The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-12-13

Tor the things they need that the scanty
returns of their labor fail to furnish
their support or leave no margin for ac-
TARIFF REDUCTION.
.sOur workingmen, enfranchised from
all delusions and no longer frightened
by the cry that their wages are endan-
eered by Just revision OF our tariff
laws, will reasonably demand through
such revision steadier employment,
cheaper means of living in their homes,
freedom for themselves and their chill
dren from the doom of perpetual servi-
tude, and an open door to their advance
ment beyond the limits OF laboring
class. Others of our citizens whose
comforts and expenditures are meas
ured by moderate salaries and fixed IN
comes will insist upon the fairness and
justice of cheapening the cost OF neces-
saries for themselves and their families.
ssWhen to the selfishness of the bene-
ficiaries of unjust discrimination under
our laws there shall be added the dis
content of those who suffer from such
discrimination we will realize the fact
that the beneticent purposes or our gov
ernment, dependent upon the patriotism
and contentment of our people, are en-
daneered, Communism is a hateful
thing, and a menace to peace and Or
ganized government. But communism
of combined wealth and capital, the out
growth of overweaning cupidity and
selfishness. which insidiously under
mines the Justice and integrity OF free
institutions, is not less dangerous than
the communism of oppressed poverty,
which, exasperated by injustice and dis
content. attacks with wild disorder the
citadel of rule. He mocks the people
who proposes that the government shall
protect the rich and that they in turn
will care for the laboring poor. ANY m
termediary between the people and tneir
government or the least delegation OF
the care and protection the government
owes to the humhlest citizen in the land,
makes the boast of free institutions
glimmering deiusion and the P retended
boon of American citizenship shameless
imposition. -
tariff laws should be made for the relief
of those of our countrymen who suffer
under present conditions. Such revision
should receive the support OF all who
love that Justice and equality to Amerl-
can citizenship; of all who realize that
in this Justice and equality our govern
ment finds its strength and power TO
protect the citizen and his property; OF
all who believe that the eontented com.
petence and comfort of many accord
better with the spirit of our institutions
than colossal fortunes unfairly gathered
in the hands of a few; of all who ap-
preciase that the forbearance and frater-
nifty among our people which recognize
A - N
are the surest guarantees of our national
progress, and Of all who desire to see the
products of American skill and ingenu-
ity in every market of the world, with
resultant restoration of American COM
merce.
HOW TO SPEND THE SURPLUS.
ssThs necessity of the reduction of our
revenue is so apparent as to be generally
conceded, but the means by which this
end shall be accomplished and the sum
of direct benefit which shall result to
our citizens present a controversy OF
the utmost importance. There should
be no scheme accepted as satisfactory
by which the burdens of the people are
only apparently removed. Extravagant
appropri ations of public money, with all
their demoral izing consequences. should
not be tolerated either as o means of re-
lieving the treasury of its present sur
plus or as furnishing pretexts for resist
ing a proper reduction of tariff rates.
EXISTING evils and injustice should be
honestly recognized, boldly met, and eft.
fectively remedled. There should be no
cessation of the struggle until plan is
perfected, fair and conservative toward
existing industries, but which will re-
duce the cost to consumers of the neces-
saries of life, while it provides for our
manufacturers the advantage of freer
raw materials and permits no injury to
the interests of American labor. The
cause for which the battle is waged is
comprised within the lines clearly and
distinctly defined. 1t should never be
compromised. 1t Is the peoples cause.
1t can not be denied that the selfish and
private interests which are SO persistent
ly heard when efforts are ma,te to deal
in q Just and comprehensive manner
with our tariff laws are related to, If
they are not responsible for, the senti-
ment largely prevailing among the peo-
pie that the general government is the
fountain of inIvidual and private aid;
that it may be expected to relieve with
paternal care the distress of citizens and
communities, and that from the fullness
Of its treasury it should, upon the slight
est possible pretext of promoting the
general good. apply public funds to the
benefit of localities and individuals,
Nor can it be denied that thsre.is aigrow-
ing assumption that as against the gov
ernment and in favor of private claims
and interests the usual rules and limita-
tions of business principles and just deal
ing should be waved. These ideas have
been, unhappily, much encouraged by
legislative acquiescence. Relief from
contracts made with the government is
too easily accorded in favor OF the citi-
zen. The failure to support claims
against the government by proof is often
supplied by no better consideration than
the wealth of the government and the
poverty of the claimant. Gratuities in
the form of pensions are granted upon
no other real ground than the needy
condition Of the applicant or for reason
less valid, and large sums are expended
for public buildings and other improve
ments upon representations scarcely
claimed to be related to public needs
and necessities. The extent to which
the consideration of such matters subor-
dinate and postpone action upon sub
jects of great public importance. but in
voiving no special private or partisan in
terest, should arrest attention and lead
to reformation.
sQUANDERING THE PULIC FUNDS
"a few of the numerous illustrations
OF this condition of affairs may be stated.
The crowded condition of the calendar
OF the Supreme court, and the delay to
suitors and denial of justice resulting
therefrom, has been strongly urged up
ON the attention of the congress, with
q plan for the relief of the situation ap-