Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1888-06-28
TARIFF REEonm.

knowing full well, that legislation
affecting the occupations of the people
should he cautious and conservative in
method, not in advance of public opin-
ion, but responsive to its demands, the
Democratic party is. pledged to revise
the tariff in q spirit of fairness to oil in
terests. ......
But in making reduction in taxes, it
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 the chief
source of federal revenue. Such they
must continue to be. Moreover, many
industries have come to rely on legisla-
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 to the re.
quirements of economical government.
The necessary reduction in taxation con
and must be effected without deprivine
American labor of the ability to COM
pete successfully with foreign labor, and
without imposing lower rates of dut.
than will be ample to cover any in
creased cost of production which may
exist in consequence of the higher rate
OF wages prevailing in this country
National Democratic Platform, 1884.
The proposition with which We have
to deal is the reduction Of the revenue
received by the Government, md indi-
rectly paid by the people from custom
duties. The question of free trnde is
not involved, nor il there now any &C.
casion for the general discussion of the
wisdom or expediency of q protective
system.
Justice and fairness dictate TINT in
any modification of our present laws
relating to revenue, the industries and
interests which have been encouraged
by such laws, and in which our CITIZEN,
have large investments, should not be
ruthlessly injured or destroyed. We
should also deal with the subject in
such manner az to protect the interests
OF American labor. which is the capita.
OF our workiDgmen; its stability and
proper remuneration furnish the most
justiiable prelext for protective poll
cy.
Within these limitations O certain re-
duction should be made in our custon,s
revenue. The amount of such reduc-
ton having been determined, the ILL.,
quiry follows, where can it best be re.
nIittrd and what articles Gun best lie
released from duty. in the interest OF
our citizeus2
think the reduction should be made
in the revenue derived from a tag upon
the imported necessaries of life. We
thus directly lessen the cost of living in
S'S'J AunhJ Va Cuo Ibuu, anu EelcA6e TO
the people in every humble home n
larger measure of the rewards of frugal
industry - President Cleveland's Mes
sage, Dec. 8, 1886. .-.. ....... .
Our progress toward 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 ia q condition which
confronts us--not theory. Relief from
this condition mny involve a slight re-
duction of the advantages which we
award our home productions, but tho
entire withdrawal of such advantages
should not be contemplated. The
question of free trade is absolutely ir-
relevant; and the persistent claim made
in certain quarters, that oil efforts to
relieve the people from unjust and un-
necessary taxation are schemes of So
called free-!raders, ia mischievous and
far removed from any consideration for
the public good.
The simple and plain dnty which we
owe the people ia to reduce taxation to
The necessary expenses of IN economic
al operation Of the Government, and to
restore to the business of the country