San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-09-27
NUMBER 80.

upon tho raw material used in their
manufacture. We know that this in
creased cost prevents the sale OF our
productions at foreign marketsin COM
petition with those countries which
have the advantage of free raw ma.
terial. We know that confined to o
home market our manufacturing OPP
erations 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 increased and
steady production with the allowance
for abundant profits.
True to the undertaking course Of
the Democratic party, We will not
neglect the interests Of labor and our
workingmen. In all efforts to. reme-
dy existing evils We will .farnish no
excuse for the loss Of employment or
the reduction Of the wages Of honest
toll. On the contrary, we propose
in any adjustment Of our revenue
laws to concede such encouragement
and advantage to the employers Of
domestic laborers as will easily COM
pensate for any difference that may
exist between the standard OF wages
which should be paid to our labor
ing men and the rate allowed in other
countries, We propose, too, by ex-
tending the markets for our manu-
faoturers, to promote steady employ
lnent OF labor, while by cheapening the
cost of the necessaries Of life, we in
crease the purchasing power OF the
workingman's wages and add to the
comforts of his home.
And before passing from this
phase Of the question, lam constrain-
ed to express the opinion, that while
the interests of labor should be al
ways seduously regarded in any mod
ification OF our tariff laws, an addi-
tianal and more direct and efficient
protection to those interests would
be afforded by the restriction and
prohibition of the immigration or i'm
portation of laborers from other
countries, who swarm upon our
shores, having no purpose or intent
of becoming ellow-citizens, or acquir.
ing 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 platform adopted at the late
National Convention OF our party
contains the following declaration:
Judged by Democratic principles
the interests Of the people ore betray-
cd when by unnecessary taxation
trusts and combinations are permit
ted and fostered which, while undu-
ly enriching the few that combine,
rob the body Of our citizens by de-
priving them as purchasers OF the
benefits of natural competition"
Such combinations have always
been condemned by the democratic
party. The declaration Of its Ma
tional Convention is sincerely made,
and no member Of our party will be
found excusing the existence, or be-
littling the pernicious results of those
devices to wrong the people. Under
various names they have been pun
ished by the common law for hum
dreds Of years; and they have lost
none Of their hateful features because
they have assumed the name Of
trusts instead OF conspiracies
We believe that these trusts are
the natural offspring Of market ar
tifcially restricted; that an inordi-
nately high tariff, besides furnishing
the temptation for their existence,
enlarges the limits within which they
may operate against the people, and
thus increase the extent Of their pow
er for wrong doing. With an unal-
terable hatred OF all such shemes we
count the checking Of their balefnl
operations among the good rsults
promised by rev enue reform.
While we cannot avoid partisan
Misrepresentation, 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 established industries
and enterprises, jealous regard for
the interest OF American labor and O
sincere desire 10 relieve the country
from the injustice and damages OF q
con dition winch threatens evil to all
the people Of the land We are
dealing with no imaginary danger.
It's existence has been repeatedly con-
fessed by all political parties, and
pledges Of n remedy have been made
on all sides.
Yet, when in the Legislative body
where under the constitution all rem
edial measures applicable 10 this sub
ject must originate, the Democratic
majority were attempting with ex-
treme moderation to redeem the
pledge common to both parties, they
we're met by determined opposition
and obstruction, and, the minority
refusing to cooperate in the House
Of Representatives or propose anoth-
er remedy, have remitted the redeDp-
ton Of their party pledge 10 The