San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-03-02
MILLS VERSUS DEMOCRACY.

| MILLS VERSUS DEmOCHACr.
The New Orleans Times Democrat is
good live example OF the best type OF
democratic paper. 1t Is modern IN
feeling and moderate In tone, save when
| 1t strikes the color line. 1t Is fast for
getting the martyrdom Of Jefferson
Davis ard is learning to spell nation
with big N. 1t is progressive, and
stands for all that makes for the very
best economic and industrial Interests
OF Its section. Its utterances on the
proposed tariff amendment are there
fore pertinent and may be profitably
quoted In extenso as showing how that
measure is regarded within the bosom
OF the great democratic household.
The Times-Democrat in its leader Of
Wednesday says:
Louisiana does not fare well In Mr..
Mills tariff bill; perhaps no state In the
Union will be affected so seriously BY
IL. There Is scarcely one Of Its leading
industries but will be cut by the provi-
siOns OF the measure which the gentle
man from Texas wishes to pass. The
agricultural interests will be affected by
a much lower duty on sugar and rice, a
duty which would have cut down last
years crop 81, 1888, SIS; the only mineral
interest OF the state, salt, will be badly
crippled II not destroyed by putting that
article on the free list; while the new
manufacturing industry, lumber, will
suffer but In less degree. Louisiana
lumber, and particularly cypress, has
latterly been shipped north In large
quantities. The abolition OF the duty,
which will bring Canadian lumber into
the northern and western markets In
more active competition, will affect our
home product, but not seriously. The
other cuts will be of greater Importance,
and will make Louisiana's contribution
to the new bill some $4,000. 900 year, a
rather heavy pull for state which has
had many burdens to bear of late-much
more than any Of its sisters has to bear.
No other state In the Union will be az
fected half this amount, yet we are told
by Mr.. Mills that Ii Is democratic
measure, and II Louisiana does not like
his peculiar style Of democracy, ii can
60 over to the republicans"
This situation Of affairs is by no means
palatable to the Louisiana democracy,
who do not propose to see their indus
tries thus ruthlessly slaughtered and
their state Disseminated against; Meth
er do they propose to be thrust into the
republican ranks so unceremoniOusly.
The representations OF the Tlmes-Dem-
ocrat will not be needed by Miles but
such criticism upon the nature and ten
dency OF the proposed free trade legisla-
ton In congress will cause thoughtful
democrats to pause before committing
the party to such q measure. and the
country to such apolicy. The democracy
Of Louisiana do not propose to submit
tamely 10 such Determinations and they
throw the gauntlet down Ia the very
face OF this democratic congress that
will cause movement Of alarm among
those who are intelligently alive to the
fact that the record Of this congress up
on tariff questions must be faced upon
the stump during this pending CAM
paign. The Times-Democrat very per-
tinently reminds the democratic major
ity in congress that the national conven-
tiOn has made certain pledges upon this
matter of tariff revision. 10 the demo-
cratic platform adopted at Chicago July
10, 1884, the democracy put itself upon
record declaring that:
"In making reduction 10 taxes 1t is
not proposed to injure any domestic in
dustries, but rather to promote their
healthy growth. From the foundation of
the government taxes collected at the
custom house have been the chief source
OF federal revenue; such they must con.
tinue. Moreover, many industries have
come TO rely upon legislation for sue
cessful continuance, so that any change
OF law must, st every step, be regardful
OF the labor and capital thus involved.
The process of reform must be subject
in its execution to the plain dictate of
justice. All taxation shall be limited to
the requirements Of the government
economically administered. The neces-
ssry reduction In taxation can and must
be effected without depriving American
labor OF the ability to compete success
fully with foreign labor, and without i'm
posing lower rates OF duty than will be
ample to cover an increased cost of pro-
duction, which may exist In oonse-
quence OF the higher rate of wages in
this country.
To this plank in the national demo-
cratic platform Of 1884 as to plain de-
cree Of the democratic party, the Times.
Democrat appeals on behalf of the LouI-
siana democracy. against the discrimi-
nations OF the Mills tariff bill. 1t may
be interesting for republican spectator
to note the progress OF this movement
within the democratic ranks. This
plain charge Of a violation OF a national
pledge cannot be whistled down the
wind. How can the party in 1888 20
before the country with any confidence
appealing to democratic votes and voters
for support when their unredeemed and
violated pledges to the members of their
own party stare them in the face. II
the loyal adherents and firm apologists
and supporters Of the democratic party
make such charges against its leaders In
congress and by implication against
Its head who sits In the presidential
chair, what may not be expected Of those
who make it business to aDtagonize
the principles and practices of the demo-
cratic party3 The situation is decidedly
interesting and, Mills and Grover versus
the democracy, may yet form very in
teresting chapter of democratic history
DR.. Weathers,