The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-10


ing men In the field of toll and adds to our popu
Lation an element ignorant of institutions
aud laws, impossible of assimilation with our
people and dangerous TO our peace and welfare;
a strict and steadfast adherence TO the principles
of civil service reform and q thorough execu-
ton OF the laws passed for their enforcement,
tnus permitting to our people the advantages OF
business methods IN the operation OF their gov
ernmont; the guaranty to our colorsd citizens OF
hu their rights of citizenship and their Just
recognition and encouragement in al things
pertaining TO that relation; firm, patient and
humane Indian policy, so that In peaceful rela-
tons with the government the civilization of
the Indian may be promoted with resulting
iiet and safety to the settlers our from tiers
and the curtailment OF public expense by the
introduction of economical methods in every
dspartmsnt of the government
"TAe pledges ontained iu the platform adopt
ed oy the late convention OF the national Democ-
racy lead TO the advancement OF these objects
every true American citizen, and the motive
for every patriotic action and effort. In the
consciousness that much has been done in the
direction Of good government by the present
administration, and submitting its record To the
fair inspection of Iny countrymen indorss the
platform thus presented, with the determine
ton that IL / again called to the chief
msgist-acy there shall be . continuance of de-
voted endeavor TO advance the interests OF the
entire country.
Our ecdle Oh leueTal tdXaVlon ana It's cOnse-
Guences largely enkross, at this time, the atten-
ton CT our citizens, and the people are soberly
considering the necessity Of measures of relief.
Our government Is the creation OF the people,
established to carry out their designs and
complsh their good 1t was founded on Justice,
and was made for a free. intelligent and virtu-
Gus people 1t is only'useful when within their
control, and only serves them well when regu-
lated and guided by their constant touch. 1t is
free government, because it guarantees to
n A -. 49,. -. IL
al use and enjoyment of all the rewards of his
toll and OF all his income, except what may be
bis fair contribution to necessary public ex-
pense Therefore, II Is not only the right but
the duty of . free people. in the enforce
that such expense should be stric,ly limited to
the actual public needs. 1t seems perfectly
clear that when the government, this instru-
mentality created and maintained by the people
TO do their bidding. turns upon them, and through
an utter perversion of its power extorts from
their labor and capital tribute largely in excess
OF public necessities. the creature has rebsled
against the creator and the masters are robbed
by their servants.
''Ihe cost OF the government must continue
70 be met by tariff duties collected at
tom-houses upon imported goods, and by inter
nal revenue taxes assessed upon spirituous
and malt liquors, tobacco aud oleomargaripe.
suppose IL is needless TO explain that all these
duties and Assessments are added 10 the price Of
thus become tax upon all those who buy these
articles Tor use and consumption. | suppose,
too. It IS well understood that the effect OF this
tariff taxation is not limited 10 the consumers OF
imported articles, but that the duties imposed
upon such articles permit a correspopdlpy in
crease In price TO be laid uron domestic produc
tions OF the same kind, which increase paid By
ali our people as consumers of home produc-
lions and entering every American home. con-
sttutes form Of taxation as certain, as newt
able as though the amount was annually paid
into the hand of the tax-ca,herer. These re-
suits are inseparable from the plan have
adopted for the collection Of our revenue by
tariff duties. They not mentioned to dis
credit the system, but by way of preface TO the
statement that every million of dollars collected
nt our custom houses for duties upon imported
articles and paid into the public treasury repre-
sent many millions more, which, though never
reaching the national treasury are paid by our
citizens a. the increased cost OF domestic pro-
ductiohs resulting from our tariff laws. Ia these
circumstances, and In view of this necessary eff
set Of the operation Of our plan for raising rev
eDue, the absolute duty % limiting the rate of
tsrif charges TO the necessities OF frugal and
economical administration or the govern rent,
seems c be perfectly plain. The Continuance.
upon a pretext of meeting public expenditures
OF such scale OF tariff taxation as draws frem
the substance Of the people a sum largely in ex
cess OF public needs Is surely something which,
under government based upon justice, aud
faith and trust OF the people. ought nos 10 DO
tolerated. While the heaviest burdens Incident
to the necessities of the government are uncom-
plAningly borne, light burdens become erievous
and intolerable when not justified bv such ne
cesSities. Unnecessary taxation 10 unjust taxa
ton And yet this is our condition. We arc
annually collecting at our custom-hous~s. and
by means OF our internal revenue taxation
many millions In excess of all legitimate public
needs. As a consequence. there now remains
in mt nral N rpl,, of
one hundred and thirty millions OF dollars. No
better evidence could be furnished that the p-o-
pie are exorbitanty taxed. The extent OF the
superhuous burden indicated by this surplus
Will be better appreciated when 1t Is suggested
that such surplus alone represents taxation Bg-
gregating moro than one hundred and eight
thousand dollars in a county containing fifty
thousand inhabitants.
Taxation has always been the feature OF or
ganiZeG government the hardest to reconcile
with tho peoples ideas OF freedom and happ-
ness. When presented In . direct form nothing
viii arouse popular discomfort more quickly and
profoundly than unjust aud unnecessary taxa
ton. Our farmers. mechanics, laborers and all our
citizens closely scan the slightest increase in the
taxes assessed upen their lands and otSer prop
erty. and demand good reasons for such in
crease And yet they seem 10 be expected, in
some quarters, TO regard the unnecessary vol
ume of iusidious and direct taxation visited upon
them by our present rate of tariff duties with
indifference. il not with favor.
The surplus revenue now remaining IN the
treasury not only furnishes conclusive proof of
unjust taxation, but its existence institutes q
separate and independent menace TO The pros
perity Of the people. This accumulation OF
idle funds represents that much money drawn
from the circulating medium OF the country
which is needed in the channels OF trade and
business.
1T is a great mistake TO suppose that the con.
sequences which follow the continual withdraw
al and boarding by the government Of the cur
rency of the people not OF immediate i'm
portance to the mass of our citizens and only
concerns those engaged IN large financial trans
actions. In the restless enterprise and activity
which free and ready money among
the people produces, is found that oppor-
tunity for labor and employment. and
that impetus to business and production which
bring in their train prosperity to our citizens in
every station and vocation. New ventures. new
investments in business and manufacture, thu
construction of new and important works. and
the enlargement Of enterprises already eetab-
lished, depend largely upon obtaining money
upon easy terms, with fair security; and al
these things are stimulated by an abund-
ant volume OF circulating medium. Even the
harvested grain of the farmer remains without
market unless money is forthcoming for its
movement ana transportation TO the seaboard.
The first result of scarcity Of money among
the people is tho exsction of severe terms for
its use. Increasing distrusr and timidity 10 fol-
lowed By a refusal to loan or advance on any
terms. Investors refuse all risks. and decline
all securities. and in q general fright the money
still 10 the hands of the people is persisteptly
boarded 1t Is quite apparent that when this
perfectly natural, il not inevitable stage is
reached. depression in all business and enter
prise will, necessary consequences, Lessen
nj inv for md Y1ny,la and