The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-16

ueDt, ana DcIlcNc nittlUnal ucDI HOu-
taxable and non-productive, a national
curse Of the greatest magnitude.
The proper principle of tariff taxation
may be declared IN platforms, but it will
require the best mercantile and business
brain OF the nation TO arrange the details
80 as TO get revenue and intict no undue
and unequal burden upon any person, oc-
cupation or section.
THE PROPER RULE FOR TAXATION
is to levy on each article selected for taxa
ton that rate Of duty which will bring to
the government the greatest amount Of
revenue.
The rate so levied will give 10 home in
dustry all legitimate and ample protection
against foreign competition.
The home market should be divided be-
tween importation and home manufac-
lures. The importer and manufacturer
should meet face to face, and neither should
be allowed TO run the other out
Of the market by prohibitory duties
or by the removal Of all duties
This kind OF discrimination and incidental
protection has been approved of by such
Democrats as Andrew jackson and James
X. Polk. [See Stateman's Manual, ,443.
To levy that rate which will get the most
revenue, will divide the market, and in
ninety-nne eases out Of every 100 will give
all necessary protection to home industry.
The revenue duty here indicated can be
obtained by experiments or from the opin-
ion OF skiliul merchants.
The condition and great extent Of agri-
culture in the United States makes il the
best market in the world for manufactured
articles.
The rich men, combinations and corpor-
atoms who have hundreds of thousands OF
poor men in their employ will use all
means possible 10 control politicians in
Congress, No az 10 continue the protective
system which has been more profitable to
them than gold mines. Injustice 10 the
people, whether inflicted by a republic or
an Emperor, is an objectionable sin. In
u republic liberty and justice should dwell
together. IL Is wrong and robbery under
the forms OF law 10 make one man pay a
high price that another may sell for u
greater profit.
Free trade and protection are sometimes
used by politicians TO alarm and mislead
people, as nurses cry raw head and bloody
bones" 10 alarm and control children.
Every tariff carries with il protection to
home industry-tarilf and protection are
one and inseparablo. As well talk OF a
river without water; Of treo without q
shadow; Of a solid body without dimen-
sions; of ice without GOODNESS; OF night
without darkness; OF n sun without light
ami heat, ~ tariff without protection.
To Illustrate A duty of cent gives cent
protection, and duty of 100 cents gives
100 times more protection. Revenue from
the present tariff WIS in round numbers
500, 100000 In 1882. and Sl9j, 900, 600 in
1884, and will average about $500 900, 900
annually, and will give protection TO home
industry 10 that extent The expenditures
OF the government within the last twenty
five years have swelled from about $50, 000,-
900 to nearly $500 600, 900, and the money
must be collected from duty on imports
or from internal taxation.
This IL the greatest OF all polit-
zeal questions. Taxes are tho lilo
Of the government and a heavy burden ON
the citizens. The power 10 tax is the
power TO destroy. II can be used 10 en-
rich one class aud make paupers OF AN
other, as decided by the supreme court Of
the United States. See 20, Wallace U. 5.
Reports, page 663.
While limited in all other powers by the
constitution, the power 10 tax has been
used by tho government Ms II unlimited.
In former days II was used 10 give bound
less wealth 10 the New England manufac-
turoru, NJ tho expense of the southern ag-
ricul,urists. An taxes should be levied
equally upon oil persons, occupations
property and sections, or as nearly 20 as
wiso laws made with that intent can pro-
vide. But II parties In Congress shall pass
laws 10 enrich manufacturers, miners,
merchants, bondholdcrs, bankers or spec
ulators in credit moblicr as has been often
done, there seems TO be no constitutional
remedy except change OF ruler by the
ballot box.
The idea Of taxation for protection sake
only" IL not born In the hearts and brains
OF working men, nor does IL increase their
wages or better their condition. IL is the
pet idea Of the millionaire, and gives very
little protection TO labor, and very much
for money and machinery.
In 1924 Mr.. Clay, when discussing his
American system, estimates the machine
power Of England n equal TO 200, OOO, 900
OF day laborcrs, and that this vast power
was then operated by less than 1000, 900
OF mon. lColton's life Of Clay, % vol, p.
100.
Tho increase and improvements In ma.
chincry since 1894 have been wonderful
and most incalculablc. II Is probable that
the machine power OF America In 1883
will exceed the power OF 400, 200, 900 Of
day laborcs, and that this vast power Is
operated by less than 100000 Of men.
AZ this time human labor Is a very small
item In the cost Of manufactures. Ii tho
law protects or aids one laborcr II Mt tho
same time aids aud protects moro than 200
times his value as working power In iron,
steel, water, steam, money and machinery.
Tho voice Of this mighty power, like the
voice Of many waters, fails upon the ears
Of congressman aud party leaders, and
they fear and trcmblc aud sometimes be-
come its humble servants, for help or pro-
motion.
rAurER LABOR ANp NORTHERN NASuFAc-
ruRERs.
II Ia not the paupor labor OF old England
against which Tennessee needs protection.
II il the organized capital aud paupcr labor
Of the rich manufacturers Of New England
that are the mortal enemies OF the manu-.
iacturcm IT the south.
In December, 1877, a largo convention
met in Baltimore 20 consider how 10 pro.
toct society against an army Of 200, 600
unfortunate men called tramps, then wan
dcring hungry, housOlcss aud homeless
through the northern States What has
become Of this grand army OF misery and
misioriuno2 Did they perish by the way.
tidc7 Some Of them may have been VII.
lains and some ~ noble soulcd men "a
over trod Gods green earth. II Is most
| probable that many oi these poor men,
with ill-clad vito aud halislarycd chill.