The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-01-14
Continued from first page.

As q choice between reducing inter-
nal revenue or tariff taxation, | shall
LABOR to cheaper woOlens, linen, cot
ton fabrics, salt, lumber, coal, iron,
steel, and all the other great staple
commodities, rather than such articles
as are INDUCED in from acquired habits
or luxurious modes OF living, Sir, |
need hardly assure the senate that | do
not al this advanced period of political
economy announce these views because
OF any charm OF novelty OF new inven-
lion, They are old and automatic; they
contain selt-evident aud necessary
truths, and no process of reasoning or
demonstration can make them palmer,
and yet, because the president has
maintained them in his late message ,he
IL assailed as if he had made a violent
departure from every sound principle
OF government. In the folio wing clear,
terse sentence taken from the message
is 10 be found the very marrow of the
question now before us:-"The taxa
ton OF luxuries presents no features OF
hardship; but the necessaries OF life
The duty upon which adds to the cost
OF living in every home, should be
greatly cheapened."
What higher, broader, stronger plat
form than this is required for victory in
the campaign of the year now just
opened. In hoe SigHe UinCeS. The
democratic party will inscribe this
great sentence on its colors, and chal-
lenge its adversaries in the arbitrament
OF the ballot. The result will not be
doubtful.
AS TO METHODS.
But .et us examine somewhat further
as 20 the methods suggested and the
spirit manifested by the executive in
his very able and patriotic message,
falsely and toolishly stigmatized as u
free trade document. We find in it,
speaking of the tariff, the following
explicit avowal:-
at must be extensively continued as
10 The source OF tho government income;
aud in "A Teadjustment of our tariff the
interests of American labor engaged in
manufacture should be carefully con-
stdered as we'll as the preservation of
orr manufactures. II may be called
protectiau, or by any other name, but
rcllet from the hardships and dangers
of our present tariff laws should be
devised with especial %precaution against
imperilling the existence OF III manu-
featuring interests"
Is II then in the wise, conservative
statements like these guarding the inter
eel OF American manufacturers Oh one
hand, while seeking TO relieve the peo-
pie on the other, that the doctrines of
tree trade are SO plentiiully fonnd? Or
Is the mythical monster free trade dis
covered lurking In the following splen-
did paragraph, enuuciated by the pres.
ident IN a tone worthy the best states
Basnship In the history OF the republic j
"Our progress toward u wise con-
Slusion will not be improved by
dwelling upon the theories of protec-
much OF bandying epithets. 1t is a
condition which c%onirOnts us-not a
theory. Relief from this condition
may involve a slight reduction of the
advantages which we award our home
productions, but the entire withdrawal
OF such advantages should not be con
templsted. The question of free trade
is absolutely irrelevant; and the per-
sistent claim made in certain quarters
that the efforts to relieve. the people
from unjust and unnecessary taxation
are schemes of o-called free traders,
is mischievous and far removed from
auy consideration of the public good.
The simple aud plain duty which we
ows the people 10 to reduce taxation to
the necessary expenses of an econOmi-
cal operation of the government, and
TO restore 10 the business OF the
Try tbs money which we hold in the
treasury through the perversion of
governmental powers These things
eau and should be done with safety TO
our industries, without danger to the
opportunity tor r~emunerative labor
which our workmen need, and With
6ens5t TO them and all our people, by
cneapeninR their means Of subsistence
and increasing the measure OF their
1omfOrts."
BLIND OF THE i
Sir. does il not seem that those who
csyil with Mr.. Cleveland aud denounce
hia views on tariff taxation are such as
huye predetermined a quarrel, and
would not approve the declaration OF
American independence If it came
from his hand? Such political leaders
NAV have their uses, but in the present
instance Il requires no gilt of prophecy
a. fOresee that as blind leaders of the
blind they aud tieir followers will roll
iu the ditch Of defeat together.
But a persistent and violent effort is
also being made by those who manage
and lead the opposition to the present
administration TO convince the public
mind that the president is unfriendly
40 labor interests, and that the reduction
al flake which heso powerfully enforces
would prove hnrtfui to the working
men aud wOrkiDgwomen Of the coun-
try. aud especially to wage laborers
employ ed in our manufacturing INDUS
tries. | might here pause TO ask the
--F - eIn K.snonnt nnnHitlnn nj
she wage worker in many OF the most
extensive manufacturing regions; why,
nader the present high tariff, they are
engaged in constant strikes and severe
struggles with their employers for
more pay. if il Is true that the employ
eY ALWAYS pave his hired labor In pro-
portion to the rate of duty levied to
protect his manufactured products. j
will 90 far to protect the American
l.horer 10 every respect and to comfort
his daily life with generous laws. MY
heart Is full Of a~ppreciative sympathy
for him and hia household as they gath
er around their troubled Preside, often
in penury, sometimes In actual want,
and never ia ease or af1uence, bnt |
nave never vet conceived it q remedy
for his privatioDs aud Rnxieties TO
THE A ON HIS BLANKETS
and bed clothing, or on his salt and
meager tablewear, while his employer,
Tor whose profit such are paid, is
left wholly free to fix his wages, re-
dnce them 10 the starvation point, or
deprive him OF work altogether. ii
She Iaborer ia compelled I'd pay taxes
on ali he and his family consume tor
the benefit OF his powerful employer,
II would seem but just that the employ
ar should also be compelled to give
work to the laborer at wages sufficient
20 support ia comfort him, his wife
and his children.
The president expresses his solicitnde
for the welfare of the American laborer,
and points ont the vigilant care his
Interests should receive in the treat
Ooent of the tariff in the following
serms:-
THE WAGE QUESTION.
AT lie also said that The increase in
orics of domestic manufactures, re-
smiling from the presest tariff, Is nee
essary in order that higher wages may
be paid TO working men employed III
manufactures thai are paid tor h is
rsIled the pauper labor OF Europe.
All will acknowledge the force Of All
argument which involves the welfare
- comnensatjon of ouF labOring