The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-02-03

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! it was false. TIE system of taxation in
this country for the last twenty years
has been standing menace and source
OF constant injury to the laborer HIM
self. Who would deny that the sys-
tenn which had prevailed under Repub-
llcan administrations in this
country, and for years past
had caused more strikes, driven more
men from employment, filed z the
country with more tramps, aggravated
distress, created more discomfort and
produced more starvation and death,
than any other system the country ever
saw. Was it not time for change :?
And yet when the President of the
Quilted States, confronting braye!y the
solemn requirements of his high Office,
and daring to preservs a patriotic re-
gard for his public responsibilities, ven
tured suggestion of the remedy which
had over and over again been presented
and demanded by one administration
after another, he was assailed by one of
the acknowledged leaders of Repub-
Hcan organizations ss frivolous in
his action, or bent on destruction.
1t might as well be understood now as
hereafter, that this movement for ra-
form and relief of the public burden,
in which the President had mantully
and gallantly taken the lead, meant as
a practical result that the country was
aroused to the justice of its demands.
The spirit of fairness and justice would
prevail in all things, both benefits and
the burden Of our SYSTEM of taxation
would be distributed fairly, that sys-
tenn both. internal aud external
would be treated as a whole The
tax on tobacco would, he had 40
doubt, be reduced, or wholly repealed.
Iron, coal. wood and other products of
labor, care and enterprise would not be
sacrificed. They would stand subject to
their fair share In the benefits of what
ever system might be devised, and
bearing their fair share OF the burdens
of the Common lot. There was ample
room for reduc ion of existing taxes,
without violence to any interest. The
Democratic Party had never been the
enemy of labor. Maintaining the an
cient doctrine of home rule, special
privileges to none and equality before
the law, it had ever been, and ever
would be, the safest guardian of the poor
and humble. Lator would find under
its control of government, fair and Sc
cure reward; but monopoly, fortified
and entrenched behind twenty or more
years of Republican eXaction and mis-
rule, would have to go. The question
before US at this time is the reference of
the Presidents message. Debate on
the question has been calculated to
alarm and terrify the country, bat the
co lntry is now ready for the fray. 1t
is my candid judgment that the great
asses of the people will endorse and
support this brave struggle for their
rights and the relief OF their bondage.
Mr.. Sherman congratulated his
friend from West Virginia for having
proclaimed the fact that the. ranks of
the Democratic party were closed, and
that a distinct issue was to be presented
to the people. That party has been in
possession of the House of Representa-
tives more than ten years and not
single affirmative proposition measure
as to the tariff question has been pre-
ssnted to the judgment of the American
people. If the Democratic party had
closed up its ranks, and there was 10
be a fair and manly contest between
the two parties upon the great public
question. he would be delighted but he
did not believe the issue would be pre-
sented. Let the democratic ranks be
closed, let its proposition to reduce tax
alton be presented, and the Republican
party would be found with its old ranks
ready to accept theissue, and
let it go to the people. But for the
Senator from West Virginia to assail him
for having expressed views ten and
twenty years ago, which appeared to be
different from those he expressed to-
day, was rather small hole to creep
out of. II was true. that
l,n of
thirty years ago, he (Sherman) might
haze changed his mind. but
if be had not done so under changed
conditions and circumstances, he would
not be worthy of seat in the Senate. |
Applause in the gallery.) 1t was on a
bill to report internal revenue taxes, in |
1867, that he had made the remark |
that taxes most willingly paid were |
those on spirits, beer and tobacco, SO |
they were then. They are to-day. but |
within the last few years complaint had |
come, mainly from the southern States,
against the tax on tobacco. 1t came |
rom farmers. He heededit, he obeyed |
t, he regarded 1t. and in so doing only
lid what the Senators from VIRGINIA,
West Virginia, Tennessee, North Caro-
liza and Kentucky ought TO do. The |
Republican party would join with the
Democratic party in reducing such
AVIATION as bore heavily on the people,
,ut it would preserve the system of
by tariff duties. just so long
Is it was necessary to give Americans
air chance in the trade and commerce
If the country. The law referred to in
'egard to immigration under the con-
ract act, was passed in the midst of
var, when 100000 northern men were
Town south. 1t was law invitlng
oreigners to help make good the
Ibsence, of the brave Union soldiers.
lie would have voted then for any kind
If law to defeat the Democratic party of
hat day. But he was sure he had vo ed
or its repeal, whenever that matter wss
presented. He congratulated Congress
hat the country was now to have q
air, square. manly issue presented on
he industrial question, a question
which affected the life, property and
interest of every citizen;
question between protected labor
q this country and the pauper
abor of Europe; question between
diversified industries, and that of a
ingle (agriculturaD interest, with few
acksmiths and carpenter ships
thr01 phOI1t the cnuDtrv