Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-09-19

years, and they have lost none of their hateful
features because they have assumed the name
of trusts instead OF conspiracies. We believe
that these trusts are the natural offspring of
market artificially restricted, that an inordi-
nately high tarin. beside furnishing the tempta-
tion for their existence, enlarges the limit
within which they may operate against the peo-
pie. and thus increases the extent OF their
power tor wrong doing. With an unafterable
hatred OF all such schemes, we count the check
ing Of their baleful operations among the good
results promised by revenue reform.
While we can not avoid partisan misrepre-
sentation our position upon the question of
revenue reform should be so plair ly stated as
to admit OF no misunderstanding We have
entered upon no crusade of free trade. The re-
form we seek to inaugurate is predicated upon
the utmost care for established industries and
enterprises, jealous regard for the interests OF
American labor and Q sincere desire to relieve
the country from the injustice and damages of
. condition which threatens evil to all the
people Of the land We are dealing with
no imaginary danger. Its existence has
been repeatedly confessed by all
political parties and pledges Of a remedy have
been made on all sides. Yet when in th- legis-
lative body where under the constitution all
remedial measures applicable TO this subject
must originate tho Democratic majority were
attempting with extreme moderation TO redeem
the pledge common TO both parties they were
met by determined opposition and obstruction
and the minority refusing TO cooperate in the
House OF Representatives, or propose another
remedy, have remitted the redemption of their
party pledge to the doubtful power OF the Senate.
The people will hardly be deceived by their
abandonment of the field OF legislative action
70 meet Il political convention and fiippantly
declare m their party platform that our con-
seryative and careful effort to relieve the
situation is destructive 10 the American system
OF protection. Nor will the people be misled by
the appeal to prejudice contained In the absurd
allegation that we serve the interest Of Europe
while they will support the interests of America.
They propose In their platform TO thus support
the interests four country by removing the in
ternsl revenue tax from tobacco and spirits
used In the arts and for mechanical purposes
They declare also that there should be such
revision Of our tariff laws as shall tend to check
the Importation of such articles as are produced
here.
Thus in proposing to increase the duties upon
such articles to nearly or quite q prohibitory
point they confess themselves willing to travel
backwards in the road Of civilization and TO de-
prive the people OF the markets for their goods
which can only be gained and kept by the SEM
blance at least of an interchange Of business,
while they abandon our consumers to the un-
restrained oppression of the domestic trusts
and combinations which are in the same plat
form perfunctorily condemned.
They propose further to release entirely from
except luxuries) the like of which can not be
produced in this country. The plain people of
the land and the poor, who scarcely use articles
OF any description produced exclusively abroad
and not already free, Will not find it dffcult to
discover whether their interests are regarded
in this proposition. They need IN their homes
cheaper domestic necessaIies and this seems to
! be entirely unprovided for in this proposed
scheme to serve the country.
Small compensation for this neglected need
| Is found in the further purpose here announced
and covered by the declaration that IT, after the
| changes already mentioned, there still remains
larger revenue than is requisite for the wants
| OF the Government the entire internal taxation
| should be repealed rather than surrender any
| part Of our protective system " Our people ask
relief from the undue and unnecessary bnrden OF
| tarin taxation now resting upon them. They
| are offered free tobacco and free whisky They
ask for bread and they are given a stone. The
| implication contained in this party declaration
| that desperate measures are justified or neces
| sary to save from destruction or surren
| der what is termed our protective system
should confuse no one. The existence of such
system is entirely consistent with the regula
tion of the extent to which it should be applied
and the correction of its abuses.
OF course, in a country as great as ours, with
such variety OF interests, often leading in en-
tirely different directions, it is difficult II moi
| impossible TO settle upon perfect tariff plan
! But in accomplishing the reform we have en-
| tered upon, the necessity OF which is so obvious
| believe we should not be content with a re
duction OF revenue involving the prohibition
| of importations and the removal of the
internal tax upon whisky. 1t can be
| better and more safely done within the lines
Of granting actual relief to the people in theil
! means Of living and at the same time giving ar
impetus to our domestic enterprises and furth
| ering our National welfare. II misrepresenta
| tions OF our purposes and motives are TO gair
| credence and defeat our present effort ir
this direction, there seems TO be nc
reason why every endeavor in the
| future to accomplish revenue reform should moi
| be likewise attacked and with like results. And
| yet no thoughtful man can fail TO see In the con
tinuance Of the present burden OF the people
| and the abstraction by the Government o.
| the currency Of the country inevitable dis
tress and disaster. All danger will be averteC
| by timely action. The difnculty o.
| applying the remedy will never be less and the
blame should not be laid at the door OF the
| Democratic party II it is applied to late.
With firm faith in the intelligence and
| patriotism OF our countrymen, and relying upor
the conviction that Misrepresentation will
not influence them, prejudice will no
| cloud their understanding and that menace will
not intimidate them, let urge the people,
interest and public duty for the vindicatiou o
| our attempt TO inaugurate arighteous and bene
! icent reform
| GROVER CT EvELAND.