The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-28
REVENUE REDUCTION.
The Presidents Policy Endorsed in Philadel-
phia-Text of the Platform Adopted.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 27.-The revenue reform
meeting AZ the Academy of Music tonight was
a great success. The house was crowded, all
available space being occupied. The meeting
was called to order by Mr.. William M. Singer
ley. who named Mr.. Wilson Welsh of this city.
az chairman, who then made address in
which he said: II am exceedingly grateful for
this mark of your confidence in calling me to
preside over a meeting that. believe, marks
departure in the history of this city and
State upon the tariff question" Speaking in
reference to the President of the United
States, he said that. 'in the exercise Of his pre-
rogative and in the performance of his duty, he
has called the attention of Congress and of the
people of the whole country to the Importance
OF this subject. You may object. if you please,
to the method he has adopted in doing this; you
may call in question the logical accuracy of his
arguments or his deductions. but fair man
will, think, question his earnestness of pur-
pose or his sincere desire to reach conclusion
that will be for the best interests of the whole
country. 1t should be borne in mind that the
President, in his message. does not advocate
free trade or the abolition of the tariff
whole. He says the revenues of the
government are in excess OF it's requirement and
the surplus in the Treasury has become a men
ace to the best interests of the country. How
best overcome the difficulty. In other
words. come. let reason together, and in the
exercise of our best judgment and in q true spirit
of patriotism, endeavor to reach a conclusion
that will avoid the threatened danger without
injury upon the manufacturing business in
terests of the country. That conceive to be
the spirit OF the Presidents message, and that,
insist, is the highest and best type of States
manship. What is needed at this juncture ia
fair manly, intelligent discussion, an admission
by both parties to the controversy that there is
ground for honest differences of opinion, and
recognition of the principle that just criticism Of
the existing laws and methods ia a necessity Of
our system OF government. and also the basis of
all substantial improvements aud progress.
believe with wise Legislation compete
with the world in the leading and necessary
come q necessity of our situation, and that the
present and future welfare of the iaboring
classes depends upon the manner of our do
w. C. P. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, followed
with similar remarks, when the following plat
form was adopted
Tax reduction is a necessity there can be no sue
cessful defense of fiscal policy which takes
money out of the pockets of taxpayers than is
sary for economical administration of the govern
ment. The remedy for excessive revenue is revised
taxation. President Arthur recommended, to this
end the abolition of the tobacco tax, enlargement
OF the free list and simplcation and reduction of
duties cotton, iron, tea, wool and wooens.
President Cleveland recommends free raw materials
for manufacturers and such other tariff reduction
the necessares of living shall afford the greatest
possible relief of the public burden. Believing that
substantial reduction of tariff duties is demanded
by a mere indscrimnate popular ciamor, but by the
best conservative opinion of the country including
that which has in former times been strenuous
for the preservation of national industrial de-
lenses, and that such reduction should be not only
due recognition or public sentiment and measure OF
justice to consumers but conducive the gener-
al industrial prosperity and beneficial to the special
interests affected, it is hereby
Resolved That the existing duties upon mate
rails which to be used in manufactures should be
removed; that the duties upon the articles used or
consumed by those who least able to bear the
burden of taxation should be reduced.
Frank Hurd then made a telling speech. after
wi rQad md loff
from prominent men throughout the country
indorsing the object of the meeting.