Montgomery County sentinel., 1888-06-15

nome markets, chpltal i5 discouraged with
doubt, and unequal, unjust laws can neither
be properly amended nor repealed.
The Democratic party will continue with
all the power con6ded TO II the struggle to
reform these laws In accordance with the
pledges OF its last platform, Endorsed at the
ballot-box by the suffrages of the people.
All the industrious freemen of our land, the
immense majority, including every -tiller of
the SOIL gain no advantage from excessive
tax laws, but the price of nearly everything
they buy is increased by the favoritism of an
unequal system of tax legislation. All un-
necessary taxation is unjust taxation.
1t is repugnant 10 the creed of Democracy
that by sucn taxation the cost Of the necessa-
ries of life should be unjustiiably increased
to all our people. Judged by Democratic
principles, the interests of the people are be-
trayed when Oy unnecessary taxation, trusts
and combinations are permitted to exist,
which, while unduly enriching the few that
combine, rob the body of our citizens by de-
priving them of the benefits of natural com
petition. Every Democratic rule of govern
mental action IS violated when through un-
necessary taxation, vast sum of money, far
beyond the needs of an economical admins
tration, is drawn from the people and the chan
nels Of trade, and accumulated as q demoral-
izing surplus in the National Treasury. The
money now lying in the Federal Treasury,
resulting from superfuous taxation, amounts
to more than one hundred and twenty-five
millions, and the surplus collected is reach
ing the sum of more than sixty millions an
nually. Debauched by this immense tempta-
ton, the remedy Of the Republican party is
to meet and exhaust. by extravagant appro-
priations and expenses, whether constitution
al or not, the accumulation of extravagant
taxation The Democratic policy is TO en-
force frugality in public expense and abolish
unnecessary taxation. Our established do
mestic industries and enterprises should not
be endangered by the reduction and correc-
tion of tho burdens of taxation. On the con-
trary, fair and careful revision of our tax.
laws. with due allowance for the difference
between the wages Of American and foreign
labor, must promote and encourage every
branch Of such industries and enterprises by
giving them assurances Of an extended mar
ket and steady and continuous operation. In
the interests of American labor, which shou Id
In no event be neglected, this revision Of our
tax laws contemplated by the Democratic
party should promote the advantage of such
labor by cheapening the cost of the necessa-
ries of life in the home of every workingman,
and at the same time securing TO him steady
remu6erative employment. Upon this qaes-
tiOn Of tariff reform, so closely concerning
every phase of national life, and upon every
question involved in the problem Of good
government, the Democratic party submits
its principles and professions to the ntelli-
gent suffrages of the American people.
Subjoined is the gist of President Cleve-
lands anti-tariff message referred to and en-
dorsed by the Democratic platform:
To tue Congress Of tue United States.
You are confronted at the threshold OF
your legislative duties with condition Of the
national finances which imperatively demand ds
immediate and careful consideration.
The amount of money annually exaCted,
through the operation Of present laws, from
the industries and necessities of the people,
largely exceeds the sum necessary TO meet the
expenses OF the Government.
On the 3Oth day of June, 1885, the excess
of revenues over public expenditures, after
complying with the annual requirement of the
Sinking Fund act, was $l7, ,sbs, 735 .s4 dur
ing the year ended June 30, 1886, such ex-
cess amounted to $40, 4O5, ,545 20, and during
the year ended June 80, 1887, it reached the
sum Of $55, 567, ,849. 9.54. = A Our surplus
revenues have continued 10 account nlate, the
excess for the present year amounting on the
LIST day of December to $55, ,258, 70l 10, and
estimated 10 reach the sum of $ll3, 900, COO
on the Both of June next, at which date it is
expected that this sum, added 10 prior accu :
mutations, will swell the surplus in the Treas
ury TO $l4o, GOO, 900.
* y feE# ~E#A*
Our scheme of taxation, by which this
needless surplus is taken from the people and
put into the public treasury, consists OF q
tariff or duty levied upon importations from
abroad, and internal revenue taxes levied np-
on the consumption of tobacco and spiritu-
Gus and malt liquors. 1t must be conceded
that none Of the things subjected to internal
revenue taxation are, strictly speaking, me-
cessaries; there appears to be no Just COM
plant OF this taxation by the consumers of
these articles, and there seems to be nothing
so well able to bear the burden without hard
ship to any portion of The people.
But our present tariff laws, the vicious, in
equitable, and illogical source Of unneces-
sary taxation, ought to be at once revised
and amended.
Under our present laws more than 4, 900
articles are subject to duty. Many of these
do not in any way compete with our own
manufacturers, and many are hardly worth
attention as subjects of revenue. A consid-
erable reduction can be made in the aggre-
gate, by adding 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 ev-
cry home, should be greatly cheapened.
-
Our progress toward wise conclusion will
not be improved BY dwelling upon the theo-
ries OF protection and free trade This savors
too much of bandying epithets. 1t is con-
dltion which c0nfronts 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
contemplated. The question of free trade is
absolutely irrevelant, and the persistent claim
made in certain quarters that all efforts to re-
lieve the people from unjust and unnecessary
taxation are scher es of so-caled free traders
is mischievOus and far removed from any con-
sideration of the public good
The simple and plain duty which we owe
the people is to reduce taxation TO the neces-
sary expenses Of an economical operation of
the Government, and TO restore to the busi-
ness OF the country the money which we hold
in the Treasury through the perversion of
governmental powers. These things can aud
should be done with safety to all our indus.
tries. without danger 10 the opportunity for
remunerative labor which our wOrSingmen
need, and with benefit to them and ali our
people, by cheapening their means of subsist-
ence and increasing the measure Of their COM
forts. GRoyER CLEyrLANp.
Washington, Dec. 6, 1887.