Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-09-13

/ ~ Vtopit VIII pnfuly ne Occcircd ~ tncu
abandooucnt Of the itld Of les siativo action
declare ~ their party platform that our con
servatlVe and careful effort 10 relieve the
situation Is destructive 70 The American system
OF protection. Nor win the people no mislod BY
the appeal to preiudi,c contained In the absurd
allegation that we serve tho interest Of Europe
while they will support the interests Of America.
They propose In their platform " thus support
The interests of0ur country by removing the in
tcrhal revenue tax from tobacco and spirits
used in the arts and for mechanical purposes.
They declare also that there should be such
revision OF our tariff laws a. shall tend TO check
the importation OF such articles as are produced
hero
Thus in proposing to Increase the duties upon
such articles TO nearly or quite a prohibtory
point they confess Themselves willing - travel
backwards in the road Of civilization and 10 do
privc the people OF the markets for their goods.
which can only be gained and kept by thc sem.
biance ut ieost ofun intcrchanRo Of business.
while they abandon our cOnsomcrs TO the un-
restrained oppression Of tho domestic trusts
and combinations which are m the same plat
form porfunciorily condemned.
They propose further to release entirely from
import duties all articles OF foreign production
Except luxurcD the like OF which can not be
produced in this country. The plain people Of
the land and the poor, who scarcely use articles
OF any description produced exclusively abroad
and not already free, Will not lind IL dncult 10
discover whether their interests arc regarded
In this proposition. They need IN their homes
cheaper domestic necessai ics and this seems to
be entirely unprovdci for in this proposed
scheme 20 serve the country.
Small compensation for this neglected need
is found in the further purpose here announced
aud covered By the declaration that if after the
changes already mentioned, there stiil remains
larger revenue than is requisite for the wants
Of the Government the entire internal taxation
should be repealed rather than surrender any
part OF oue elective system Our people asi,
reliof fr u ri- undue and unne cossary bnrdcn Of
tariff taxation now resting upon them. They
are offered free tobacco aud fire whisky They
ask for bread and they aro. given stone. The
implication contained In this party declaration,
that desperate measures are justified or ncces-
sary TO save from destruction or surrcn-
der what Is termed our elective system,
should confuse no ono. The existence Of such
a system Is entirely consistent with The regula-
ton OF the extent 20 which 70 should be applied
and tho correction OF abuses.
OF course. IN a country as great as ours, with
such a variety Of interests. often leading On en-
tirely different directions, 10 Is dincuit u not
impossible 20 settle upon perfect tariff plan.
But In accomplishing the reform we have en-
tered upon, The necessity OF which o. so obvious,
believe we should not be coatout with o re-.
duction OF revenue Involving the prohibition
Of importations and the removal of the
internal tax upon whisky II can be
better and more sagcly done Within the lines
Of grenting actual relief 10 the people iu their
means of living and at the same time giving an
impetus TO our domestic enterprises aud furth.
cring our National welfare. II misrcpTescnta-
iions OF our purposes and motives are 90 gaia
credcnco and defeat our present effort in
this direction, there seems 10 b" no
reason why every ondeayor In the
future TO accomplish revenue reform should not
be likewise ctia.kcd and with lie re ul;s. And
yot no thoughtiul man eau fuil 10 see IA the con.
iuuacce % the prcse0t burden Of the people
and the abstraction by the Goyernment %
IT,, cu'-cau, OF the country inevitable dis.
tress and disaster. Al danger viii be uvcrtod
ry Timely action. Tue difficulty OF
applying the remedy will never be lCss aud the
blame should not be laid at the doog Of tie
Democratic party u li is applied 70 late.
With frm faith in the intelligence aud
patriotism of our eountrymcn, aud relying upon
the conviction that mlsrepre sentatoa win
not influence then, prejudice will not
cloud their understanding and that menace will
not intimidatc them, let us urgs the peoples
interest and public duty faF the yindicliion OF
our attempt 10 inauglrate arghteous and beu0.
hccnt reform.
CvOvr0 a rvyT.kNu