Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1888-06-21
TAR,EF aEFoRm.


method, not in advance of public opin-
ion, but responsive to it's demands, the
Democratic party is pledged to revise
the tariff in a spirit of fairness to all in
t..rests. r
But in making reduction in taxes, it
is not proposed to injure any domestic
Industries. but rather to promote their
healthy growth. FROM the foundation
of this Government, taxes collected at
the Custom House have been the chief
source of federal revenue. Such they
must continue to be. Moreover, many
Industries have come to rely On legisla-
ton for a successful continuance, so
that any change of law must be at every
step regarlful of the labor aud capital
thus involved. The process of reform
must be- subject in the execution to this
plain dictate of justice.
All taxation shall be limited to the re-
quirements of economical government.
The necessary reduction in taxation can
and must be effected without depriving
American labor of the ability to COM
pete successfully with foreign labor, and
without imposing lower rates of dut.
thnn will be ample to cover any in
creased cost of production which may
exist in consequences of the higher rate
of wages prevailing in this country
National Democratic Platform, 1854.
The proposition with which We have
to deal is the reduction of the revenue
received by the Government, and indi-
rectly paid by the people from custom
duties. The question of free trade il
not involved, nor il there now any oc-
casion for the general discussion of the
wisdom or expediency of protective
system.
Justice and fairness dictate that in
any modification of our present laws
relating to revenue, the industries and
interests which have been encouraged
by such laws, and in which our citizens
have large Investments, should not be
ruthlessly injured or destroyed. We
| should also deal with the subject in
such manner III to protect tue interests
of American labor, which is the capiia.
Of our workiDgmen; it's stability and
proper remuneration furnish the most
justl6able prerext for protective poll
| cy.
With IL these limitations q certain n :
| duction should be made in our customs
revenue. The amount Of such reduc-
ton having been determined, the in
quiry follows, where can it best be re-
niittrd and what articles can best be
released from duty, in the interest OF
our citizens2
I think the reduction should be made
In the revenue derived from tax upon
the imported necessaries of lie. We
thus directly lessen the cost of living in
every family of the laud, and release to
the people in every humble home q
larger m assure of the rewards of frugal
industry Il President Clevelnnd's Mes.
sage. Dec. 8, 1885.
Our progress toward a wise conclu
sion will not be improved by dwelling
upon the theories of protection and free
trade. This savors too NJ uch of handy.
ing epithets. It il condition which
confronts us-not II theory. Relief from
this condition mny involve slight re-
duction of the advantages which W,
award our home productions, but thu
entire withdrawal Of such advantages
should not be contemplated. The
question Of free trade is absolutely ir
relevant; and the persistent claim mad,
in certain quarters, that oil efforts t.
relieve the people from unjust and uu
necessary taxation are schemes of SO
called free-traders, is mischievous anC
far removed from any consideration TO-
the public good.
! Fhe simple and plain duty which ",
owe the people is TO reduce taxation +,
the necessary expenses of ON economic
al operation of the Government, and t,
restore to the business Of the countr,