Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-09-13

lSiy the people or the truth OF ABSTRACT
theories nor by alone urging their assent
to political doctrine. We present to
them the propositions that they are I'M
Justly treated in the extent of present
federal taxation, that q condition Of ex-
treme danger exists, and that it is for
them TO demand a remedy and that de-
fense and safety promised in the guar
antees of their free government.
We believe that the same means which
are adopted to relieve the Treasury of
the present surplus and prevent its re-
eurrence. should cheaper to our people
the cost of supplying their daily wants.
Both of these objects we seek in part to
gain by reducing the present tariff rates
upon the necessities of life. We fully
appreciate the Importance to the country
of our domestic industrial enterprise
In the rectifcation of existing wrongs
their maintenance and prosperity should
be carefully and in friendly spirit con-
sidered. Even such reliance upon the
present revenue arrangements as have
been invited or encouraged should be
fairly and Justly regarded.
Abrupt and radical changes which
might endanger such enterprises. and in
| juriOuSly affect the interests of labor de-
pendent upon their success and cOntin-
Uance are not contemplated or intended.
But we know the cost of our domestic
manufactured products is increased and
their price to the consumer enhanced by
the duty imposed upon the raw materi
al used in their manufacture. WeknOW
that this increased cost prevents the sale
of our productions at foreign markets in
competition with those countries which
have the advantage of free raw material.
We know that confined to home mar
ket our manufacturing operations are
curtailed. their demand for labor irregu-
lar, and the rate of wages paid uncertain.
We propose therefore to stimulate our
domestic industrial enterprises by free
ing from duty the imported raw mate
rials which by the employment of labor
are used in our home manufactures, thus
extending the markets for their sale and
permitting an increased and steady pro-
ductiOn with the allowance of abundant
profits.
True to the undertaking course of the
Democratic party we will not neglect
the interests of labor and our working
men. In all efforts to remedy existing
evils we will furnish no excuse for the
loss of employment or the reduction of
the wages of honest toll. On the con-
trary, we propose in any adjustment of
our revenue laws to concede such en-
couragement and advantage to the en-
plovers of domestic labor as will easily
compensate for any difference that may
exist between the standard of wages
which should be paid to our laboring
men at the rate allowed in other cOun-
tries. We propose, too, by extending
the markets for our manufacturers to
promote the steady employment of labor,
while by cheapening the cost of the nee
eSSaries of life we increase the purchas-
ing power of the workingman's wages
and add to the comforts of his home.
And before passing from this phase of
the question, | am constrained to ex-
press the opinion that, while the inter
estS Of labor should be always sedulOuS-
" regarded in any moderation of our
tariff laws, an additional and more direct
and efficient protection to these inter
ests would be afforded by the restriction
and prohibition of the immigration or
importation of labOrerS from other cOun-
tries, who swarm upon our shores, hav-
ing no purpose or intent Of becoming
our fellOw-citiZens, or acquiring any
permanent interest in our country, but
who crowd every field of employment
with intelligent labor at wages which
ought not to satisfy those who make
claim to American citizenship.
The platform adopted by the late Ma
tional Convention of our party contains
the following declaration:
Judged by Democratic principles the
interests of the people are betrayed
when by unnecessary taxation, trusts
and combinations are permitted and
fostered. which while unduly enriching
the few that combine, rob the body of
our citizens by depriving them as pur-
chasers of the benefits of natural com
petition"
Such combinations have always been
condemned by the Democratic party.
The declaration of its national conven
tion is sincerely made, and no member
of our party will be found exeusing the
existence or belittling the perniciOus re-
suits of these devices to wrong the peO-
pie. Under various names they have
lost none of their hateful features be-
cause they have assumed the name of
trusts instead of cOnspiracies.
We believe that these trusts are the
natural offspring of market artifcially
restricted; that an inordinately high
tariff, beside furnishing the temptation
for their existence, enlarges the limit
within which they may operate against
the people, and thus increases the ex-
tent of their power for wrong doing.
With an unalterable hatred of all such
schemes we count the checking of their
hateful operations among the good re-
suits promised by revenue reform.
While we cannot avoid partisan misrep-
resentation, our position upon the ques-
ton of revenue reform should be so
plainly stated as to admit of no misun-
derstanding.
We have entered upon no crusade of
Free Trade. The reform we seek to in
augurate is predicated upon the utmost
care of established industries and enter
prises, jealous regard for the interests
of American labor and a sincere desire
to relieve the country from the injustice
and danger of a condition which threat
ems evil to all the people of the land.
We are dealing with no imaginary dan
ger. Its existence has been repeatedly
confessed by all political parties, and
pledges of remedy have been made on
all sides.
Yet, when in the legislative body, |
where, under the constitution, all RENE
dial measures applicable to this subject
must originate, the Democratic majority |
were attempting with extreme modera-
ton to redeem the pledge common to
both parties, they were met by deter
mined opposition and obstruction; and |
ba rafucincr 70 on 70 II,