Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1888-06-23
TARIFF RErol.s,.

aheStinS Ino occupAtlons OF the people
should he cautious and conservative in
method, not in advance of public opin-
ion, but responsive to its demands, the
Democratic party il pledged to revise
the tariff in spirit of fnirness to all i'm
terests. SILK.
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 Of
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 low must be at every
stop reRur:lful 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 taxation can
and must be effected without depriving
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 in
creased cost Of production which may
exit i'll 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 the Government. and indi-
rectly paid by the people from custom
duties. The question of free trade ia
not involved, nor is there now any &C.
casion for the general discussion of the
wisdom or expediency of q protective
system.
Justice and fairness dictate that in
any modification of our present lava
relating to revenue, the industries and
interests which have been encouraged
by such laws, and in which our citizens
have large investments, should not be
ruthlessly injured or destroyed. We
should also deal with the subject in
such manner AZ to protect the interest
of American labor, which is the capital
of our workingmen; its stability auo
proper remuneration furnish the most
justl6able pretext for protective poll
cS.
With these limitations certain re :
duction should be made in our customs
revenue. The amount Of such redu c.
lion having been determined, the in
quiry follows, where con it best be re-
niittsd and what articles can best be
released from duty, in the interest OF
our citizensp
I think the reduction should be made
In the revenue derived from tax upon
the imported necessaries of life. We
thus directly lessen the oost of living in
every family of the land, and release to
the people in every humble home @
larger measure of the rewards of fruga
industry President Cleveland's Mes
sage. Dec. 8, 1885.
Our progress toward a wise conclu
sion will not be improved by DWELLING
upon the theories of protection and fire,
trade. This sHvors too much of handy
ing epithets. It 10 n condition which
confronts us--not theory. Relief from
this condition may involve slight re
duction of the advantages which W,
award our home productions, but .th,
entire withdrawal of such advantages
should not be contemplated. Th,
question of free trade is absolutely ir
relevant; and the persistent claim mad
in certain quarters, that ell efforts t,
relieve the people from unjust and un
necessary taxation are schemes Of go
called free-traders, is mischievous mt
far removed from any consideration 70
She public good.
The simple and plain duty which W
owe the people is to reduce taxation +
the necessary expenses Of an economic
al operation OF the Government, and I