The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-11

uDllicobC u5tIldi enterprises DIV treelng from
! duty the imported raw materials which, by
| the en- loynent Of labor, are used III our home
| manufactures, thus rendering the markets and
| permitting an increased and steady production
| with the allowance OF abundant profits.
| True to the undertaking course of the demo-
! cratic party, we will not neglect the
| INTERESTS or LABOR AND OUR woRKrSGMES.
| In all efforts to remedy the existing evils,
| we will furnish no excuse for the loss of en-
| ployment or the reduction of the wage Of hon.
| est toll. On the contrary we propose in any
| adjustment of our revenue laws to concede
| such encouragement and advantage to the en-
| ployers of domestic labor as will easily COM
| pengate 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,
| Willie by cheapening the cost of the necessa-
ries of life, We increase the purchasing power
| OF the workingnlans wages and add to 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 sedulously regarded in any modifca-
ton Of our tariff laws, additional and more
direct and efficient protection to these interests
would be afforded by the
RESTRICTION AND PROHIBITION OF IMMIGRA-
or importation Of laborers from other countries,
who swarm upon our shores, havingn purpose
or intent of becoming our fellow citizens, nor
permanent interest in our country but 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 nat lateional
convention Of our party contains the following
declaration:
Judged by democratic principles the interests of
the people are betrayed when unnecessary taxation
trusts and combinations are permitted and fostered
which, while unduly enriching the few that COM
/ bine rob the body of our citizens by deprivlng
them. as purchasers of the benefits of natural COM
petition.
Such combinations have always been con-
demned by the democratic party. The de-
claration of its national convention is sin
cerely made, and no member of our party will
be found excusing the existence, or belittling
the perniciouS results of these
DEVICES TO WRONG THE PEOPLE.
Under various names they have been pun
ished 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
market artifcially restricted; that an inordi-
nately high tariff, besides furnishing tempta-
ton for their existence, enlarges the limit
Within which they may operate against the
people, and thus increases the extent of their
power for wrong doing. With unalterable
hatred of all tuch schemes,we count the check
ing af their baleful operations among the good
results promised Dy revenue reform.
While we cannot 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 reform we we seek to inaugurate is
predicated up on the utmost care for the estab-
lished industries and enterprises. jealous re-
gard for the interests of American labor and
the sincere desire to relieve the country from
ttaas v~Fio aD,,I 6
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 remedy
have been made on all sides.
Yet, when in q legislative body, where under
the constitution all remedial measures applica-
bic to this subject must originate, the demo-
cratic 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 repre-
sentatives or propose another remedy, have
RENTED the redemption of their party pledge
to the doubtful power of the senate
Tho people will hardly be deceived by their
abandonment of the field of legislation to meet
in political convention and hippantly declare
in their party platform that this conservative
and careful effort to relieve the situation is
DESTRUCTIVE TO THE AMERICAN SYSTEM
of protection. Nor will the people be misled
by an appeal to prejudice contained in the
absurd allegation that we serve the interests
of Europe, while they will support the in
terests of America. They propose in their
platform to thus support the interests of our
country by removing the internal revenue tax
from tobacco and from pirits used in the arts
and for mechanical purposes They declare
also that there should be such a revision of
our tariff laws as shall tend to check the i'm
portation of such artic les as are produced
here. Thus, in proposing to increase the du-
ties on such articles to nearly or quite the
prohibitory point, they confess themselves
willing TO travel backwards 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
INTERCHANGE OF BUSINESS.
While they abandon our consumers to the
gnrestrained oppression of domestic trusts and
combinations which are in the same platform,
perfunctorily condemned.
They propose further, to release entirely from
import duties all foreign production (except
luXuries) the like of which can not be pro-
dueed III this country. The plain people of
the land and the poor, who scarcely use arti-
cies of any description produced exclusively
abroad and not already free, will find it
difficult to discover where their inter-
ests are benefited in this proposition They
need III their homes cheaper domestic neces-
aries and this seemst be entirely unprovided
for In this proposed scheme to serve the coun-
try. Small compensation for this NEGLECTED
need is foun in the further purpose here an
n0unCcO ana covered by the declaration, that
If after he changes already mentioned there
still RENAL us 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 sys-
tenn. !"
Our people ask relief from the undue and
unnecessary burden OF tariff taxation now
resting upon them. They are offered instead
FRIE TOBACCO AND FREE WHISKY.
They ask for bread and they are given q
stone.
The implication contained in this party dec
laration that desperate measures are justified
or necessary to save from destruction or sur-
render what is termed our protective system
should confuse no one. The existence of such
q system is entirely consistent with the rea,lla-
tion of extent 70 which il should be applied.
and correction of its abuses. OF course in a
country rs large rs ours, with such wonderful
variety Of interests, often leading in entirely
different direction it is difficult if not impossi-
bic TO settle upon perfect tariff plan.
But in accomplishing the reform we have
entered upon the necessity which is obvious
boleyewe should not be content with the
reduction Of revenue involving the prohibition
of importations and the removal of the inter-
nal tax upon whisky, 1t can be better and
more safely done within the lines Of Grant.
D y - -.