Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1888-06-11
TARIFF REFORM.

Knowing full wen, THAT legislation
affecting the occupations of tho people
should be cautious and conservative in
method, not in advance of public opin-
ion, but responsive to it's demands, tho
Democratic party il pledged 20 revise
the tariff in spirit of fairness to all in.
tefests. : ~.
But in making reduction in taxes, IL
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 tho chief
source Of federal revenue. Such they
must continue TO be. Moreover, many
industries have COMB to rely ON tlegisla-
ton for o successful continuance, so
that any change of law must be at every
step regardful 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 10 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 dutr
shaASwill be ample to cover any in
creased cost Of production which may
exiktin Consequences of the higher rate
OF wages prevailing in this country
CNational Democratic Platform, 1884. p
The; proposition with which we have
10 denl is the reduction OF the revenue
received by the Government. and indi-
eectly paid by the people from custom
duties. The question of free trade 10
not involved, nor is 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 10 revenue, the industries and
interests which. have been encouraged
by such laws, and in which our citizens
have large Investments, should not DO
ruthlessly. injured or destroyed. We
should also deal with the subject In
such manner as to! protect tho interests
OF American labor, which is the capital
Of our workingmen; it's stability and
vnrnnar rarou,, aro To-, f,.,,;.A A. -.z.k
3usti6ablp pretext for n protsetlye poll
oy.
Within these limitations certain re.
duction should be made in our customs
revenue. The amount Of such reduc.
tion having been determined, the in.
luiry follows, where can it best be re-
mitt"d and what articlss can best be
released from duty. in tho interest Of
our citizens7
think the reduction should be made
In the revenue derived from o tax upon
tho imported necessarieB of life. We
thus directly lessen the cost of living Ia
every family of the land, and release to
the people in every humble home Q
larger measure of the rewards OF frugal
industry II President Clevelaud's Mes
sage. Dec. 8, 1886. ..
Our'progrsss towart: n 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. It is condition which
contronts us--not = theury. 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 ia absolutely ir-
relevant; and the persistent claim made
in certain quarters. that oil efforts to
relieve the people from unjust and uu-
necessary taxation are schemes OF 30
called frve-traders. is miscellaneous and
for removed from any considara for
the public good.
The simple aud plain duty which We
owe he people 10 to reduce taxation TO