The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-10

While such efforts should be made as are con-
sistent with public duty and sanctioned by
sound judgment to avoid danger by the useful
disposition of the surplus now remaining IN the
treasury, IL Is evident that II its distribution
were accomplished another accumulation would
soon take its place IL the constant how OF re-
duudant income was not checked at its source
by reform in our present tariff laws We do
not propose to deal with these conditions oy
merely attempting to satisfy the people OF the
truth of abstract theories. nor by alone urging
their assent to political doctrine. We present
to them the proposition that they
are upjustly treated ia the extent of
present federal taxation; that as result
condition Of extreme danger exists, and tnat III
is for them to demand remedy. and that de.
Tense and safety promised in the guarantees OF
same means which are adopted to relieve the
treasury Of its present surplus and prevent It's
recurrence. should cheaper to our people the
cost Of supplying their daily wants. Both or
these objects we seek in part TO gain by rednc-
ing the present tariff rate upon the necessaries
of life.
1--WE fully appreciate the importance to the
country Of our domestic Industrial enterprises
In the rectifcation of existing wrongs their
maintenance and prosperity should be carefully
and in friendly spirit considered. Even such
reliance upon present revenue arrangements as
have been invited or encouraged should be fair
ly and justly regarded. Abrupt and radical
changes which might endsngsr such snterprises:
labor dependent upon their success
and continuance. are not contemplated or
intended. But We know the cost OF our domes-
tic manufactured products 10 Increased and
their price TO the consumer enhanced by the duty
imposed upon the raw material used IN their man
ufacture. We know that this increased cost
prsvents the sale OF our productions at foreign
markets in competition with those countries
which have the advantage Of free raw material
We know that, confined TO a home market our
manufacturing operations are curtailod, and
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 employ ment OF labor, are used in
our home manufactures, thus extending the
markets for their sale and permitting an in
crease aud steady production, with the allow
a3ce of abundant profits
True to the underwriting course of the Demo
cratic party. we will not neglect the interest OF
labor AID our workingmen In all the efforts TO
remedy existing evils We will furnish no excuse
for the loss Of employment or the reduction OF
the wage of honest toll. On the contrary,
propose, in any adjustment OF our revenue laws,
10 conceds such announcement and advantage
to the employers of domestic labor as will easily
compensate for my difference that may exist be-
tween the standard OF wages which should be
paid TO our laboring men and the rate allowed
In other countries. We propose. too. by extend
ing the markets for our manufacture 10 promote
the steady employ ment of labor. while, by
cheapening the cost OF The necessaries OF life
we increase the purchasing power OF the work
ingman's wages and add 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 selalously regarded Ia any modification
OF our tariff laws, additional and more direct
and efficient protection to those interests wo MD
be afforded by the restriction and prohibition OF
the i'm migration or importation of laborers from
other countries. who swarm upon our shores,
havine no purpose or intent Of becoming our
feiow-citizens or acquiring any permanent
interest 10 our country. but who crowd every
field OF employment with uninteligent labor at
wages which ought not to satisfy those who
make claim to American citizenship.
The platform adopted by the late national
convention OF our party contains the following
declaration:
Judged by Democratic principles the interests of
the people betrayed when. by unnecessary taxa
ton, trusts and combinations permitted and tos
tered. which, while unduly enrching the few that
combine, rob the body OF our citizens by depriviug
them purchasers OF the benefits o. natural eompe
ti:ion.
H''Such combinations have always been con-
demned by the DemocIatic party. The declara-
tion OF ITS national convention is sincerely made,
and no membe OF our party will be found ex-
cusing the existence or belittling the pernlcious
results Of these devices 10 wrong the people.
Under various names they have bsen punished
by the com mon law for hundreds of wears, and
they have lost none of their hateful features be-
cause they have assumed the name of trusts in-
stead of couspiracles. We believe that thess
trusts are the natural offspring Of market Arti-
fcially restricted; that inordiuately high
tariff besides furnishing the temptation for
their existence. erlarges the limit within which
tiey may opeeats against the people and thus
increases the extent Of their power tor wrong
doing. With an uralterable hatred Of all such
schemes. We count the checking Of their baleful
operations among the good results promised by
revenue reform.
While we canno, avoid partisan misrepre-
sentation, our position upon the question Of rev.
enue reform sDonld be so plainly stated as to
admit of misunderstanding. We have en-
tered upon crusade of free trade. The
form we seek TO inaueurate is predicatsd upon
the utmost care for established industries and
enterprises, jealous regard for the interests Of
American labor. and sincere desire to relieve
the country from the injustice and danger of
condition which threatens evil to all tho people
OF the land. We are dealing with no imaginary
danger. Its existence has been repeatedly con-
fessed by all political parties, and pledges of
remedy have been made on all sides. Yet
when. in the legis sative body where, un-
DER the Constitution, ali remedsal meas
ures applicable to this subject must originate,
the Democratic majority were attempting with
extreme moderation TO redeem the pledge COM
mon to both parties, they were met by deter
mined opposition and obstruction: and the
minority, refusing to CO operate in the House OF
have remiited the redemption OF their party
pledge TO the doubtful power of the Senate.
The people Will hardly be deceived by their
abandonment of the field of legislative action to
meet In political convention and 1ippantly de-
clare in their party platform that conserva-
tive and careful effort TO relieve the situation is
destructive to the American system OF protec-
tion. Nor will the people be misled by the
peal to prejudice contained in the absurd alesa-
tion that We serve the interests of Europe while
they will support the interests of America.
They propose in their platform to thus
support the interests OF our country by remov-
ing the internal revenue tax from tobacco and
from spirits used in the arts and for mechanical
purposes. They declare, also. that there should
be such a revision of our tariff laws as shall
are produced here. Thus, in proposing to in-
crease the duties upon such articles to nearly or
quite prohibtory point, .hey confess them
selves willing TO travel backward in the road of
civilization and to deprive our people OF the
markets for their goods which can only be gained
and kept by the semblance, at least, of an inter-
change in business, while they abandon our con-
sumers to the unrestrained oppression Of the
domestic trusts and combinations which are, in
the same platform. perfun ctorly, condemned.
They propose, further, TO release entirely from
import duties all articles OF foreign production
Except luxuries) the like OF which
not be produced 10 this coun-
try. The plain people OF the
land, and the poor, who scarcely use rticles OF
any description produced exclusively abroad and
not already free, will find it difficult discover
where their interests are regarded in this propo-
sition. They need in their homes cheaper
domestic necessaries, and this seems to be en-
n o6 frp in Ad aph rnA IN