Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1888-07-06
TARIFF REFonn1.

Knowing full well, that legislation
affecting the occupations of the people
should he cautious and conservative in
method, not in advance of public opin-
ion, but responsive to its demands, the
Democratic party is pledged to revise
the tariff in spirit of fairness to all in
terests.
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 havo come to rely on legisIa-
ton for q successful continuance, SO
that any change of law must be at every
step regardful of the labor and 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 70.
quIrements OF economical government.
The necessary reduction in taxation can
and must be effected without deriving
American labor of the ability to COM
pete successfully with foreign labor, and
without imposing lover rates of dut.
than will be ample to cover any ip-
creased cost of production which mny
exist III consequence 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-
rectIy paid by the people from custom
duties The question of free trace is
not involved, nor is there now any oc-
casion for the general discussion of the
wisdom or expediency of IL protective
system.
Justice and fairness dictate TINT in
any modification of our present laws
leiatlrg TO revenue, the Industries and
Interests which have been encourage
by such laws, und in which our citizens
have large inve: tn euts, should not he
ruthleesly injured or destroyed. We
should also deal with the subject in
ouch manner AZ to protect the interests
of Amcr!can labor, which is the capilar
of our workingmen; its stnbil ~ aud
proper remuneration furnish the most
JuStltiable pr ext for protective poll
cy.
With these limitations certain re-
duction should be made in our customs
revenue. The amount Of such reduce
ton having Teen determined, the ill.,
qui'y follows, where can it best he re-
mitt aud what articles can be: { be
released from duty, in the interest OF
our citiZensP
think the reduction shonld be mnde
In the revenue derived froIu q tax III ON
the Imported necessnries of life. We
thus directly lessen the cost of living in
every family Of the land, and relcuse to
the people in every humble home a
larger measure of the rewards of frugal
industry Il President Clcveluud's Mes
sage, Dec. 8, 1885.
Our progress toward wise conclu-
sion Will not be improved by dwelling
upon the theories of protection and free
trade. This suvors too much of handy.
ing epithets. 1t is a condition which
confronts us-not theory. Relief from
this condition mOy involve d slight re-
duction of the advantages which we
award our home productions, but the
entire withdrawal OF such ADVANTAGES
should not be contemplated. The
question of free trade is absolutely ir-
relevant; and the persistent claim made
in certain quarters, that oil efforts to
relieve the people from unjust and tn
necessary taxation are schemes of So
called free-;raders. is mischieyous and
far removed from any consideration for
the public good.
The simple and plain duty which we
owe the people is to reduce taxation to
the necessary expenses OF an economic.
II