Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1888-06-27
TARlEF aEro,..,.

affecting the occupations of the people
should be cautious aud 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 alI 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 Mt
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 q successful continuance, SO
that any change of law must be OF every
stop 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 taxution can
and must be effected without depriving
American labor Of the ability to conf
pete successfully with foreign labor, and
without imposing lower rates of dut,.
than will be ample to cover any in
creased cost of production which muy
exist III consequence of the higher rate
Of wages prevailing in this country
National Democratic Platform, 1894.
The proposition with which We have
to deal is the reduction of the revenue
received by the Government, und indi-
rectly paid by the people from custom
duties. The question of free trnde is
not involved, nor is there now any &C.
cnslon for the general discussion of the
wisdom or expediency of u protective
system.
Justice md fairness dictate that in
any modification of our present laws
reIatiDg to revenue, the Industries and
interests which have been encouraged
by such laws, and in which our citizens
hive large investments, should not be
ruthlessly injured or destroyed. We
should nlso deal with the subject in
such manner as to protect the interests
of American labor, which is the capital
OF our workingmen; its stability aud
proper remuneration furnish the most
justifable pretext for o protective poll
cy.
With II these limitations O 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'T best BIO re-
nlitted aud whit articles can best he
released from duty. in the interest OF
our citizens2
think the reduction should be made
in the revenue derived from a tax upon
the imported necessaries of life. We
thus directly lessen the cost of living in
every family of the laud, and release to
the people in every humble home u
larger measure of the rewards of frugal
industry Il President Clevelaud's Mes
snge, Dec. s, 1886.
Our progress toward wise conclu-
sion will not be improved by dwelling
upon the theories of protection and free
trade. This savors too much of handy
ing epithets. 1t is condition which
confronts us-not 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 IT.
relevant; and the persistent claim made
i'll certain quarters, that oil efforts to
relieve the people from unjust and TN
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 nm economic.
al operation of the Government, and to
restore to the business of the country
H.. a. 2 a. a