Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-09-13


ocrauc party we VIII not neglect the inter-
ests OF labor and our workingmen. In all
efforts TO remedy existing evils we will fur
nish no excuse for the loss Of employment
or the reduction of the wages of honest toll
On the contrary. we propose in any adjust
ment OF our revenue laws, to concede such
encouragement and advantage to the en-
ployers of domestic labor as win easily COM
pensate for any 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 ex-
tending the markets for our manufacturers to
promote the steady employment of labor. while
by cheapening the cost of the necessaries of
life we increase the purchasing power of the
workingman's wages and adds to the comforts
Of his home.
And before passing from this phase of the
question 1 am constrained to express the
opinion that while the interests of labor
should be always sedulously regarded in any
modification of our tariff laws an additional
and more direct and efficient protection to
those interests would be afforded by the re-
striction and prohibition Of the immigration
or importation Of Ia orers from other coun-
tries, who swarm upon our shores having no
purpose or intent Of becoming our fellow citi-
Gems or acquiring any permanent interest in
our country, but who crowd every field OF en-
ployment with unintelligent 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 are betrayed when
by unnecessary taxation trusts and combina-
tions are permitted and fostered, which, while
unduly enriching the few that combine, rob the
body OF our citizens by depriving them as
purchasers OF the benefits Of ma ural competi-
ton." Such combinations have always been
condemned by the Democratic party. The
declaration Of its National convention is sin
cerely made, and no member of our party win be
found excusing the existence or belittling the
pernicious results of those devices to wrong the
people. Under various names they have been
punished by the common law for hundreds Of
years, and they have lost none of their hateful
features because they have assumed the name
of trusts instead of conspiracies. We believe
that these trusts are the natural offspring of a
market artiically restricted, that an inordi-
nately high tariff, beside furnishing the tempta-
ton for their existence, enlarges the limit
within which they may operate against the peo-
pie, and thus increases the extent Of their
power for wrong doing. With an unalterable
hatred OF all such schemes, we count the check
ing Of their baleful operations among the good
results promised by revenue reform.
While we can not avoid partisan misrepre-
sentation our position upon the question Of
revenue reform should be so plainly stated as
to admit of no misunderstanding. We have
entered upon no crusade OF free trade. The re-
form we seek to inaugurate is predicated upon
the utmost care for established industries and
enterprises, Jealous regard for the interests Of
American labor and a sincere desire to relieve
the country from the injustice and damages of
condition which threatens evil to all the
people Of the land. We are dealing with
no imaginary danger Its existence has
been repeatedly confessed by all
political parties and pledges of a remedy have
been made on all sides. Yet when in tn legis-
lative body where under the constitution all
remedial measures applicable to this subject
must originate the Democratic majority were
attempting with extreme moderation to redeem
the pledge common to both parties they were
met by determined opposition and obstruction,
and the minority refusing to cooperate in the
House OF Representatives, or propose another
remedy, have RENTED 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 leg slative action
to meet in political convention and fippantly
declare in their party platform that our con-
sentative and careful effort to relieve the
situation is destructive to the American system
Of prote ction. Nor will the people be misled by
the appeal to prejudice contained in the absurd
allegation that We serve the interest of Europe
while they will support the interests of America.
They propose in their platform to thus support
the interests of our country by removing the in
ternal revenue tax from tobacco and spirits
used in the arts and for mechanical purposes.
They declare also that there should be such
revision OF our tariff laws as shall tend to check
the importation of such articles as are produced
here.
Thus in proposing to increase the duties upon
such articles to nearly or quite prohibitory
point they confess themselves willing to travel
backwards in the road Of civilization and to de-
prive the people of the markets for their goods,
which can only be gained and kept by the SEM
blance at least of an interchange Of business,
while they abandon our consumers to the un-
restrained oppression of the domestic trusts
and combinations which are in the same plat
form perfunctorily ondemned.
They propose further to release entirely from
import duties 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 description produced exclusively abroad
and not already free, Will not find it difficult to
discover whether their interests are regarded
in this proposition. They need IN their homes
cheaper domestic necessaries and this seems to
he entirely unprovided for in this proposed
scheme Il; 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
q larger revenue than is requisite for the wants
of the Government, the entire internal taxation
should be repealed rather than surrender any
part of our protective system " Our people ask
relief from the undue and unnecessary burden of
tariff taxation now resting upon them. They
are offered free tobacco and free whisky. They
ask for bread and they are given stone. The
implication contained IN this party declaration,
that desperate measures are justified or neces-
sary to save from destruction or sarren,
der what is termed our protective system,
should confuse no one The existence OF such
a system is entirely consistent With the regula-
ton of the extent to which it should be applied
and the correction of its abuses.
OF course in a country as great as ours, with
such variety of interests often leading in en-
tirely different directions, it is difficult II not
impossible to settle upon perfect tariff plan.
But In accomplishing the reform we have en-
tered upon, the necessity OF which is so obvious,
believe we should not be content with re-
duction of revenue involving the prohibition
of importations and the removal Of the
internal tax upon whisky. It can DO
better and more safely done within the lines
of granting actual relief to the people in their
means of living and at the same time giving an
inpetus to our domestic enterprises and furth-
erine our Rational welfare. If misrepresenta-
lions of our purpcses and motives. are to gain
credence and defeat o.. present enort Ii
this direction, there seems 10 no
reason why every endeavor In tno
future to accomplish revenue reform should nos
DC likewise attacked and with like results. And
yet no thoughtful man can fail to see in the con-
tinuance Of the present burden Of the people
and the abstraction by the Government of
the currency Of the country inevitable dis
tress and disaster. All danger will be ayerted
by timely action. The difficulty will be
applying the remedy will never be less and the