Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1888-06-29
TARIFF REFoHm.

Knowing full well, that legislation
affecting the occupations of the people
should be cautious and conservative in
method, not in advance of public opin-
ion, but responsive to it's demands, the
Democratic party is pledged to revise
the tariff in a spirit of fairness to all in
terests.
But in making reduction in taxes, it
is not proposed to injure any domestic
Industries. but rather to promote their
healthy growth. From the foundation
OF this Government, taxes collected ut
the Custom House have been the chief
source of federal revenue. Such they
must continue to be. Moreover, many
Industries have come to rely on legisla-
ton for successful continuance, SO
that any change of law must be at every
step regardful of the labor and capital
thus involved. The process of reform
must be subject in the execution to this
plain dictate of justice.
All taxation shall be limited to the re.
quirements of economical government.
The necessary reduction in taxntion can
and must be effected without depriying
American labor Of the ability to COM
pete successfully with foreign labor, and
without imposing lower rates of dut.
than will be ample to cover any i'll.
creased cost of production which may
exit in consequence of the higher rate
of wages prevailing in this country
National Democratic Platform, 1854.
The proposition with which we have
to deal is the reduction Of the revenue
received by tue Government, and indi-
rectIy puid by the people from custom
duties. The question of free trnde is
not involved, norris there now any oc-
casion for the general discussion of the
wisdom or expediency Of protective
system.
Justice and fairness dictate that in
any modification of our present laws
relating 10 revenue, the industries and
interests which have been encouraged
by such laws, and in which our citizens
huVe large inVeStn. ents, should not be
ruthlessly injured or destroyed. We
should also deal with the subject in
such manner AZ to protect tie interests
of American labor, which is The capital
of our workiDgmen; its stability and
proper remuneration furnish the most
justIiable preIext for n protective poll
cy.
With these limitations q certain re-
duction should be made in our customs
revenue. The amount of such reduc.
ton having been determined, the in.
quiIy foil, WIS, where can it best be re-
mittd aud what articles can best tie
Released from d'ty. in the interest OF
our citizens2
think the reduction should be made
in the revenue derived from Tux upon
the imported pecessuries of lie. We
thus directly lessen tho cost of living in
N'N'J nanny VI |Eo 'duu, uuu feICnSe 10
the people in every humble home h
larger measure of the rewards of frugal
industry Il President Clevelnud's Mes
sage, Dec. 8, 1885.
Our progress toward wise conclu-
sion will not be improved 10y dwelling
upon the theories of protection and free
| trade. This savors too much of handy.
! ing epithets. 1t is condition which
confronts us-not Ii theory. Relief from
this condition may involve slight re-
duction of the advantages which we
award our home productions, but the
| entire withdrawal of such advantages
should not be contemplated. The
| question of FRI trade is absolutely ir-
relevant; and the persistent claim made
in certain quarters, that all efforts to
relieve the people from unjust aud un-
necessary taxation are schemes of So
called reo-;raders, il mi4chievous and
far removed from any consideration for
tie public good.
The simple and plain duty which we
owe the people is to reduce taxation to
the necessary expenses of an economic.
nj operation of the Government, and tu
restore to the business OF the country