Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-07-28
An Issue at last.

Chicago Times.
The candidate Of prodigiously respect
able ancestry is himself prodigiously re-
spectacle. He has respectable church
connection. He has respectable practice
as a railroad attorney. He has a respect.
able and respected home. His associate
is rich and respectable. II is almost pro-
fanation to speak of so much blue blood
and treasure Familiarity as Ben and the
Banker" Morton is the son Of a clergy
man. Cleveland is the son of clergy
man. Thurman is the son of clergyman.
Harrison is the great-grandson Of the
declaration Of independence. the grandson
of thirty days occupancy of the white
house. and the son Of personally I'M
distinguished Harrison. When the parties
are thus equipped with candidates OF
eminent responsibility discussion may
happily be diverted from personalities to
principles. Happily, too. there is no con-
cealment upon the one issue before the
electors of the country.
Mr. Cleyeland's candidacy represents
the desire of the country for reduced
tariff taxation. The effort has been made
by his opponents 10 represent him as the
advocate of free trade but his own mes
sage. TO which the pending Mills bill is as
hearty a response as could be had IN
congress Of many minds. is true defni-
ton Of his position. That message is the
keynote OF the campaign. Itssubstance.
tersely stated. Is that oyer-taxation is
producing treasury surplus inimical TO
the general welfare, and that to correct
this condition taxation should be reduced,
not by the abolition Of internal taxes,
which, being laid upon liquor and tobae.
co, are borne without hardship, but by
the enlargement of the free list at the
custom. houses end the revision Of our
present tariff laws, covering over four
thousand articles. some Of them of prime
necessity. The Presidents position Is
supported by an argument admirably
lucid. His message should be in the
hands of every elector who means intel.
ligently to cast his vote in the coming
presidential contest
Mr.. Harrison's candidacy represents the
desire Of the protects, co.9rdinates OF the
government in the matter Of taxation, to
maintain IL not 20 increase tariff taxation
now averaging AZ per cent -Four years
ago the Republican party pledged itself
10 the people TO correct the inequalities
Of the tariff. II will not now admit that
the tariff has any inequalities. IL is will.
ing that the internal tax on tobacco and
ON alcohol used in the arts shall be re-
moved. II the surplus continues Il de-
clares in favor OF the abolition OF the in
ternal revenue system rather than have
the tariff touched.
The Democratic position that taxation
shall be reduced is NOT c0mbated The
issue arises on the method of reduction.
The Democratic proposition is TO retain
the internal taxes and reduce the tariff.
The Republican proposition is 10 abolish
the internal taxes, that is the taxes ON
whisky and tobacco. and retain the tariff
taxes stated simply the question is.
| shall there be high tariff or low tariff;
7 heavy taxation on the neccssaTies and
1 comforts OF existence or light taxation
( shcrcong
How such an issue Is likely TO affect
/ thoughtful electors is limited in the pres
enl attitude OF Seth Low. formerly Mayor
1 of Brooklyn. who resigns his member
| ship In local Republican organization
/ because he cannot agree with the Repub'
| lican position on the tariff. II is seer
| also in the declaration OF George William
i Curtis that mo friend OF reduction oil
| the surplus by moderaiing the tariff ta'
| upon the necessarics OF life and raw
| materials could support General Harrison
/ unless he feared grave peril from the sue
cess Of Cleveland. This is an apprehen
/ klOns however WHICH, AaAhNMGh eANWe
and natural in 1884, has now disappeared
Mr.. Cleveland made his own platform 10
his message. and there has been nothing
! In his administration which has alarmed
the business interests % the country
General Harrison appears in the canvass
as the representative 81 high and htghe
protection aud Of free wins ky-@nd tobacc'
rather than Of lighter duty upon an!
class Of articles produced IN this country.
Except rs il bears upon the presen
contention the history Of parties ha
logically nothing 10 do with its settle
mpni. The question ought to be determ
incd upon its merits Electors who be
long 10 party will vote its ticket
Electors who are free and think TO
themselves have the true view OF parties
which are means 10 an end, and vii
select that instrument which will give
effect TO their conviction of what is bes
10 be done for the country.