Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1888-06-30
TARIFF REEonr,.

affecting the occupations of the people
should be 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 spirit of fairness to all in
terests.
But in making reduction in taxes, it
is not proposed to injure uny domestic
Industries, but Iather to promote their
healthy growth. From the foundation
of this Government, taxes collected ut
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 successful continuance, so
that any change of law must be ct every
step regardful Of the labor and capital
thus involved. The process of reform
must be subject in the execution 10 this
plain dictate of justice. ....
All taxation shall be limited to the re.
quiiements of economical government.
The necessary reduction in taxation can
aud must be effected without depriving
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 tit
creased cost of production which may
exist i'll consequence of tho higher rat.
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, and indi-
rectly puid by the people from custom
duties. The question of free trade is
not involved, nor is there now any &C.
casion for the general discussion of the
wisdom or expediency of protective
system.
Justice and fairness dictate that in
any modification of our present laws
relating TO revenue, the industries and
interests which have been encouraged
by such luws, and in which our citizens
have large investments, should not be
ruthlessly injured or destroyed. We
should also deal with tie subject in
such manner as to protect tho interests
| of American labor, which is The capital
of our workingnIen; its stability and
proper remuneration furnish the most
justitiable preext for protective poll
cy.
With these limitations a certain re-
duction should be made in our customs
revenue. The amount Of such reduc-
tion having been determined, the ill
quiry follows, where con it best be re-
mitt~d and what articles can best he
released from dnty, in the interest OF
our citizens?
think the reduction should be made
in the revenue derived from tax upon
the imported necessaries of life. We
thus directly lessen the cost of living in
every family of the land, and relcnse to
the people in every humble home u
larger measure of the rewards of fruga
industry Il President Clevelnnd's Mes
sage, Dec. 8, 1885.
Our progress toward wise conclu.
sion will not be improved ty dwelling
upon the theories of protection and fires
trade. Ills savors too much of handy.
ing epithets. 1t is condition which
confronts us-not theory. Relief from
this condition mny involve slight re-
duction of the advantages which We
award our home productions, but the
entire withdrawal of such advantage.
should not be contemplated. Tbt
question of free trade is absolutely il
relevant; and the persistent claim made
in certain quarters, TINT oil efforts t.
relieve the people from unjust and IN
necessary taxation are schemes of SO
called free-!raders, IL niiscbieyous nnt
far removed from any consideration 70
tile public good.
The simple and plnin duty which ",
owe the people is to reduce taxation t,
the necessary expenses Of an economic
! al operation of the Government, and t.
restore to the business OF tie countr,