Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-10-05

fIorn the increased cost caused by the
tariff ON such material, hut the I1ianufaC-
tured product being thus cheapened, that
part of the tariff now laid upon such pro-
duct as a compensation to our manutac-
turers for the present price of raw material
could be accordingly modified. Such re
duction, or free importation, would serve,
beside, to reduce the revenue. 1t is not
apparent how such change could have
any injurious effect upon our manutac-
turers. On the contrary 1t would appear
to give them a better chance i'll foreign
markets with the manufacturers of other
countries, who cheaper their wares by
free material. Thus our people might
have the opportunity of extending their
sales beyond the limits of home CON
sumption, saving them from the depres-
sion, interruption TO business and loss
caused by a glutted domestic market and
affording their employees more certain
and steady labor with its resulting quiet
and contentment
PATRIOTISM SHOULD GOVERN TARIFF
DISCUSSION.
The question thus imperatively pre-
scented for solution should be approached
in spirit higher than partsanship and
considered i'll the light of that regard for
patriotic duty which should characterize
the action of those intrusted with the
veal of a confiding people. But the
obligation to declared party policy and
principle is not wanting to urge prompt
and effective action. Both great political
parties now represented in the govern
ment have by repeated and authoritative
declarations condemned the condition of
our laws which permits the collection
from the people of unnecessary revel lie,
and have in the most solemn manner
promised its correction, and neither as
citizens nor partisans are our countrymeu
i'll a mood to Condone the deliberate
violation of these pledges.
Our progress toward a wise conclusion
will not be improved by dwelling upon
the theories of protection and free trade
This Savofs too much of bandying
epithets.
1t is a condition which confronts us
not a theory. Relief from this condition
may involve slight reduction of the add
vantageS which we award our home pro-
auctions, but the entire withdraw of such
advantages should not be contemplated.
The question of free trade is absolutely
irrelevant and the persistent claim, made
in certain quarters, that all efforts to
relieve the people from unjust and I'M
necessary taxation are schemes of So
called free traders" is mischievous and
far removed from any consideration for
the public good. The simple and plain
duty which we owe the people is to re-
duCe the taxation to the necessary ex-
penses of an economical operation of the
government, and to restore to the business
OF the country the money which we hold
i'll the treasury through the perversion
of governmental powers. These things
can and should be done with safety to all
our industries without danger to the
opportunity for remuneratlve labor which
our workingmen have, and with benefit to
them and all our people, by Cheapening
their means of subsistence and increasing
the measure of their comforts.
AS TO THE STATE OF THE UNION.
The constitution provides that the
president shall, from time to time, give
to congress information of the state of the
union" 1t has been the custom of the
executive, i'll compliance with this pro-
vision to annually exhibit to congress, at
the opening of its session, the general
condition ofthe country, and to detail with
some particularly the operation of the
different executive departments. 1t would
be especially agreeable to follow this
course at the present time and to call at
tention to the valuable accomplishments
of these departments during the fiscal
year. But | am SO much impressed with
the paramount Importance of the subject
to which this communication has thus
far been devoted, that l shall forego the
addition of any other topic, and only
urge upon your immediate consideration
" the state Of the union as shown i'll the
present condition of our country and our
general fiscal situation, upon which every
element of our safety and prosperity
depends
The reports of the heads of depart
ments, which will be submitted, contain
full and explicit information touching
the transaction of the business entrusted
to them, and such recommendations re-
lating to legislation in the public interest
as they deem advisable. l ask for these
reports and recommendations the delib-
crate examination and action of the
legislative branch of the government
There are other subjects not embraced in
the departmental reports demanding
Legislative consideration and which /
should be glad to submit Some of them,
however, have been earnestly presented
in previous messages, and as to them
beg leave to repeat prior recemmenda-
tons.
As the law makes no provision for any
report from the department of state a
brief history of the transactions of that
important department together with Other
matters which it may hereafter be deemed
essential to commend to the attention of
congress, may furnish the occasion for a
future communication.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 1887.
National Democratic Platform.