Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-09-22

proposing TO increase the duties upon
such articles TO nearly or quite prolib'
tory point they confess themselves will.
ing to travel backward in the road OF
civilization and TO deprive our people OF
the markets for their goods which can
be only gained and kept by the sem.
blance, at least, of an interchange Of
business, while they abandon our CON
sumers to the unrestrained oppression
of the domestic trusts and combinations
which are in the same platform perfume
torily condemned They propose fur
Their to release entirely from import dn-
ties all articles of foreign production
Except luxuries) the like of which can
not be produced in this country. The
plain people of the land and the poor,
who scarcely use articles of any descrip-
ton produced exclusively abroad and not
already free, will find it difficult TO dis
cover where their interests are regarded
homes cheaper domestic necessaries, and
this seems to be entirely unproyided for
in this proposed scheme to serve the
country. Small compensation for this
neglected need is found in the further
purpose here announced and covered by
the declaration that if, after the changes
already mentioned there still remains a
larger revenue than is requisite for the
wants of the government, the entire in
ternal taxation should be repealed
hrather than surrender any part of our
protective system" Our people ask re-
lief from the undue and unnecessary
burden of tariff taxation now resting
upon them. They are offered free to-
bacco and free whisky. They ask for
bread and they are given a stone. The
| implication contained in this party
declaration that desperate measures are
justified or necessary to save from de-
Btruction or surrender what is termed
| our protective system" should con-
1 fuse no one. The existence of such a
system is entirely consistent with the
| regulation OF the extent TO which it is to
be applied and the correction of its
abuses. OF course, in a country as great
rs this, with such a wonderful variety Of
interests. often leading in entirely diff
ferent directions, it is difficult, if not
impossible, to settle upon perfect tariff
plan. But in accomplishing the reform
We have entered upon, the necessity OF
| which is so obvious, i believe we
should not be content with reduction
of revenue involving the prohibition
| of importations and the removal of the
internal tax upon whisky. 1t can be
better and more safely done within the
| lines of granting actual relief to the peo-
pie in their means of living, and at the
same time giving an impetus to our do
nestle enterprises and furthering ON
national welfare. If Misrepresentation
of our purposes and motives are to gain
credence and defeat our present effort
in this direction there seems to be nc
reason why every endeayor in the future
10 accomplish revenue reform should
not be likewise attacked and with like
result.
And yet no thoughtful man can fail to
see in the continuance of the present
burdens of the people and the abstrac
ton 10y the government of the currency
OF the country, inevitable distress and
disaster. All the danger viii be averted
by timely action. The difficulty of APP
plying the remedy will never be les,
and the blame should not be laid at the
door Of the democratic party if it is ap
piled too late.
With firm faith in the intelligence and
patriotism, and relying upon the conyic'
ton that misrepresentation will not in.
fluence them, prejudice will not cloud
their understanding and that menace
will not intimidate them, let us urge
the peoples interests and public duty
for the vindication of our attempt TO in
augurate righteous and beneficent re-
form. GROVER CLEVELAND.