The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-07
TIE DEMOCRATIC pLA1FORM.

After twenty-four hours of earnest cog
itation and debate the Committee on Plat.
form OF the st. Louis Convention has
agreed upon report which Mr.. Henry
Wattcrson, the chairman OF the commit
tee, says will "renew our fidelity TO Dem
ocratic principles, reailirn the platform Of
1884, indorsc the last annual Message Of the
President and declare ii 10 be u correct in
depreciation of tho platform, approving at
the same time the efforts of the Demo
cratic Representatives in Congress to
secure reduced taxation" To this
will be appended separate resolu-
ton commanding the Mills bill and
urging its passage. This mixture is
the result OF compromise between Senator
Gorman, representing a mere handful Of
protectionists, on the one hand, and Mr.
WatteBon, representing the vast majority
OF the Democrats Of the country, on the
other. II Is n compromise much 10 be re-
GREETED, because il is likely to be rs "con-
fusion worse COMPOUNDED" to the average
man, while fairly interpreted, il means
that what the President said in his now
historic Message, where IL conflicts with
the tariff plank Of the platform Of 1884,
must 10 taken TO supcrccdo il altogether.
The plank Of 1884 says:
The Democracy pledges itself IN purify tho adj.
minitiraton from corruption. 10 restore economy,
10 revive respect Tor tho law aud 10 reduce taxation
10 me iono limit consistent with due regard 20 the
preservation Of the faith Of the nation 10 H. cred.
itor aud pensioners. Knowing fun we'll however.
that legislation affecting the operations Of the poo
pie shouldbc cautious and conservative IN method,
not In advance of public opinion. but responsive
To It's demands the Democratic party IA pledged IN
revise the nrn IN spirit Of fairness To all Inter.
esis Tut In making reduction In taxes Il Is not
proposed To inJurc any domestic Industries, but
rather u promote their healthy growth. From the
foundation oi the Government taxes collected at
the custom house have been the chief source Of
fcdcral revenue. Such thcy must continue 10 be
Moreover many Industries have come 10 rely upon
legislation for successful continuance ~ that any
change OF law must DO nj every step rcgnrlful Of
NhV hppI hhu thplhl mus involved. The process |
OF the inform must be subject In the execution 10
this plain dictate Of Justice turaiion shall h, |
tmhoi 10 M rcYHircmcas NJ economical gorcrHmsnL
The necessary reduction In taxation eau and must |
he cfccicd without dcprlying American labor of |
the ability Ia compete successfully with foreign |
labor, aud without imposing lower rates of duty |
ihnn viii be ample 10 cover any incrcnscd |
root OF production which may exist ia |
consequence of the higher rate Of WAGES |
prevailing In this country. Sufficient revenue /
10 pay MI hc oJpopss of ne Io,ierui Gorrnmen |
economically odn iHfaurh, including pensions, In. |
e'csi and principal Of The public debt can he got
Under our present system u taxation from custom.
house. taxes ON lower Imported articles. bearing |
heaviest on articles oflnrury aud bearing lighicst
'n articles Of ncccssity. We, therefore dcnounco
he abuses Of the existing int, and subject IN the
nrccchng limitations We demand that Ftdcrnl |
aNaiion shall be exclusively for public purposes.
ND s'aH Hoi egco"i me- mods u nc GotuHmHi 90.
iomioulv administered