Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-09-14


our revenue laws to cOncede such encourage
ment and advantage to employers of domes-
tic labor as will easily compensate for any
difference that may exist between the standard
Of wages which should be paid to our labor
ing men and the rate allowed in other coun-
tries. We propose, too, by extending the
for our manu- facturers to promote
the steady employment of labor, while by
cheapening the cost of the necessaries of life
we increase the purchasing power Of the
workingman's wages and add to the comforts
of his home.
And before passing from this phase of the
question am constrained TO express the opin-
ion that while the interests of labor should
be always sedulously regarded in any mod
fcation of our tariff laws, an additional and
more direct and efficient protection 10 these
interests would be afforded by the restriction
and prohibition o. the immigration or impor-
tation Of laborers from other countries, who
swarm upon our shores, having no purpose
or intent of becoming our fellow -citizens or
acquiring any permanent interest in our couu-
TRY, but who crowd every field of employ
ment with unintelligent labor at wages which
ought not 10 satisfy those who make claim to
American citizenship.
TRUSTS AND COMBINATIONS.
The platform adopted by the late National
Convention of our party contains the follow
ing decl aration; Judged by Democrats
principles the interests of the people are be-
trayed when by unnecessary taxation trusts
and combinations are permitted and fostercd,
which, while unduly enriching the few that
combine, rob the body of our citizens by de-
priving them as purchasers of the benefits of
natural competition"
Such combinations have always been con
demned by the Democratic party. The de-
ciaration of its National Convention il sim
cerely made, and no member of our party
will be found excusing the existence or belit-
Ting the pernicious results of these devices
to wrong the people. Under various names
they have been punished by the common law
for hundreds OF years and they have lost
none OF their hateful features because they
have assumed the name OF trusts instead of
couspiricies.
We believe that these trusts are the natural
offspring oil a market artiicially restricted
that an inordina:ely high tariff besides fur
nishing the temptation for their existence, en-
larges the limit within which they operate
against the people, and thus increases the ex-
tent Of their power for wrong doing
With an unal,erable hatred OF all such
schemes we count the checking OF their bale
full operations among the good results pro-
missed by revenue reform.
While we cannot avoid partisan misrepre-
sentation, our position upon the question of
revenue reform should be so plainly stated a.
TO admit OF no Misunderstanding.
We have entered upon no crusade of free
trade The reform we seek to inaugurate is
predicated upon the utmost care for establish
cd industries and enterprises, Jealous re-
gard for the interests OF American labor and
II sincere desire to relieve the country from
the INJUSTICE and danger of Il condition which
evil to all the people of he land. d
We are dealing with no imaginary danger.
Its existence has been repeatedly confessed by
all political parti's aud pledges Of a remedy
have been m ide ON all sides
Yet, when in e legislative body, where
under the Constitution all remedial measures
applicable to this subject must originate, the
Democratic majority were attempting with
extreme moderation 10 redeem the pledge com.
mon to both parties, they were met by deter
mined opposition and obstruction and the
refusing to cooperate in the Hou Sc
OF representatives, or propose another rene
dy, have RENTED the redemption of their
pledge to the doubtful power of the Senate
The people will hardly be deceived by their
of the field of legislative action
to meet in political convention and fippantly
declare in their party platform that our con
sentative and careful effort to relieve the sit.
uation is destructive to the American system
of protection. Nor will the people be misled
by die appeal to prejudice contaired in the
absurd allegation that we serve the interests
of Europe, while they will support the in ter
ests of America
They propose in their platform to thus sup
port the interests OF our country by remoy-
ing the internal revenue tax from tobacco and
from spirits used in the arts and for mechan-
ical purposes. They declare also that there
should be such revision of our tariff laws ms
shall tend to check the Importation of such
articles as are produced here Thus in pro-
posing to Increase the duties upon such arti.
cles to nearly or quite prohibitory point,
they confess themselves willing to travel back
ward in the road OF civilization and to depriy,
our people of the markets for their goods,
which can only be gained and kept by the
at least, of an interchange OF bu-
'iness, while they abandon our consu mers to
the unrestrained oppression of the domestic
trusts and combinations which are in the
same platform periunctorily condemned.
THE INTERNAL REVENUE TAX.
They propose further to release entirely
rom import duties all articles of foreign pro-
iuction (except luxuries) the like Of which
,annot be produced in this country The
carcey use articles of any description pro-
iuced exclusively abroad and not already
rec, will find it difficult to discover wbere
heir interests are regarded in this proposition
They need in their homes cheaper domestic
lecessaries; and this seems to be entirely nm
provided for in this proposed scheme TO serve
he country
Small compensation for this neglected need
$ found in the further purpose here announc-
d and covered by the declaration, that il
liter the changes already mentioned there
Till remains II larger revenue than is requi-
lite for the wants of the government, the en-
ire internal taxation should be repealed
rather than surrender any part OF our pro-
ective system"
Our people ask relief from the undue and
burden of taxation now resting
pom them. They are offered insleai-free
obacco and free whiskey. They ask for
read and thev are given stone.
The implication contained in this party de-
laraiion tn II desperate measures are justified
II necessary 10 save from destru ction or sur
ender what is termed our protective ystem.
hould confuse no one. The existence of such
system is entirely consistent with the regu-
alton of the extent 10 which it should be ap-
lied and the correction of its abuses
OF course, in country as great as ours,
tti suCu II VI interests. |
ften leading in entirely different directions. |
is difficult il not impossible 10 settle upon |
perfect tariff plan. But in accomplishing
he reform we have entered upon, the necessi- |
of which is so obvious, believe we should |
OF be content with reduction OF revenue
lvolvias the prohibition ofimportations and
he removal OF the internal tax upon whiskey.
eau be better and more safely done within
lie lines of granting actual relief to the peo-
e in their means of living, aud at the same
me giving an impetus TO our domestic eu-
rprises and furthering our national welfare
Ii Misrepresentation OF our purposes and
olives are to gain credence and defeat our
esent effort in this direction, iher, seems to
no reason why every endeavor in the fu-
re to accomplish revenue reform should not
likewise attacked and with like results.
And yet no thoughtful man can fail to see
the continuance of the present burdens of
e people aud the abstraction by the govern
cut of the currency of the country, inevita-
e distress and disaster. All danger will be