The South western news., 1888-12-12
THE TARIFF.
An EXTRACT FROM TIE
PRESIDENT S MESSAGE.
A JUST AND SENSIBLE REVISION

OF our tariff laws should be made
for the relief of those of our coun-
trymen who suffer under the present
conditions. Such revision should
receive the support of all who love
that justice and equality due to
American citizenship; Of all who
realize that in this justice and
equality our Government finds its
strength and its power to protect
the citizen and his property; of all
who appreciate that a forbearance
and fraternity among our people
which recognize the value of every
American interest are the surest
guaranty of our national progress,
and Of all who desire to see the
products of American skill and in
genuity in every market of the
world with a resulting restoration
of American commerce.
The necessity OF the reduction OF
revenue is so apparent as to be gen,
orally conceded, but the means by
which this end shall be accomplish
ed, and the sum of direct benefit
which shall result to our citizens,
present a controversy of the utmost
Importance. There should be no
scheme accepted as satisfactory, by
which the burdens of the people
are only apparently removed; ex.
travagant appropriations of public
money, with all their demoralizing
consequences, should not be toler-
ated, either as a means of relieving
the treasury of its present surplus
Or as furnishing a pretext for re-
sisting proper reduction in tariff
rates. Existing evils and injustice
should be honestly recognized, bold
ly met, and effectively remedied.
There should be no cessation of the
struggle until plan is perfected,
fair and conservative, toward ex>
listing Industries, but which will re-
duce the cost to consumers of the
necessaries Of life while it provides
Tor our manufacturers the advant-
oges Of treer raw materials, and
permits no injury to Iheinterests of
American labor. The cause of
which HE battle is waged, is to i'm.
prove within the lines clearly and
distinctly defined. 1t should never
be compromised. 1t is the peoples
cause.
1t cannot be denied that the sell
fish and private interests which are
so persistently heard when efforts
ale made to deal in a just and COM
prehensive manner with our tariffs
laws, are related to, if they are not
responsible for, the sentiment
largely prevailing among the peo-
pie that the General Government
is the fountain Of individual and
private aid that it may be expect
ed to relieve with paternal care the
distress OF citizens and communi-
ties. and that from the fullness 70
its treasury it should, upon the
slightest possible pretcxt OF pro-
noting the general good, apply
public funds to the benefit of lo-
calities and individuals. Nor can
it be denied that there is a growing
assumption that, as against the
Government and in favor of pri>
waite claims and interests, the us-
ual rules and limitations Of bust
principles and just dealing should
be waived.
These ideas have been unhappi-
ly, much encouraged by legislative
acquiescence. Relief from contracts
made with the Government is TOO
easily accorded in favor of the citi,
zen; the failure to support claims
against Che Government by proof,
it often supplied by no better con-
sideration than the wealth Of the
Government and the poverty Of the
! olainient.
Theadvocates Of free whisky will
no d)ubt be stimulated by the in>
tellIgence that there are now 93
! 006,0 600 gallons distilled in hi,
country and awaiting consump.
ton. This is about gallon and a
half to each person, without regard
4, 4, 6ea INV nDl ~. 80, ....-... :.