to have been and would have been
under more equal revenue system ana more
liberal commercial policy.
oPULENCE AND STARVATION.
A few have become very rich, but many
have become very poor, and the gulf between
luxury and penury is growing wider and
deeper day by day. This unnatural and dan
gerous condition of affairs could not possibly
exist in young and rapidly developing coun-
try 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
lron-two of the most powerful
material agencies in our modern
cultlvation-with vast extent of occupied
and undeveloped territory, with free instItu-
tions. and intelligent, industrious and an en-
terprlslng population. we ought TO be exempt
from the social and political diseases which
afflict the crowded nations of the Old
World, and we VIII be exempt
from them when we tax all
alike and protect all alike. Living in such a
country and surrounded by the marvellous
achievements OF the most wonderful half
century In the annals OF the human race, if
the people continue unprosperous and discon-
tented, II wealth continues to accumulate
rapidly in the hands of the idle few while
hunger and nakedness increase in the very
homes of industry, and If invested
capital remains uneasy and insecure and la
Dor dissatisfied, it will be a burning disgrace
to the craftsmanship of the age and a terrible
weight of responsibility will rest upon these
who reject 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 propor-
tlOns.
THE COUNTRY's SAFEGUARD.
But, gentlemen, no matter who may desert
or may falter the great fight for reform will
go on. This country does not belong to either
monopOlsts or Communists, and the people
will save it from both. Between these two
there stands the great and powerful body of
enlightened, conservative and patriotic citi-
Zens who respect equally the rights of
capital and labor, who obey the laws
and preserve the public peace, and who in
spite of all combinations and consplraces will
ultimately see that the true principles of
Justice and equality prevail in the legislation
of the country. Even to prevent continuance
of the long existing and constantly increasing
evils they will not rush from one extreme to
another, but will proceed carefully, deliber-
ately and resolutely to correct inequalities,
remove unnecessary burdens and open paths
that lead to peace and prosperity. While
free trade Is impracticable, industrial and
commercial emancipation can and VIII be ac-
cOmplished by wise and moderate measures
of reform without interfering with any pri-
vate enterprise orn njuring any public interest.
To this some of us at least are irrevOcably
pledged not only by the traditions and declara-
lions of the political party to which we belong,
put by D sense OF personal and official
duty which cannot be dlSregarded without
betraying the confidence reposed 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 opportunities con-
tribute in every way to the early and COM
plete triumph OF revenue reform.
SENATOR BECK's ATTITUDE.
Senator Beck, in discussing taxation
and the proper disposition OF our surplus
revenue, said:
am not a free trader. All who read the
part | took in the great debate In the Senate
III bbuuhAys ECbIbdAJ anu Nus Aooos hhON
that / can afford to stand on the record then
made. Free trade produces no revenue.
PTohibitory protection produces none. The
only difference between the two to the people
would be cheap goods under free trade. Dear
goods under protection and goods at half
LriCe simply means double wages. ,
But the government must have revenue
suficlenC to support an economical admins
tration OF public affairs, and outside OF whisky
and tobacco, which are legitimate objects OF
taxation, / agree that the balance Of the
needed revcnue ought to be raised by tarln
taxation and that II ought to be 70 adjusted
as to be as near As practicable uniform
throughout the Uni'ed States, and
that II should foster. stimulate and
encourage the argest amount OF production
moving the burdens and charges, especially
on raw materials. so that our manufactured
goods could be sent TO Central and South
America, to Asia. Africa and the islands of
the seas, and give our factory operatives
work for twelve months instead Of six.
DIRECT TAXATION OPPOSED.
T. ia useless to talk about raising revenue
by direct taxes which must be apportioned
among the several states in proportion TO
their population, as determined by the pre-
cedlng census. Taxation proportioned TO
population Is more unjust and unequal than
even bad tariG taxation.
A few words about the surplus revenues OF
the government and 1 am done. or
course they were produced by excessive
taxation and can only he properly
stOuped by n reduction Of taxes. We cannot
loek up hundreds OF millions in the Treasury
without bankrupting the people by depriyug
them of thor circulating medium. God