The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1888-06-16

dorsed at the ballot-box by the suffrages
of the people. All the industrious free
men of our land-the immense majority,
including every tiller of the soil-gain
no advantage from excessive tax laws, but
the process Of having everything they
have decreased by the favoritism of an
unequal system of tax Legislation.
All unnecessary taxation il unjust tax
alton also. It is repugnant to the creed of
Democracy that by such taxation the cost
OF the necessaries of life should be I'M
justifably increased to all our people.
Judged by Democratic principles, the in
terests of the people are betrayed when,
by unnecessary taxation, trusts and COM
binations are permitted to exist, which,
while unduly enriching the few that COM
bine, rob the body Of our citizens by de-
priving them Of the benefits of natural
competition. Every Democratic rule of
governmental action is violated when,
through unnecessary taxation, a vast sum
of money far beyond the needs OF an eco
nomical administration is drawn from the
people and from the channels of trade
and accumulated as a demoralizing sur
plus in the national treasury.
The money now idle in the Federal
treasury, resulting from superhuous taxa
ton, amounts to more than $125, 000, 900,
and the surplus collected is reaching the
sum of more than $60,00O,O00 annually.
Debauched by this immense temptation
the remedy of the Republican party is to
meet and exhaust by extravagant appro-
priations and unconstitutional expenses.
The Democratic policy is to enforce fru-
gality in public expense, and abolish un-
necessary taxation. Our established do
nestle industries and enterprises should
not and need not be endangered by the
reduction and correction of the burdens
OF taxation. On the contrary fair and
careful revision of our tax laws, with due
allowance for the difference between the
wages Of American and foreign labor,
must promote and encourage every branch
Of such industries and enterprises, by
giving them assurances of an extended
market and steady, continuous operation.
In the interest of American labor, which
should in no event be neglected, the re-
vision Of our tax laws contemplated by
the Democratic party should promote tho
advantage OF such labor by cheapening
the cost of the necessaries of life in the
homo Of every workingman, at the Same
time securing to him steady and remun-
erative employment Upon this question
of tariff reform, 90 closely concerning ev-
cry phase of our national life, and upon
every question involved in theproblem Of
good government, the Democratic party
submits its principles and professions to
the intelligent suffrages Of the American
people.
Secretary Thomas Petit, of the con-
vention, during the reading of the re-
port of the committee on resolutions was
frequently compelled to stop for several
seconds while the convention applaud
ed. There was a moderative volume
of applause when the opening sentences
which reaffirmed the utterances Of tho
tariff plank in the platform Of 1884
was read, but when that which followed
indorsing the Presidents message cor
rectly interpreting that plank the COM
motion was great and the convention
rose to its feet and cheered for fully .
minute.