The Portland daily press., 1888-09-11

- sSAASNN0 w a lO1ucdl " lUdH Vi
advance on any terms; investors refuse all
risks and decline all securities and in a gem
eral fright the money still in the hands of
the people Is persistently boarded 1t is
quite apparent that when this perfectly natu
raj, II not inevitable stage, is reached de-
preston in all business and enterprise will
as necessary consequence lessen the oppor-
tunlty for work and employment and reduce
salaries and the wages of labor.
Instead, then, of being EXEMPT from the
influence and effect of an immense surplus
lying Idle In the national treasury, our wage
earners and others vino rely upon their
labor for support are most of ell directly con-
cerned IN the situation. Others seeing the
approach OF danger may provide against 1t,
but 1t will find those dependent upon their
daily toll for bread unprepared, helpless and
defenceless. Such state of affairs does not
| present case of idleness resulting from dis
putes between the laboring man and his en-
| pl0yer, but it produces an absolute and en-
forced stoppage of employment and wages
| In reviewing the bad effects ofthis accumu-
| lated surplus and the scale of tariff rates by
| which it is produced, we must not overlook
| the tendency towards gross and ScandG s0uS
| public extravaganza which congeSted treas
ury induces, nor the fact that we are main
tanning, without, excuse in a time of pro-
found peace, substantially the rate of tariff
duties imposed in time of war, when the
necessities of the government justified the
imposition of the weightiest burdens upon
the people.
Divers plans have been suggested for the
return of this accumulated surplus to the
people and the channels of trade. Some Of
these devices are at variance with all rules of
good finance; some are delusive, some are
absurd, and some betray, by. their reckless
extravaganza, the demoralizing influence of
a great surplus of public money upon the
Judgment of individuals. While such efforts
should be made as are consistent with public
duty and sanctioned by sound judgment, to
avoid danger by the useful disposition of the
surplus now remaining in the treasury it is
evident that, if its distribution were accom-
plished, another accumulation would soon
take its place IL the constant flow of redund-
ant income was not checked at its source by
reform in our present tariff laws.
We do not propose to deal with the con-
ditions by merely attempting to satisfy the
people of the truth of abstract theories or by
alone urging their assent to political doc
trine. We present to them the proposition
that they are unjnstly treated in the extent
OF present federal taxation, that, as result,
a condition OF extreme dag exists and that
1t is for them to demand a remedy and that
defense and safety promised in the guaran-
tee OF their free government We believe
that the same means which are adopted to
relieve the Treasury of its present surplus
and prevent its recurrence, should cheaper
to our people the cost of supply in their daily
wants. Both of these objects we seek in
part to gain by reducing the present tariff
rate. upon the necessaries of life.
We fully appreciate the importance to the
country of our domestic Industrial enter
priseS. In the rectiication of existing
wrongs, their maintenance and prosperity
should be carefully and in friendly spirit
considered. Even such reliance upon pres
ent revenue arrangements as have been in
vited or encouraged should be fairly and
justly regarded. Abrupt and radical changes
which might endanger such enterprises and
inJuriously affect the interest of labor de-
pendent upon their success and continuance
are not contemplated or intended.
But we know the cost of our domestic
manufactures and products in increased and
their price to the consumer enhanced by the
duty imposed upon the raw material used in
their manufacture. We know that the in
creased cost prevents the sale of our pro-
ductions at foreign markets in competition
with those countries which have the advan-
tage of free raw material. We know that
confined to home market our manufacture
ing operations are curtailed, their demand
labor irregular and the rates of wages paid
uncertain.
We propose. therefore, to stimulate our do
nestle, industrial enterprises by freeing from
duty the imported raw materials, which by the
employment of labor,p are used in our home
manufactures, thus extending the markets
for their sale and permitting an increased
and steady production with the allowance of
abundant profits.
True to the undertaking course of the
Democratic party, we will not neglect the
| interest of labor and our workingmen. In
all efforts to remedy existing evils we will
furnish no excuse for the loss of employ
ment or the reduction of the wages of hon
| est toll On the contrary we propose in any
adjustment Of our revenue laws to c0ncede
such encouragement and advantage to the
| employers of domestic labor as will easily
compensate for any difference that may exist
between the standard of wages which
| should be paid to our lab0rlng men and the
rate allowed in other countries. We pro-
| pose, too, by extending the markets for our
| ployment of our labor, while. by cheapening
the cost of the necessariesiof life, we increase
the purchasing power of the workingmen's
wages and add to the comforts of his home,
and, before passing from this phase of the
| question, am constrained to express the
opinion that while the interests of labor
| should be always sedulously regarded in any
modification of our tariff laws, and addition
| al and more direct and efficient protection to
| these interests would be afforded by the re-
| striction and prohibition of the immigration
| or importation of laborers from other coun-
| tries who swarm upon our shores, having no
| purpose or intent of becoming our fellow
| citizens or acquiring any permanent interest
| in our country, but who crowd every field of
| employment with unintelligent labor at
| wages which ought not TO satisfy those who
make claim to American citizenship.
| The platform adopted by the late national
convention of our party contains the follow
| ing declarations
| Judged by Democratic principles, the interests
| OF the people are betrayed when, by unnecessary
| taxation, trusts and combinations are permitted
| and fostered, which, while unduy enrching the
few that combine, rob the body OF our citizens by
deprlying them, as purchasers, by the benefits Of
natural competition"
| Such combinations have always been con-
demned by the Democratic perty. The dec
| laration of its national convention is sincere
| ly made, and no member of our party will De
| found excusing the existence or be-
these devices to wrong the people
under various names they have been punish
| ed by the common law for hundreds of years
| and they lose none of their hateful features
because they have assumed the names OF
/ trusts instead of conspiracies.
We believe that these trusts are the natur,
| al offspring of a market arti6Gially restricted
that an inordinately high tariff besides fur
nishing the temptation for their existence
enlarges the limit within which they may
| creases the extent of their power for wrong
| doing.
With an unutterable hatred of all such
schemes we count the checking of their bale
| full operation among the good results prom
| ised by revenue reform.
While we cannot avoid partisan misrepre-
| sentation, our position upon the question of
| revenue reform should be so plainly stated
| as to admit of no misunderstanding. We
have entered no crusade of free trade. The
| reform we seek to inaugurate is predicted
| upon the utmost care for established indus
tries and enterprises, a jealous regard for the
| interests of American labor and sincere
desire to relieve the country from the inius.
| tice and danger of a condition which threat
ems evil to all the people of the land.
We are dealing with an imaginary danger
| Its existence has been repeatedly confessed
by all political parties and pledges of rem
| edy have been made on all Sides Yet wher
in the legislative body where under the con.
stitution remedial measure applicable Il
this subject must originate, the Democratic
majority were attempting with extreme mod
| GRAFTON to redeem the pledge common to botl
| parties, they were met by determined oppo
sition and obstruction and the minority re.
fused to cooperate in the House of Repre-
sentatives or propose another remedy, have
RENTED the redemption of their party
pledges to tie doubtful powers of the Senate
the people will hardly be deceived by
| their abandonment of the field of legis
lative action to meet in political con
vention and fippantly declare in theil
party platform that our conservative
and careful effort to relieve the situa
ton is destructive to the American system
OF protection, nor will the people be mis-
led by the appeal to prejudice contained in
the absurd allegation that we serve the in
terest OF Europe, while they will support The
interest of America. They propose in theil
platform to thus support the interests of ouI
country by removing the internal revenu,
tax from tobacco and from spirits used in tn,
| arts and for mechanical nurnoSac