The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-09-14

ly competes with our laboring men in
the field of toll and al II to our popu-
lation an ele ent igro mt OF our in
at sutions and laws, impossible of as
similation with our people and danger
GUS to our peace and welfare; a strict
and steadfast adherence TO the princi-
pie of civil service reform and q
thorough execution Of the laws passed
for their enforcement thus permitting
to our people the advantage OF bust
no1s methods in the operations OF their
governments; the guaranty to our. col
OF citizens Of all their rights OF citi-
zensbip and their Just recognition and
encouragement in all things pertaining
To that relation; q firm, patient and
humane Indian policy, so that in peace
full relations with the government the
civilization Of the Indian may be pro-
NOTED, with resulting quiet and safety
to the settlers on our frontiers; and the
curtailment Of public expense by the
introduction Of economical methods in
every department of the government.
INDoRsING THE PLATFORM.
The pledges contained in the plat
form adopted by the late convention
Of the national Democracy lead to the
advancement of these objects and in
sure good government, the aspiration
of every true American citizen and the
motive for every patriotic action and
effort. In the consciousness that
d ch has been none in the direction of
ID government by the present ad-
ninistration and submitting its record
to the fair inspection of my country
men, l endorse the platform thus pre-
sented, with the determination that 1t
am again called to the Chief Magi-
stracy. there shall be a continuance of
devoted endeavor to advance the inter-
ests of the entire country.
Our scale os Federal taxation and
its consequence largely engross at this
time the atten ion of our citizens and
the people are soberly considering the
necessity of measures of relief.
Our government is the creation OF
the people, established to carry out
their designs and accomplish their
good. 1t was founded on justice, and
was made for free, intelligent and
virtuous people. 1t is only useful
when within their control, and only
serves them we'll when regulated and
guided by their constant touch. 1t Is
free government because it guaran-
tees to every American citizen the un-
restricted personal use and enjoy
ment of all the reward of bis toll and
of all his income, except what may be
his fair contribution to necessary pub
lie expense. Therefore it is not only
the right, but the duty of free peop-
lie, in the enforcement of their guaran-
ty, to insist that such expense should
be strictly limited to the actual public
needs. It GEMS perfectly clear that
when the government this instrumen-
tality created and maintained by the
people to do their bidding turns upon
them, and through an utter perverslon
of its powers, extorts t, Jm their labor
and capital tribute largely in excess OF
public necessities, the creature has re-
belled against the creator and the mas
uers are robbed by their servants.
ExpENsEs TO BE MET BY DUTIES.
The cost OF the government must
continue to be met by the tariff duties
collected at our Custom Houses on i'm
ported goods and by internal revenue
toxes assessed upon spirituous and malt
liquors, tobacco and oleomaIgarine. l
suppose it is needless 10 explain that
all these duties and assessments are
added to the price of the articles up
on which they are levied, and thus be-
come a tax upon all those who buy
these articles for use and consumption.
| suppose, too, it is well understood
that the effect of this ia. If taxation is
not limit d to the consumers OF imppr-
ted articles, but that the duties impe J.
ed upon such articles permit cores
ponding increase in price to be laid up,
on domestic productions of the same
kind, which inc,es le, paid by all our
people as consumers OF home produc'
tlons and entering every American
home, constitutes form OF taxation as
certain and as inevitable as though the
amount was annually paid into the
ha d Of the tax x-gatherer.
These results are inseparable from
til plan we have adopted tor the col
| |, stion of our revenue tariff dnties.
They are not mentioned to discredit
the system, but by way OF preface to
the statement that every million OF
dollars collected at our custom houses
for duties upon imported articles paid
into the public treasury represent many
millions more, which, though never
reaching the national Treasury, are
paid by our citizens as the increased
cost of domestic productions resulting
from our tariff laws.
LIMIT THE RATE OF TARIFF CHARGES.
In these circumstances, and in view
of this necessary effect of the opera
!, ton of our plan for raising revenue
the absolute duty of limiting the rat
8 of tariff charges to the necessities o
. a frugal and economical administration
1 of the government seems to be perfect
e ly plain. The continuance, upon
g pretext of meeting public expenditures
Q of such scale of tariff taxation a
Q draws from the substance of the peopl
a sum largely in excess OF public needs
i is surely something which under
Il government based upon justice, an
which finds its strength and usefulnes
in the faith and trrst of the people
ought not to be tolerated.
l. While the heaviest burdens incider
l. to the necessities of the governmer
IS are uncomplaingly born, light burdeI
l. become grievous and intolerable whe
's not justified by such necessities. Vi
q. necessary taxation is unjust taxation
And yet this is our condition. We al
1t annually collecting at our custom hou
n es and by means of GU internal rev
10 nue. taxation many millions in exec
Al of all legitimate public needs. AS
20 consequence there now remains in Il
err National Treasury surplus of mo
h, than one hundred and thirty millions
n. dollars.
r No better evidence could be furnis
,e ed that the people are exorbitant
taxed. The extent of the superfiuo
i. .-...l:aotal H., tb;a aurnluo