The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-09-13

being exempt from the influence and
effects of an immense surplus lying idle
IN the national treasury, our wage earners
and Others who rely upon taeir labor for
support are most of all directly con-
cerned in the situation. Others, seeing
THE APPROACH OF DANGER,
may provide against it, but it will find
those spending upon their daily toll for
bread unprepared, helpless aud defense-
less.
Such a state of affairs does not present
a case of idleness resulting from disputes
between the laboring man and his
employer, but it produces an
absolute and enforced stoppage
of employment and wages. In reviewing
the sad effects of this accumulated surplus
and the scale of tariff rates by which it is
produced, we must not overlook the tend
ency toward the gross and
scandalous public extravaganza which a
congested treasury induces in
time of profound peace-substantially the
rate of tariff duties imposed in time of
war, when the necessities of the govern
ment justified the imposition of the
weightiest burdens upon the people.
Divers plans have been suggested for a
return of this accumulated surplus to the
people and the channels of trade. Some
of these devices are at variance
with all the rules of good finance;
some are delusive; some are absurd and
some betray by their reckless extrava-
gance the demoralizing influence of a
great surplus of public money
upon the judgments of in
dIyiduals. While such efforts should
be made as are consistent with public
duty, and sanctioned by sound judgment
to avoid danger by useful disposition of
the surplus now remaining in the treasury,
it is evident that if it's distribution were
accomplished another accumulation would
soon take its place, if a con-
slant flow of redundant income
was not checked at its source by a
reform in our present tariff laws. We
do not propose to deal with those con-
dltions by merely attempting to satisfy
the people of the truth of abstract
theories, nor by alone urging
their assent to political doctrine.
We present to them the propositions that
they are unjustly treated in the extent of
present federal taxation; that, as result,
a condition of extreme danger exists; and
that it is for them to demand
remedy and that defense and safety
promised in the guarantees of their free
government. We believe that the same
means which are adopted to relieve the
the treasury OF its present surplus and
prevent its recurrence should
cheaper to our people the cost OF
supplying their daily wants. Both of
these objects we seek in part to gain by
reducing the present tariff rates upon the
NEoEssARIEs OF LIFE.
We fully appreciate the Importance tc
the country of our domestic industrial
| enterprises, and in rectitication of the exist
ing wrongs their maintenance should be
carefully and in friendly spirit con-
sidered. Even such reliance 3por the
present revenue arrangements as have
been invited or encouraged should be fairly
and Justly regarded. Abrupt and radica
changes which might ,endanger such On
terprises and fnjuriously affect The
interests of labor dependent upor
their success and continuance are
not contemplated or intended
But we know the cost of our domestic
manufactured products is increased anG
their price to the consumer enhanced BY
the duty imposed upon the material useC
in their manufacture. We know that thil
increased cost prevents the sale of GU
productions at foreign markets in com
petition with those countries which hav
the advantage of
FREE RAW MATERIAL.
We know that, confined to the HON
market, our manufacturing operation
are curtailed, their demand TO
labor irregular, and the seal
of wages paid uncertain. We propose
therefore, to stimulate our domestic in
dustrial enterprises by freeing from dut,
imported raw materials which, by tn
employment of labor, are used in GU
home manufactures, thus extending tn
markets for their sale and permitting al
increased and steady production with al
allowance of abundant profits. True tt
the undertaking course of the democratic
party, we will not neglect the interest,"
of labor and our workiDgme
in all efforts to remedy existing evils. W
will furnish no excuse for loss of en- ploy
ment or reduction of the wages of homes
toll. On the contrary, we propose, in an
| adjustment of our revenue law, to COZ
cede such arrangement and advantage
to the employers of domestic labor a
will easily compensate for any differenc
that may exist between the standard Q
wages which should be paid to our labor
ing men and the rate allowed
other countries. We propose, too
by extending the markets for OF
manufactures, to promote the steady en-
ployment of labor, while, by cbeapenin
the cost of the necessaries of life, we in
crease the purchasing power of the worl
ingman's wages and add to the comfort
of his home. And, before passing frol
this phase of the question, am col
strained to express the opinion that viii
the interests of labor should be alway
sedulously regarded in any modifcatio
of our tariff laws, an additional and MOI
direct and efficient protection to thoE
interests would be afforded by the restrit
ton and prohibition of immigration,
the importation of laborers from 9th
countries, who swarm upon our shores, ha
ing no purpose or intent of becoming o.
fellow-citizens, or acquiring any pc
; manent interest in our country, but wi
crowd every field of employment with III
intelligent labor, at wages which Dug
not to satisfy those who make claim
American citizenship.
q THE PLATFORM ADOPTED
by the late national convention of o.
party contains the following declaratio
T Judged by democratic principles 4