The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-18


everywhere, there are American industries strug-
Cling with the mighty forces of nature, and
subduing combining, and utilizing the elements
of the earth and the air, and any view of our in
dustrial system which fails to comprehend all
these necessarily leads to partial and erroneous
conclusions. Taking that broad view of them
which comprehends the smallest as we'll as the
greatest, and appreciates the interests of the
whole, instead of part only, it is impossible to
understand how their growth and prosperity can
be promoted by taxation in any form. 1t is not
difficult to see how system which prevents
competition, and therefore increases prices. may
enable an individual who has capital involved IN
particular industry, to realize profits instead
that this must always be done at
the expense of the consumers of his
products who are, also, as a general
rule, engaged in industrial pursuits. In every
such case the actual losses precisely the same
as If competition had not been prevented and
prices had not been increased but instead of be-
ing borne by the individual who carries on the
business. they fall upon the purchasers of his
products and are paid out of the earnings of 9TH
er industries. The other industries, therefore,
not only make good his losses, but pay him q
proht besides. thus giving him bonus for in
vesting his capital and wasting his skill and labor
in an Improbable business
That taxation for protective purposes has re-
suited, so tar, in continuous waste of capital
and labor IN this country is conclusively shown
BY the present condition of the so-called protect
cd industries. and by the history of our legsla-
ton on the subject The early advocates of the
system proposed it only as temporary expedi-
ent to aid in the permanent establishment of cer-
tain industries. and insisted that after few
years OF dependence upon the bounty of the gov
ernment and people they would be strong enough
to stand alone and compete successfully with
their rivals, not only iE the home market but in
all others. Under the influence of this argu-
ment the first protective tariff was enacted in
1916, and yet, after seventy years have passed,
many OF the same industries which then asked
temporary assistance are now demanding more
than double the rates of duty then deemed suf-
fcient, and their accredited committees and or
gans unanimously declare that unless these
enormous bounties shall be indefinitely con-
t'uued, the industries must cease to exist Ac-
cordlDg to their own showing, the policy in
augurated nearly three quarters of a century ago
for tie purpose of rendering them independent
and self-Eustainlng has had exactly the opposite
effect Its constant tendency has been,
and Is now, to impair their ability to compete
wlth@the products of similar industries else
where, and to make them more and more de-
pendent upon bounties and special legisla-
tion Tor support 1t has added largely to the
cost of production by increasing the price of ma.
chinery and materials and the necessaries of life;
it has confined the products of the so-called pro-
tected industries to the home market exclusively
so that the amount of production must be regu-
lated by the domestic demand alone, and opera
tions must be suspended when that demand is
changes, partially excluding the products of our
other industries from profitable markets abroad,
diminishing their earnings aud arresting their
growth and prosperity; it has provoked other
governments to resort to retaliatory measures,
discriminating against products
and trade in their own ports and
markets, and giving preference 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
han fhoi 0VUp - hac fly
that spirit of independence and enterprise which
is absolutely Indispensable to the successful
prosecution of business in this age of improve
ment and progress
''These are only few of the evils which the
existing system of taxation has inflicted upon
thehcouptry. Many valuable industries which
wodid have tiourished without it have been tor
tured to death By its unequal burdens and unjust
determinations, while others have been crushed
By the combinations and monopolies which it
creates and sustains Some have prospered in
spite of,t, but the sum of the peoples wealth.
NihAAeGgregate ACCUMULATION of savings in all
bfaTnes of industry is undoubtedly much less
than it ought to have been and would have been
under more equal revenue system and more
liberal commercial policy. A few have become
very rich, but may have become very poor, and
the gulf between luxury and penury is growing
wider and deeper day by day. This unnatural
and dangerous condition of affairs could not pos
siby exist IN young and rapidly developing
country like ours If the laws and regulations
affecting the creation and distribution of wealth
just and equal in their operation. With
fertile soil and friendly climate; with mex
haustible stores Of coal and iron, the two most
powerful material agencies in our modern ciyili-
Zation; with vast extent of uroccuped and un-
developed territory; with free institutions and an
intelligent, industrious and enterprising popula-
tion. we ought to be exempt from the social and
political diseases which affict the crowded nations
of the old world, and we will be exempt from
them when we tax all alike and protect all alike.
Living IN such country and surrounded by the
marvellous aefnevements of the most wonderful
half century In the annals of the human race if
the people continue unprosperous and discon-
Rented: II wealth continues TO accumulate rapid
~ in the hands of the idle few, while hunger and
nakedness increase in the very homes of indus
try; and If invested capital remains uneasy and
insecure and labor dissatisfied it will be burn
ing disgrace to the craftsmanship of the age
and terrible weight of responsibility will rest
upon those who reject all measures of relief and
cling with stubborn tenacity to the worst feat
ures of the system under which these evils have
originated and attained their present proper
tions. But. gentlemen, no matter who may
desert or who may falter, the great fight for re-
form will go on. This country does
not belong to either the monopolists
or the communists, and the people will
save it from both. Between the two there
stands great and powerful body of enlightened,
conservative and patriotic citizens, who respect
equally the rights of capital and labor. who
ooey Inc laws and preserve the public peace,
and who, in spite of all combinations and con-
spiracies, will ultimately see that the true prin-
ciples of justice and equality prevail in the leeis
lation of the country Even to prevent the con-
tinuance of long existing and constantly increas-
ing evils, they will not rush from one extreme
to another, but will proceed carefully, deliber-
etely and resolutely to correct inequalities, re-
move unnecessary burdens, and open the paths
that lead to peace and prosperity. While
free trade is impracticable, industria! and
commercial emancipation can and will be ac-
complished by wise and moderate measures OF
reform, without interfering with any private en-
terprise or injuring any public interest To
this some of us, at least. irrevocably pledged,
not only by the traditions and declarations OF
the political party to which we belong. but by
sense of personal and official duty which cannot
be disregarded without hetraying the confidence
reposed IN us by the people. Whether in public
or ID private life, shall stand by that pledge,
and, to the extent of my abilities and opportuni-
ties, contribute in every way possible to the