Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-08-02
National Democratic Platform. 1888.

and endorses the views expressed by Presi.
sent Cleveland in his last annual message to
that platform upon the question Of tariff re-
dpcIion: and slsq saaSTsss the If fSS SS Of our
secure a reduction OF excessive taxation.
"Chief among its principles Of party faith
are the maintenance Of an indissoluble union
of free and indsstructible states now about TO
enter upon its second century Of unexampled
| progress and renown; devotion to q plan OF
government; regulated by a written consti-
tuition, strictly specifying every granted
power and expressly reserving to the states
as people, the entire ungranted residue OF
power; the encouragement Of Jealous
popular vigilance, directed to all who have
been chosen for brief terms to enact and exc
cute the laws, and are charged with the duty
Of preserving peace, ensuring equality and
establishing justice.
'The Democratic party welcome an exact
ing scrutiny of the administration of the
executive power, which four years ago was
committed to its trust, in the election of
Grover Cleveland, president Of the United
States. and it challenges the most searching
inquiry concerning It's fidelity and devotion
to the ,,.edgeS which then invited the suf-
frages ri ne people,
"Durins a most critical period of our
financial affairs, resulting from over taxa
ton, the anomalous condition of our cur
rency and public debt unmatured, it has
by the adoption of wise and conservative
course not only averted disaster, but
greatly promoted the prosperity OF the peo-
pie.
sit has reversed the improvident and un-
wise policy of the Republican party, touch
ing the public domain, and has reclaimed
from corporations and syndicates, alien and
domestic, and restored to the people, nearly
one hundred millions of acres Of valuable
land to be sacredly held as homeSteads for
our citizens.
"While carefully guarding the interest Of
the taxpayers and conforming strictly to
the principles of justice and equity, it has
paid out more for pensions and bounties to
the soldiers and sailors of the republic than
was ever paid before during an equal period.
'By intelligent management and judi
cious and economical expenditure of the
public money it has set on foot the recon-
struction of the American navy upon sys-
tenn which forbids the recurrence of scandal
and lnsures successful results
"It has adopted and consistently pursued
a firm and prudent foreign policy, preserv-
ing peace with all nations while scrupulously
maintaining oil the rights and interests OF
our own government and people at home
and abroad.
"The exclusion from our shores of Chinese
laborers has been efectually secured under
which has been postponed by the action Of a
Republican majority in the senate
Honest reform in the civil service has
been inaugurated and maintained by Presi-
dent Cleveland, and he has brought the pub
lie service to the highest standard of eff
cheney, not only by rule and precept, but by
the example of his untiring and unSeltish ad-
ministration of public affairs.
''In every branch and department of the
,,n1ar nonnoratia ooptro1 ba
rights and the welfare of all the people have
been guarded and defended; every public
interest has been protected and the equality
of all our citizens before the law, without
regard to race or color, has been steadfastly
maintained.
"Upon its record thus exhibited and upon
The pledge of a continuance to the people Of
che benefits Of good government, the Ma
tional Democracy invokes a renewal of pop
ular trust by the reelection of chief mag
istrate, who has been faithful, able and pru-
dent. They invoke in addition to that trust
by the transfer to the Democracy of the en-
tire legislative power.
1.-THE Republican party controlling the
senate and resisting in both houses of con-
gress reformation Of unjust and unequal
tax laws, which have outlasted the necessi-
ties of war and are now undermining the
abundance of a long peace, deny to the
people equality before the law and the fair
ness and the justice which are their right
Thus the cry of American labor for a better
share of the rewards OF industry is stifed
with false pretenses, enterprise is fettered
and bound down to home markets, capital
Is disturbed with doubt and unequal. unjust
laws can neither be properly amended nor
repealed.
''The Democratic party will continue with
all the power confided to it to struggle to re-
form these laws in accordance with the
pledges Of its last platform, endorsed at the
ballot-box by the suffrages Of the people,
''Of all the Industrious freemen of our
land an immense majority, including every
tiller of the soil, gain no advantage from
excessive tax laws; but the price OF nearly
everything they buy is increased by the IA
vorirism of an unequal system OF tax legis-
lation. All unnecessary taxation is unjust
taxation.
1T is repugnant to the creed of Democ-
racy that by such taxation the cost of the nee,
essaries of life should be unjustly increased
to all our people Judged by Democratic
principles, the interests of the people are be-
trayed, when by unnecessary taxation, trusts
and conditions are permitted and fostered
which will unduly enrich the few that COM
bine to rob our citizens by depriving them
of the benefit 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 economical administration,
is drawn from the people and the channels
of trade, and accumulated as demoralizilg
surplus in the National treasury.
"The money now lying idle in the Federal
treasury resulting from superfluous taxa.
tion, amounts to more than SIPS, ,000, 900, and
the surplus collected is reaching the sum of
more than SG0, 100000
"Debauched by this immense temptation,
the remedy of the Republican party is to
meet and exhaust it by extravagant taxa
tion The Democratic remedy is to enforce
frugultty i'll public expenditures and abolish
unnecessary taxation. Our established do
nestle industries and enterprises should not
and need not be endangered by a reduction
and correction of the burdens Of taxation.
"On the contrary, a fair and careful re-
vision of our tax laws, with due allowance
for the difference between the wages of
nit and encourage every branch Of such in.
surance of an extended market and steady
and continuous operation in the interest of
American labor which should in no event be
neglected; the revision of our tax laws, con-
templated by the Democratic party and to
promote the advantage of such labor, by
cheapening the cost Of the necessaries of life
in the home of every workingman, and at
the same time securing to him steady and
remunerative employment.
Upon this question of tariff reform, so
closely concerning every phase of our
natural life, and upon every question in
volved in the problem of good government
the Democratic party submits its principles
and professions to the intelligent suffrages of