The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-07-12
s30,1Os,O67


The 'fothers" are collections from ar
ticles and occupations formerly taxed,
but now exempt, 1t will be seen that it
the tobacco taxes were abolished there
would be left about $SS, 700. 900 on the
basis of last years collections, and OF
this less than 81 200, 900 would be from
all sources other than spirits and fer
mented liquors. 1t follows that after
repeating the tobacco taxes and the tax
Oh spirits used in the arts and for me-
cllanical purposes, according to the re-
Publican program, "the entire repeal or
internal taxes" would be but little more
than the repeal of taxes on intoxicating
drinks. 1t would mean less than mill
ion more than that according to the
above official figures, and less than three
millions more, taking into account the
tax on bank circulation of less than two
millions, which is not included among
.'internal-revenue collections, because
it is collected directly by the treasurer
of the United States and not by the bu-
reau of internal revenue.
Just how much tax is collected On
spirits used in the arts and for mechani-
cal purposes is not known, but it is not
generally estimated at more than $1O,-
000, 900. But calling it $f1, ,OoO, 900, the
''entire repeal" clause of the republican
program means remission of about
$77 ZOO, 900 of taxes on intoxicating
drinks and of less than $3, ,QQ0, 900 on all
other articles. The program of cheap
drinks is to be carried out if the republic
cans are in power rather than surren-
der any part of our protective system"
One part of that system is the schedule
of taxes On wool and woolens. 1t is lit
orally true, therefore, that the republi-
h., IL
beer and whisky and dear clothing.
The issue of the campaign is falsely
stated by the republican convention. No
proposition has been made for free trade.
The issue is: Shall the people be heavily
taxed or moderately taxedt Shall there
be high tariff or a low tariff? Shall all
the people be burdened that some num-
Der of the people shall enjoy exceptional
and dishonest prosperity?-or shall there
be equal Justice for all? Shall the ex-
else tax on whisky and TOBACCO be main=
tanned to the end that the direct and in.
direct tariff tax on the necessities and
comforts of existence shall be reduced
OF shall it be abolished in order to make
wearing apparel and those things with
out which existence is misery expensive!
Shall the people be taxed merely for
the support of the government, or shall
continue to grow in the treasury, tempt
ing the cupldity of legislators and stir
ring claim agents to ravenous activity
Shall the taxing poiity Of the governs
ment of this republic be determined in
the interest of all the people when all
the people who are producers must meet
the exaction falling, as taxation does,
heaviest upon those least able to pay, or
shall it be shaped by a class for the bepe.
fit of class? This is the issue.
The democratic party and its candi-
dates stand for low tariff as against
high tariff, for reduced taxation as
against excessive taxation, for the main,
tenanee of imports upon whisky and tQ=
bacco rather than upon articles of gen.
eral and necessary consumption. The
democratic party stands for reasonable
economy and reduced surplus, not for
wild extravaganza which, continuing
excessive taxation, will dissipate the sur
plus.
Four years ago, when the treasury
surplus was much smaller than it is to-
day, the republican con vention solemnly
pledged itself ito correct the inequalities
of the tariff and reduce the surplus, not
by the vicious and indiscriminate pro-
cess Of horizontal reduction, but by such
methods as will relieve the Taxpayer"
Time has rolled on. The pledge repqdi-
ated by republican congressman is ig=
noFsd in the current convention of the
party. No mention is now made of any
inequalities of the tariff. The PROPOSE
tion of the democratic party to make
salt and wool and sundry articles of util-
ity free is met by the demand that if af-
ter the republican party gets through
with it treasury surplus remains then
whisky and tobacco shall bo made free
of tax. The tariff which four years ago
it was promised should be corrected it is
now declared shall not be touched. Not
ope word of protest Is heard in the con-
Vention, The protects have taken charge
of the preliminaries as they will assume
direction of the campaign, and from
purses thiek-liled by favor of tariff
tax excessive beyond the widest dream
of Henry Clay, continuing for genera
tion beyond the bound set for it by its
proponent and apologist, Senator Nor
rill, they will contribute a corruption
fund of unprecedented magnitude which
some later and even more unscrupulous
Dorsey will disburse in the name of God
and morality. To this complexion has
the grand old party come at last
Under the discipline of party which
has made a positive declaration for pro-
lection, coupled with lie concerning
the attitude of its adversary, republican
politicians and newspapers that have
inclined to support the right of the peo-
pie to relief from burdensome taxation
will resume their place in the ranks and
preach the exceeding godliness of free
whisky and AZ per cent tariff. But
the issue becomes the clearer because of |
such detection.
Cleveland and Thurman, a fair tariff |
and no favorites, will win by the voice |
of swinging majority of twelve million
overtaxed electors of the republic, against
free whisky, free tobacco, taxed cloth
ing, and the nominees of a convention
presided over by railroad jobber of
Nehraska,-Chicaqo Times.