Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-09-10

lar aDd the rate OF wages PAID uncertain.
We propose, therefore, to stimulate our
domestic Industrial enterprises by freeing
from duty the imported raw materials which
by the employment of labor are used in cur
home manufactures, thus extending the
markets for their sale and permitting an in
creased and steady production, with the al
lowance ofabundant profits.
True to the undertaking course of the
democratic party, We will not forget the in
terests of labor and our workingmen. In
all efforts to remedy existing evils we will
furnish no excuse for the loss of employment
or the reduction of the wage of honest toll.
On the contrary, we propose in the adjust
ment cf our revenue laws to concede such
encouragement and advantage to the en-
ployers of domestic labor as will easily com
pensate for any difference that may exist be
tween the standard of wages which should
be paid TO our laboring men and the rate al
lowed in other countries. We propose, too,
by extending the markets for our manufac
turers to promote the steady employment of
labor, while by cheepening the cost of the
| necessaries of life we increase the purchas
ing power of the workingmen's wages and
add 10 the comforts Of his home.
And before passing from this phase of the
question | am constrained to express the
| opinion that while the interests of labor
should be always sedulously regarded in any
modification of our tariff laws, an additional
and more direct and efficient protection 10
these interests would DE afforded by the re-
slliction and prohibition Of the immigration
or importation OF labofers from other coun
tries, who swarm upon our shores, having
no purpose or intent of becoming our fellow
ctiZsns or acquiring ans permanentinterest
10 cur country, but who crowd every field OF
employment with unlntelligent labor a!
wages which ought not TO satisfy those who
make claim to American citizenship.
The platform adopted by the late national
convention of our party contains the follow
ing declaration Judged by democratic
principles the interests of the people are be-
trayed when, by unnecessary taxation, trusts
and combinations are permitted and foster
ed, which, while unduly enriching the few
that combine, rob the body of cur citizens
by depriviDg them az purchasers of the ben
efits Of natural competition"
Such combinations have always been con-
demncd by the democratic party. The dec
iaration of its national convention is sincere
ly made, and no member of our party will
be found eXcusiDg the existence or belittle-
ing the pernicious results of these devices to
wrong the people, Under various names
they have been punished by the common
law for huudreds OF years. and they have
lost none Of their hateful features because
they have assumed the name OF trusts IN
stead Of conspiracies.
We believe that these trusts are the nat
ural oifapring OF a market artifcially re
stricsed that an ordinary high tariff, be
sides furnishing the temptation for their OK
is,ence, enlarges the limit within which they
may operate against the people, and thus
increases the extent OF their power for
wrong doing.
With an unaltered hatred Of all such
schemes we count the checking OF their BALE
full operations among the good results PROM
ised by revenue REFORM
While We cannot avoid partisan misrepresenta-
ton, our position upon the questions of revenue
reform should be so plainly stated as to admit OF
no misunderstanding.
We have entered upon no oTuSade OF free trade.
The reform we seek to inaugnrate is predicated
upon the utmost for established industries
and enterprises, jealous regard for the interests
! of American labor and sincere desire to relieve
| the country from the injustice and danger of 8
condition which threatens OWL TO all the people OF
the land.
We are dealing with no imaginary danger Its
existence has been repeatedly confessed by all po-
|
made on all sides.
Yet when in the legislative body, where under
rho constitution all remedial measures applicable
| 30 this subject must originate. the democratic
| EsjOrity were attempting with extreme modera-
ton to redeem the pledge common to both parties,
| they were met by determined opposition and OBJ
struction; and the minority, refusing to cs-oper-
ate in the House of Represen tatiyes or propose
| another remedy have RENTED the redemption of
| their party pledge to the doubtful power of the
Senate.
The people will hardly be deceived by their
Abandonment of the field or legislative action to
meet in political convention and hippantly de-
clare in their party platform that our conseiva-
tive and careful effort to elieve the situation is
destructive to the American system OF protection
Nor will the people be msled by the appeal to
prejudice contained in the absurd allegation that
we serve the interests of Europe, while they Will
support the interests of America
They propose in their platform to thus support
tho interest of our country by removing tho in
ternal revenue tax from tobacco and from spirits
used in the arts and for mechanical purposes.
j hey declare also that there should be such a re-
vision of our tariff laws rs shall tend to check the
importation Of such articles as are produced here.
| Thus in proposing to increase the duties upon
| such articles to nearly or quite pr0hibiGory
| point, they confess Themselves willing to travel
backward in the road of civilization and to de-
| prive our people of the markets for their goods
which can only be gained and kept by the semb-
lance st least of an interchange of business while
they abandon our consumers to the unrestrsin-
cd oppression of the domestic trusts and combna-
tions which are in the same platform perfuncto
rily condemned
They propose further TO release entirely from
| import duties all articles of foreign production
! except uxuriesl the like of which cannot be pro-
duced in this country. The plain people of the
land and the poor who scarcely use articles of any
| daa init of
alresdy free, will find it difficult to discover
whore their interests regarded in this PROPOSE
ton. They need in their homes cheaper domes-
tic necessaries; AMI this seems to be entirely
provided for i'll this proposed scheme TO serve the
country.
Small compensation for this neglected need is
found in the further purpose here announced and
| cnvercd hy the dnclaration that IL after The