The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-09-15

ury lnuuceS, nor Ine IacJ tnaG we are mann
tanning without excuse, in time OF profound
peace, substantially the rate of tariff duties
imposed in time of war, when the necessities
of the government justified the imposition of
the weightiest burdens upon the people.
NO PLAN SURE WITHOUT CHANGE OF LAW.
Divers plans have been suggested for the
return of this accumulated surplus to the peo-
pie and the channels of trade. Some of these
devices are at variance with all rules of good
finance, some are delusive, some are absurd,
and some betray by their reckless extrava-
gance the demoralizing influence of great
surplus of public money upon the judgments
of individuals
While such efforts should be made as are
consistent with public duty and sanctioned by
sound Judgment to avoid danger by the useful
disposition of the surplus now remaining in
the treasury, it is evident that if its distribu-
ton were accomplished another accumula-
ton would soon take its place if the constant
flow of redundant income was not checked at
its source by reform in our present tariff
laws.
THE PEOPLE DEMAND REMEDY.
We do not propose to deal with these con
ditions by merely attempting to satisfy the
people of the truth of abstract theories, nor
| by alone urging their assent to political doc
trine. We present to them the propositions
that they are unjustly treated in the extent of
present federal taxation, that as a result
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 treasury of its present
surplus and prevent its recurrence should
cheaper to Cur 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 necessaries of life.
PROTECTING DOMESTIC ENTERPRISES.
We fully appreciate the Importance to the
country of our domestic industrial enterprises.
In the rectfcation of existing wrongs their
maintenance and prosperity should be care
fully and in friendly spirit considered.
Even such reliance upon present revenue ar
rangements as have been invited or encour
aged should be fairly and justly regarded.
Abrupt and radical changes, which might
endanger such enterprises and injuriously af-
feet the interests of labor dependent upon
their success and continuance, are not con-
templated or intended.
FREE RAW MATERIALS.
| But we know the cost of our domestic man.
ufactured products is increased and their
price to the consumer enhanced by the duty
imposed upon the raw material used in their
manufacture. We know that this increased
cost prevents the sale of our productions at
foreign markets in competition with those
countries which have the advantage of free
raw material. We know that confined to a
home market our manufacturing operations
are curtailed, their demand for labor irregu-
lar and the rate of wages paid uncertain.
| We propose, therefore, to stimulate our
domestic industrial enterprises by freeing
from duty the imported raw materials which
by the employment of labor are used in our
home manufactures, thus extending the mark
cts for their sale and permitting an increased
and steady production, with the allowance of
abundant profits.
THE INTERESTS OF LABOR.
True to the undertaking course Of the Dem
ocratic party, we will not forget the interests
of labor and our workingmen. In all efforts
to remedy existing evils we will furnish no
excuse for the loss of employment or the re-
duction of the wage of honest toll. On the
contrary, we propose in the adjustment of
our revenue laws to concede such encourage
ment and advantage to the employers of do
mestc labor as Will easily compensate for any
difference that may exist between the stand
ard of wages which should be paid to our
laboring men and the rate allowed in other
countries. We propose, too, by extending
the markets for our manufacturers to promote
the steady employment of labor, while by
cheapening the cost of the necessaries of life
we increase the purchasing power of the
workingmans wages and add to the comforts
of his home.
RESTRICTED IMMIGRATION.
And before passing from this phase of the
question l am constrained to express the
opinion that while the interests of labor should
be always sedulousy regarded in any modif
cation of our tariff laws, an additional and
more direct and efficient protection to these
interests would be afforded by the restriction
and prohibition of the immigration or impor-
tation of laborers from other countries, who
swarm upon our shores, having no purpose or
intent of becoming our fellow w-citizens or ac-
quiring any permanent interest in our country,
but who crowd every field Of employment
with unintelligent labor at wages which ought
not to satisfy those who make claim to Amer
lean citizenship.
THE BREEDING OF TRUSTS.
The platform adopted by the late national
convention of our party contains the following
declaration: "Judged by Democratic prin-
cipIes the interests ofthe people are betrayed,
when, by unnecessary taxation, trusts and
combinations are permitted and fostered,
which, while unduly enriching the few that
combine, rob the body of our citizens by
depriving them as purchasers of the benefits
of natural competition"
Such combinations have always been con-
demned by the Democratic party. The de-
claration of its national convention is sincerely
made, and no member of our party will be
found excusing the existence or belittleing
the pernicious results of these devices TO
wrong the people, Under various names
they have been punished by the common law
for hundreds of years, and they have lost none
of their hateful features because they have
assumed the name of trusts instead of con-
spiracies.
We believe that these trusts are the natural
offspring of market artifcially restricted;
that an Unfortunately high tariff, besides fur
nishing the temptation for their existence,
enlarges the limit within which they may
operate against the people, and thus increases
the extent of their power for wrong doing.
With an nnaltered hatred of all such
schemes we count the checking of their bale
fnl onerations among the good results prom-