Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-09-12

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| ties. and in a general fright the money still
| the hands of the people is perslstently hoardet
| 1t is quite apparent that when this perfectl
natural, II not inevitable, stage Is reached. de
preston in all business and enterprise will, a
| necessary consequence. lessen the opportu
nifty for work and employment, and reduce tn
the salaries and the wages of labor. Instead
then. of being exempt from the influence ant
effect of an immense surplus lying idle In tn
| who rely upon their labor for support are mos
| of all directly concerned in the situation. 9th
ers. seeing the approach OF danger. may provide
against 1t, but 1t will find those depending up
on their daily toll for bread unprepared, help
less and defenseless. Such state of affairs
does net present q case of idleness resulting
from disputes between the laboring man and
his employer. but 1t produces an absolute and
enforced stoppage of employment and wages.
In reviewing the bad effects of this accumu-
lated surplus and the scale OF tariff rates by
which 1t is produced, we must not overlook the
tendency towards gross and scandalous public
extravagance which a congested treasury H.
duces, nor the fact that we are maintaining
without excuse, in a time OF profound peace,
substantially the rate of tariff duties imposed
in time Of war, when the necessities of the gov
eminent justified the imposition of the weight
lest burdens upon the people
NO PLAN SURE WITHOUT CHANGE OF LAW.
Divers plans have been suggested for the re-
turn of this accumulated surplus to the people
and the channels OF train. Some of these de-
vices are at variance with all rules of good Il.
nance, some are delusivs, some are absurd, and
some betray by their reckless extravaganza
public money upon the judgments of tudivid-
uals,
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, 1t is evident that If its distribu-
ton were accomplished another ccumulatiOn
would soon take its place II the constant flow
of redundant income was not checked at its
source by reform in our present tariff laws.
THE PEOPLE DEMAND A REMEDY.
ITa do r,oxr 70 laalr mil
ditions 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 condition
Of extreme danger exists, and that 1t is for
and safety promised in the guarantees of their
free government.
adopted to relieve 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 necessaries of life.
PROTECTING DOMESTIC ENTERPRISES.
We fully appreciate the Importance to the
country Of our domestic Industrial enterprises.
In the rectifcatiOn of existing wrongs their
maintenance and prosperity should Re care
fully and in q friendly spirit considered, Even
such reliance upon present revenue arrange
meuts as have been invited or encouraged
should be fairly and justly regarded. Abrupt
and radical changes, which might endar ser
such enterprises and injuriousiy affect the
interests OF labor dependent upon their sue.
cess and continuance, are not contemplated or
intended.
FREE RAW MATERIALS
But we know the cost of our domestic man
ufs ctured products Is increased and their price
to the consumer enhanced by the duty i'm
posed 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
home market our manufacturing operations
are curtailed, their demand for labor irregular
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
markets for their sale and permitting an in.
creased and steady production, with the allow
ance OF abundant profits.
THE INTERESTS OF LABOR.
True to the undertaking course OF the demo-
cratic party we will not forget the interests OF
labor and our work1ngmen. In all efforts to
remedy existing evils we will furnish no ex-
cuse for the loss of employment or the reduc.
ton OF the wage of honest toll. On the con-
trary, we propose in the adjustment of our
revenue laws to concede such encouragement
and advantage to the employers of domestic
labor as will easily compensate for any differ
ence that may exist between the standard OF
wages which should be paid to our laboring
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 workingman's
wages and add to the comfort of his home.
RESTRICTED IMMIGRATION.
And before passing from this phase of the
question am constrained to express the opin-
ion that while the interests of labor should be
always sedulously regarded in any modifca-
ton of cur tariff laws. an additional and more
direct and efficient protection to these inter-
ests would be afforded by the restriction and
prohibition of the immigration or importation
of Iaborers from sother countries, who swarm
upon our shores. having no purpose or intent
OF becoming our fellow citizens or acquiring
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 American
citizenship.
THE BREEDING OF TRUSTS.
The platform adopted by the late national
convention of our party contains the following
declaration:
Judged by democratic principles the inter-
6sts of the people are betrayed when, by I'M
necessary taxation, trusts and combinations
are permitted and fostered, which, while un>
duly enriching the few that combine, rob the
body of our citizens by Gepr1ving them as
purchasers of the benefits OF natural compe-
tition."
Such combinations have always been con-
demned by the democratic party. The declara-
ton OF its national convention is sincerely
made and no member of our party will be
found excusing the existence or belittle.ng the
pernicious results of these devices to wrong
the people. Under various names they have
been punished by the common law for hun
dreds of years, and they have lost none of
their hateful features because they have as
sumed the name OF trusts instead OF conspiIa-
cies.
We believe that these trusts are the natural
offspring of market artificially restricted;
that an Unfortunately high tariff, besides fur
ntshing the temptation for their existence, en-
Iarges inc limit within which they may ope-
rate against the people. and thus increases The
extent of their power for wrong doing.
With an unaitered, hatred of all such
schemes we count the checking of their bale
full operations among the good results prom
ised by revenue reform.
NO CRUSADE OF FREE TRADE.
While we cannot avoid partisan misrepre-
sentation, our position upon the question of
revenue reform should be so plainly stated as
to admit of no Misunderstanding.
We have entered upon no crusade of free
trade The reform we seek to inaugurate Is
predicated upon the utmost care for establish.
ed Industries and enterprises, jealous regard
for the interests of American labor and sim
cere desire to relieve the country from the in.
Justice and danger of a condition which threat
ems evil to all the people of the land.
we are dealing with no imaginary danger.
Its existence has been repeatedly confessed by
all political parties ana a, pledges of remedy
REPUBLICAN OBSTRUCTION TO REFORM.
Yet when in the legislative body, where un-
der the constitution all remedial measures ap-
plicabl6 to this subject must originate, tne
democratic majority were attempting with
extreme moderation to redeem the pledge com
mon to both parties, they were met by deter
mined opposition and obstruction; and the
minority refusing to CO operate In the House
of Representatives OF propose another remedy,
have rernitted the redemption of their party
pledge TO the doubtful power of the Senate
THE PEOPLE WILL NOT BE MIsLED.
The people will hardly be deceived by their
abandon ment of the field of legislative action
to meet in political convention and fllppantly
declare in their party platform That our con-
sentative and careful effprt to relieve the situS-
protection Nor will the people be misleI by
the appeal to pref udice contained in the absurd
allegation that we serve the interests of Eu-
rope while they will support the interests of
America.
WHAT REPUBLICANS PROPOSE.
They propose in their platform to thus sup
port the interests of our country by removing
the internal revenue tax from tobacco and
from spirits used in the arts and for mechan-
should be such a revision OF our tariff laws as
shall tend to check the importation OF such
articles as are produced here. Thus, in propos-
ing to increase The duties upon such articles to
nearly or quite prohlbitory point. they con-
TESS tn emselves willing to travel backward in
the road OF civilization and to deprive our peo-
pie of the markets for their goods which can
least. of an Interchange of business. while they
abandon our consumers to the unrestraine ed
oppression of the domestic trusts aud combina-
lions which are in thu same plat form perfume
tOrily condemned.
ENTIRELY UNPRovIDED FOR.
They propose further to release entirely
frop inrn a q n