Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-09-20

are not contemplated or intended.
FREE RAW MATERIALS.

are not contemplated or intended
FREE RAW MATERIALS.
But we know the cost of our domestic
manufactured products is increased and theil
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 do
nestle 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 mar
kets for their sale and permitting an in
creased and steady production, with the al
lowance 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
nestle labor as will easily compensate for
any difference that may exist between the
standard Of wages which should be paid to
our laboring men and the rate allowed in
other countries We propose, too, by ex-
pending the markets for our manufacturers
to promote the steady employment of labor,
while by cheapening the cost of the necessa-
ries of life we increase the purchasing power
of the workingman's 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 sedulously regarded in any
modification of our tariff laws, an additional
and more direct and efficient protection to
these interests would be afforded by the re-
striction and prohibition Of the immigration
or importation of laborers from other coun-
tries, 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 uninteligent 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 follow
ing declaration; Judged by Democratic
principles the interests of the people are be
trayed, when, by unnecessary taxation, trusts
and combinations are permitted and fostered,
which, while unduly cnriching 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 con-
demned by the Democratic party. The
declaration of its national convention is sin
cerely made, and no member Of our party
will be found excusing the existence or belit-
Ting 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
conspiracies.
We believe that these trusts are the natural
offspring of amarket artifcially restricted; (;
that an inordinately high tariff, besides fur
nishing the temptation for their existence,
enlarges the limit within which they may
operate against the people, and thus in
creases the extent of their power for wrong
doing.
With an unatered hatred Of all such
schemes we count the checking of their bale
ful operations among the good results prom
ised by revenue reform.
no CRUSADE OF FREE TRADE.
While we cannot avoid partisan misrep-
resentation, 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 estab-
lished industries and enterprises, jealous
regard for the interests of American labor
and a sincere desire to relieve the country
from the injustice and danger Of a condition
which threatens evil to all the people Of the
/ land
We are dealing with no imaginary dan
ger. It's existence has been repeatedly con-
fessed by all political parties, and pledges
of remedy have been made on all sides.
REPUBLICAN OBSTRUCTION TO REFORM.
Yet when in the legislative body, where
under the constitution all remedial measures
applicable to this subject must originate,
the Democratic majority were attempting
with extreme moderation to redeem the
pledge common to both parties, they we're
met by determined opposition and obstruc-
ton; and the minority, refusing to coop