Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1888-07-16
TARIFF REFOHm.

should be cautious and conservative in
method, not in advance of public opin-
ion, but responsive to its demands, the
Democratic party ID 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 have come to rely on legisla-
ton for a successful continuance, 80
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 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 duty
than will be ample to cover any in
creased cost of production which may
exist in consequence of the higher rate
of wages prevailing in this country
National Democratic Platform, 1884.
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 is
not involved, nor il there now any oc-
casion for the general discussion of the
wisdom or expediency of q 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 as to protect the interests
of American labor, which is The capital
of our workingmen; it's stability aud
proper remuneration furnish the most
justifiable pretext for protective poll
cy.
With n these limitations certain re-
duction should be made in our customs
revenue. The amount of such reduc-
ton having been determined, the ill.,
quiry follows, where can it best be re-
niitt~d and what articles can best BIZ
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 necessnries of life. We
thus directly lessen the cost of living in
every family of the land, and release to
the people in every humble home a
larger measure of the rewards of frugal
industry President Cleveland's Mes
sage. Dec. 8. 1885.
Our progress toward wise conclu-
sion Will not he improved by dwelling
upon the theories of protection and free
trade. This savors too much of handy.
ing epithets. 1t is a condition which
confronts us-not II theory. Relief from
this condition may involve 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 un-
necessary taxation are schemes OF So
| called free-!raders, is mischievous 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
al operation Of the Government, and to
restore to the business Of the country
the money which we hold in the Treas