The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-06-13
THE ISSUE FAIRLY STATED.
SHALL THE TARIFF BE REFoRMspg
What President Cleveland said in His Great
~Sessage The Democratic and Republic
can Platforms-Free Raw Materials
VS.. Free Tobacco and Whisky.
rFrom Prs.Ident Cleveland. Messace.l


The difficulty attending a fair and wise re-
vision Of our tariff laws is not underestimated
1t viii require on the part of the congress great
labor and care, and especially broad and
national contemplation of the subject and a
SSuTouc disregard of such local and selfish
claims are unreasonable and reckless of the
welfare Of the entire country.
Under our present laws more than four thou
sand articles are subject TO duty. Many of
these do not in any way compete with our own
manufacturers, and many are hardly worth at
tention as subjects of revenue. 4 considera-
bic reduction can be made in the aggregate by
Kidding them to the free list. The taxation of
Injuries presents no features of hardship; but
the necessaries of life used and consumed by
all the people, the duty upon which adds to
the cost Of living in every home, should be
greatly cheapened.
The radical reduction Of the duties imposed
on raw material used in manufactures, or its
free importation, is of course an important
factor in any effort to reduce the price OF these
neeessaries; it would not only relieve them
from the increased cost caused by the tariff on
such material but the manufactured product
being thus cheapened, that part OF the tariff
pow lald upon such product as q cOmpeDSa-
ton to our manufacturers for the present
prlce OF raw material, could be accordingly
modified. Such reduction or free impOrta-
ton, would serve besides TO largely reduce the
revenue. 1t is not apparent how such
change can have any injurious effect upon our
manufacturers. On the contrary, il would APP
pear to give them better chance In foreign
markets with the manufacturers of other coun-
tries who cheaper their wares by free mater
ial. Thus our people might have the Oppor-
tunity OF extending their sales beyond the linn
Its OF home cOnsUmption-ssvi wing them from
the depression, interruption in business, and
loss caused by a glutted domestic market and
affording their employees more certain and
steady labor, with It's resulting quiet and con-
tentment.
The question thus imperatively presented for
solution should be approached in spirit higher
than partlSanShlp, and considered in the light
OF that regard for patriotic duty which should
characterize the action OF those intrusted with
the veal OF a contding people. But the obli-
CATION 10 declared party policy and principle is
not wanting 10 urge prompt and effective ac-
ton. Both OF the great political parties now
represented In the government have, by re-
peated and authoritative declarations con-
demned the condition of our laws which per-
NIT the collection from the people of unneces-
I sary revenue, and have, in the most solemn
manner, promised its correction; and neither
as citizens or partsans are our countrymen in
mood to condone the deliberate violation of
these pledges.
Our progress toward wise conclusion will
of protection and free trade. This savors too
much of bandying epithets. 1t is 8 condition
which confronts us-not a theory. Relief from
this condition may involve a slight reduction
of the advantages which we award our home
predictions but the entire withdrawal of such
advantages should not be contemplated. The
question of free trade is absolutely irrelevant;
and the persistent claim made in certain quar-
tiers, that all efforts to relieve the people from
unjust and unnecessary taxation are schemes
of so-called tree traders, is mischieyOus and
far removed from any consideration for the
public good
The simple and plain duty which we owe the
people is t0 reduce taxation to the necessary
expenses of an economical operation of the
government, and to restore to the business of
the country the money which We hold in the
treasury through the perversion OF govern
mental powers. These things can and should
be done with safety to all our industries, with
out danger to the opportunity for remunera-
tive labor which our workingmen need and
with benefit TO them and all our people, Ly
cheapening their means of subsistence and in
creasing the measure of their comforts.