The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-12

ing the markets for their sale and permitting
an increased and steady production with the
allowance of abundant profits .
True to the undertaking course of the dem
ocratic party, we will not neglect the interests
of labor and our wOrkingInen. 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 any adjustment OF our rev
enue laws to concede such encouragement and
advantage to the employers OF domestic labor
ers as will easy compensate for any difference
that may exist between the standard OF wages
which shonld be paid to our laboring men and
the rate allowed in other countries. We pro-
pose, too, by extending the markets for our
manufactures, to promote 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 comforts of his home.
And before passing from this phase OF the
question, am constrained TO express the opln-
ion, that while he interest of labor should be
always seduously regarded in any modification
of our tariff laws, an additional and more d.
rect and efficient protection TO those interests
would be afforded by the restriction and pro-
hibition of the immigration or importation OF
laborers from other countries, who swarm upon
our shores, having no purpose or intent OF
becoming felow-citizens, or acquiring any per-
mnnent 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 are betrayed when by unnecessary taxa
ton trusts and combinations are permitted and los
combine, rob the body of citizens by depriving
them 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 belitthng the
pernicious results of those 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 conspira-
cies
We believe that these trusts are the natural
offspring of mar ket artiheiaily restricted; that
an inordinately high tariff, beside furnishing
the temptation for their existence, enlarges the
limit within which they may operate against
the people, and thus increases the extent OF
their power for wrong-doing. With an unalter-
able hatred OF all such schemes we count the
checking of their baleful operations among the
good results promised by revenue reform.
While we cannot avoid partisan mlsrepre-
sentation, 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 20 inaugurate is
predicated upon the utmost ee-e for established
industries and enterprises, jealous regard Tor
the interests of American labor and a sim
cere desire to relieve the country from the in
justice and damages of a condition which
threatens evil 10 all the people OF the land.
We are dealing with no Imaginary danger. It's
existence has been repeatedly confessed by all
political parties. and pledges OF a remedy have
been made on all sides.
Yet, when in the legislative body, where I'M
der the constitution all remedial measures APP
plicable 10 this subject must originate, the demo-
cratic majority were attempting with extreme
moderation to redeem the pledge common 10
both parties, they were met by determined
opposition and obstruction; and the minority
refusing to cooperate in the house OF represen-
tatives or propose another remedy, have re-
mitted the redemption of their party pledge to
the doubtful power of the senate.
The people will hardly be deceived by their
abandonment of the field Oflegislative action TO
meet in political convention and hippantly de-
clare IN their party platform that our conserva-
tive and careful effort to relieve the situation
is destructive to the American system of pro-
lection. Nor will the people be misled by the
appeal to prejudice contained in the absurd
allegation that we serve the interests of Eu-
rope, while they will support the interests oil
America.
They propose in their platform to thus sup
port the interests of our country by removing
the internal revenue tax from tobacco and
spirits used in the arts and for mechanical pur-
poses They declare also that there should be
such revision of our tariff laws as shall tend
to check the importation of such articles as are
produced here.
Thus IN proposing toincrease the duties upon
such articles to nearly or quite n prohibitory
point, they confess themselves willing to travel
backward in the road of civilization and to de-
prive our people of the markets for their goods
which can only be gained and kept by the SEM
blance at least of an interchange OF business
while they abandon our consumers to the I'M
restrained oppression of the domestic trusts
and combinations which are in the same plat
form perfunctorily condemned.
They propose further TO release entirely from
import duties all articles of foreign production
Except luxuries) the like of which cannot be
produced in this country. The plain people Of
the land and the poor who scarcely use articles
OF any description produced exclusively abroad
and not already here will lind 1t difficult TO dis
cover where their interests are regarded in this
proposition. They need in their homes cheaper
domestic necessaries; and this seems TO be en-
tirely unprovided for in this proposed scheme
to serve the country.
Small compensation for this neglected need
is found in the further purpose here announced
and covered by the declaration that ii after the
the changes already mentioned there still re-
mains larger revenue than Is requisite for the
wants of the government the entire internal
taxation should be repealed rather than sur
render any part OF our protective system"
Our people ask relief from the undue and
unnecessary burden of tarid axation now rest
ing upon them. They ar, ofiered-free tobac-
co and free whisky.
They ask for bread and they are given a
stone.
The implication contained in this party
declaration that desperate measures are justi-
fed or necessary TO save from destruction or
surrender what is termed our protective sys-
TEN, should confuse no one. The existence of
such system is entirely consistent with the
regulation of the extent TO which il should be
applied and the correction of its abuses
OF course, in country as great as ours, with
such wonderful variety OF interests, often
leading in entirely different directions il is
difficult, If not impossible, to settle upon per-
feet tariff plan, but in accomplishing the re-
form we have entered upon, the necessity of
which is so obvious believe we should not be
content with q reduction of revenue involving
the prohibition OF importations and the re-
moval of the internal tax upon whisky. II can
be better and more safely done within the lines
OF granting actual relief 20 the people in their
means of living. aud at the same time giving an
impetus to our domestic enterprises and further
ing our national welfare. IT mlsrepresenta-
tons of our purposes and motives are 10 gain
crcdence and defeat our present effort ih this
direction, there seems 10 be no reason why
every endeavor in the future to accomplish
revenue reform should not be likewise attacked
and with like results.
And yet no thoughtful man can fail to see in
the continuance of the present burden of the
people and the abstraction by the government
OF the currency of the country, Inevitable dis
tress and disaster. All danger will be averted
by timely action. The difficulty OF applying