Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-06-15
The Third Party Impracticablss and
Free Trade.

AAVS AAoASs
The Philadelphia Press points out with
distinctncss and force that the Third party
managers are evidently determined that
mo proof shall be wanting Of the charge
that their organization Is only tender to
the Democratic locomotive. Their zeal In
proclaiming their purpose to skill the
Republican party" and in expanding most
Of their efforts In the doubtful States,
where their canvass can result only to the
benefit OF the Democratic party, have been
cited to demonstrate this claim. 1t re-
bitionists TO show this year that they were
In league with the Democracy in its cam
paign against the industrial interests of
the country.
The revenue plank as originally adopted
at the Prohibition National Convention,
which was held last week In indianapolis,
read a. follows:
That an adequate public revenue being
necessary, it may properly be raised by i'm
port duties and by an equitable assessment
upon the property and the legitimate business
of the country; but import duties should be
so reduced that no surplus shall he Iccumu
lated In the Treasury, and that the burdens
of taxation shall be removed FROM foods,
clothing and other comforts and necessaries
of life.
This il distinctively Free Trade plank.
Even the Chicago Tribun. pronounees it
IA "virtually a declaration in favor of the
British Free Trade system. Some time
after the platform had been adopted a
Pennsylvania delegate moved an amend
mcnt to the Tariff plank by adding the
phrase "And imposed upon such articles
Of import as will give protection to the
manufacturer, employer and producing
labor against the competition of the
world" The amendment was adopted
before the Convention knew what it was
doing and without any discussion being
allowed by the chair or any notice being
taken Of the protests raised. 1t was
evidently trick on the part of few
who saw that the party had made mis-
take in declaring its real sentiments and
committing itself unreservedly to Free
Trade.
The resolution as originally drawn un-
doubtedly expressed the opinion Of the
great majority Of the political Prohibition
lists. A further proof of this Is seen in
the action Of tAe Illinois Prohibition Con-
vention which met in Springfield MAY Is.
The resolution then adopted reads: ave
favor tariff for revenue sufficient to
meet the necessary requirements OF gov
eminent economically administered and
so levied as to relieve to the greatest
possible extent the necessaries of life"
This IL n clean-cut, Free Trade Democratic
plank and Is In the precise language often
used in Democratic platforms. 1t Is well
that the political Prohibitionists have
disclosed their purpose 40 early in the
campaign. The fact that they are in ALI
ance with the Free Trade Democrats to
break down the policy of Protection will
make ii doubly difficult for them to mis-
lead the Republican advocates of temper
ance,
Nothing can he palmer than that this
plank of the Convention, which nominated
Clinton b. Fiske for the Presidency, was
controlled by those who hold views on the
Tariff precisely like those advanced by
Cleveland In his December message, and
are now being advocated by Democratic
Congressman in the House of Representa-
tives. II points directly to raising part OF
their national revenues by direct tdrdtion
on property, one of the principal doctrines
of the ultra Free Traders. This makes it
impossible for any sincere friend Of Amer
can Industries and American Home inter
ests to vote the Third party national ticket.