The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-11-01

presented in a direct form nothing viii arouse
popular disc intent more quickly and profoundly
than unjust and unnecessary taxation. Our farm
ers, mechanics laoorers and all cur citizens
closely the slightest increase in the taxes
sessed upon their lands and Other property, and
demand good reasons for such ncrease. And yet
they seem to be expected, in some quarters TO re-
gard the unnecessary volume of insidiolis and IN
direct taxation visited upon them by our present
rate of tariff duties with Indifference, if not with
favor. The surplus revenue now remaining IN the
treasury not only furnishes conclusive proof of
unjust taxation. but its existence constitutes a
separate and independent menace to the prosper
ity of che people.
This vast accumulation of idle funds represents
that much money drawn from the circulating
medium of the country, which is needed In the
channels of trade and business. II is great mis-
take TO suppose that the consequences which fol
low the continual withdrawal and boarding by
the government of the currency of the people are
not of immediate Importance to the mass
of our citizens and only concern Those engaged In
large financial transactions. In the restless en-
teIprise and activity which free and ready money
among the people produces is found that oppor
tllnity for labor and employment and that impe
tus TO business and production which bring in their
train prosperity TO our citizens in every station
and vocation. New ventures new investments III
business and manufacture, the construction of
new and important works. and the enlargement
VI S-lN
upon obtaining money upon easy terms with fair
security and all these things are stimulated ~
an abundant volume of circulating medium. Even
the harvested Grain Of the farmer remains with
out market unless money is forthcoming for its
movement and transportation to the seaboard.
The first result of a scarcity of money among
the people is the exaction of terms for its
Increasing distrust and timi ity is followe.
by refusal to loan or advance Oh any oerms. In.
vestorf refuse all risks and decline all securities
and in general fright the money still in the
hands VI the people Is per-iStently hoardei 1t Is
quite apparent that when this perfectly natural
If not inevitable. stage Is reached depression in all
business and enterprise will as a necessary
sequence, lessen the opportunity for work and
employment, and reduce salaries and the wages
of labor.
Instead. then, of being exempt from the IN
fiuence and effect of an immense surplus lying
idle in the national treasury. our wage-earners
and others who rely upon their labor for support
are most of all directly concerned i'll the situation
Others seeing the approach of danger may pro
vide against it, but it will find those depending
upon heir daily toll for bread np-epared, help
less, and defenceess. Such state of affairs does
not present case of idlenesS resulting from dis
putes between the laboIing man and his employer,
bat it produces an alb olute and enforced stoppage
of employ aent and wages.
In reviewing the bad effects of this accumu-
lated surplus and The scale of tariff rates by
which it is produced, must not overlook the
tendency toward gross and scandalous public
travagance which a congeSted treasury induces
nor the fact that maintaining, without ex
cuse in a time of profound peace, substantially
the rate of duties nposed in time of war, when
the necessities of the government justified the
imposition of the weightiest burdens upon the
people.
Divers plans have been suggested for the return
of this accumulated surplus TO the people and the
aha nl- of trad Of l..xrf,
variance with all rules of good finance; some are
delusive, some are absurd, and some betray by
their reckless extravaganza the demoraliLing in
fuence of great surplus of public money upon
the judgments of individuals. While such efforts
should be made are consistent with public duty
and sanctioned by sound Judgment to avoid
danger by the useful dispo ,tiou of the surplus
remaining in the treasury, it is evident that
if its distribution were accomplished another ac-
emulation would soon take its place if the con-
slant flow of redundant income not checked
at its source by reform in our present tariff
laws. We do not propose to deal with these con-
ditions by merely attempting to satisfy the peo-
Pile of the truth of abstract theories by alone
urging their assent TO political doctrine We pre-
sent to them the propositions that they are I'M
justly treated in the extent of present federal
taxation; that a result condition of extreme
danger exists, and it is for them to demand
remedy and that defense and safety
promised in the guarantees of their free
government We believe that the same
means which adopted to relieve the
treasury of its present surplus and prevent its
currence should cheaper to people the cost of
supplying their daily wants Both of these OBJ
jects seek in part to gain by reducing the pres
ent tariff rates upon the necessaries of life.
We fully appreciate the Importance to the coun-
try of our domestic Industrial enterprises In the
rectifcation of existing wrongs their maintenance
and prosperity should be carefully and in a
~
upon present reven lie arrangements as have been
invited or encouraged should be fairly and Justly
regarded. Abrupt and radical changes which
might endanger such enterprises, and injuriouSy
affect the interests of labor dependent upon their
success and continuance, are not contemplated or
intended. But we know the cost of our domestic
manufactured products is increased and their
price to the consumer enhanced by the duty i'm
posed upon the raw material used in their manu-
facture. We know that this increased cost pre-
vents the sale of our productions at foreign mar.
kets in competition with those countries which
have the advantage of free raw material We
know that, confined to home market, our manu-
featuring operations are curtaed. their demand
for labor irregular, and the rate of wages paid
uncertain, We propose, therefore, to stimulate
our domestic industrial enterprises by freeing
from duty the imported raw materials which by
the employers of labor used in our home man.
ufactures, thus extending the market for their
sale and permitting an increased an steady pro-
duction with the allowance of abundant profits
True TO the undertaking course of the Demo
cratic party will not neglect the interests Of
labor and our workingmen. IN all efforts to rem
edy existing evils we will furnish excuse for
the loss of employment the reduction of tn
wage of honest toll. On he contrary. we propose
in our adjustment of revenue laws to con-
cede such encouragement and advantage to EN-
ployers of domestic labor viii easily com
pensate for any difference which may exist be
tween the standard of wages which should be
paid to our laborng men an the rate allowed in
other countries. We propose too. by extending
the markets for our manufactures, TO promote
the steady employment of labor while by cheap
ening the cost of the neceSsaries of life we in
crease the purchasing power of the workingman's
wag and add to the comforts of his home
And, before passing from this phase of the
question, am constrained to express the opinion
that while the interests of labor should be always
sedulously regarded in any modification of our
tariff laws additional and direct and eff.
cient protection to these interests would be af-
forded by the restriction and prohibition of the
immigration importation of laborers from
other countries, who swarm upon our shore. hav-
ing purpose or intent of becoming our fellow
citizens or acquiring auy permanent interest in
our country, but who crowd every field of EN-
ployment with unnteligent labor at wages which
+ ought not TO satisfy those who make claim to
American citizenship
L..