The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-09-14

constrained to express The opinion, that
while the interests of labor should be a.
ways sedulously regarded in any modln,
cation of our tariff laws, an additional
and more direct and efficient protection
to these interests would be Afforded oy
the restriction and prohibition OF the I'M
migration or importation Of aborers
from other countries, who swarm upon
our shores, having no purpose or intent
Of becoming our fellow citizens, or ac-
curing any permanent interest IN gu
country, but who crowd every nelo OF
employment with unintelltgent AZ
wages which ought not to satisfy those
who make claim to American Citizen
The platform adopted by the late IA
1tonal convention Of our party contains
the following declarations: Judged by
Democratic principles the interests OF the
people are betrayed when by unnecessary
taxation trusts and combinations are
permitted and fostered which while I'M
dulv enrichinR the few that combine, rob
the body of our citizens by depriving
them as purchasers Of the benefits of nat
ural competition"
Such combinations have always been
condemned by the Democratic party.
The declaration Of its national conven-
ton ia sincerely made, and no member Of
our party will be found excusfng the ex-
istence or belittling the pernicious re-
suits of these devices to wrong the peo-
pie. 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 q market artidcially
restricted; that an Unfortunately high tar
if besides furnishing the temptation for
their existence, enlarges the limit within
which they may operate against b peo-
pie, and thus increases the extent of
their power for wrong doing. With an
unalterable hatred of all such schemes
We count the checking of their baleful
operations among the good results prom
Used by revenue reform. While we can
not avoid partisan misrepresentation our
position upon the question of revenue re-
form should be SO plainly stated as to
admit of no misunderstanding.
We have entered upon no crusade of
tree trade. The reform we seek to in
augurate is predicated upon the utmost
care for established industries and enter
prises, a jealous regard for the interests
of American labor and q sincere desire to
relieve the country from the injustice
and danger of q condition which threat
ems evil to all the people Of the land.
We are dealing with no imaginary
danger. It's existence has been repeat
eddy confessed by all political parties,
and pledges of a remedy have been made
on all sides. Yet, when in the legislative
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 COM
mon to both parties, they were met by
determined opposition and obstruction;
and, the minority refusing to cooperate
in the house Of representatives or pro-
pose 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 legis-
lative action to meet in political conven-
ton and hippantly declare in their party
platform that our conservative and care
full effort to relieve the situation is de-
structive to the American system of pro-
lection. Nor will the people be misled
by the appeal to prejudice contained in
the absurd allegation that we serve the
interests Of Europe, while they will sup
port the interests Of America.
They propose in their platform to thus
support the interests Of u country by
removing the internal revenue tax from
tobacco and from spirits used in the arts
and for mechanical purposes. They de-
clare also that there should be such a
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 a prohibitory point,
they confess themselves willing to travel
backward in the road of civilization and
to deprive our people of the markets for
their goods, which a only be gained
and kept by the semblance, at least, of
an interchange Of business, while they
abandon u consumers TO the unre-
strained oppression of the domestic
trusts and combinations which are in
the same platform perfunctorily con-
demned. They propose further to re-
lease entirely from import duties all
articles Of foreign production Except
%luxuries) the like Of which cannot be
produced in this country. The plain
pNOHAO VA WIG x0uu dnO VA0 OOUT. WuO
scarcely use articles of any description
produced exclusively abroad and not al
ready free, will find it difficult to dis
cover where their interests are regarded
In this proposition. They need in their
homes cheaper domestic necessaries; and
this seems to be entirely unprovided 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
larger revenue than is requisite for the
WantsOf tho government, the entire in
ternal taxation should be repealed
rather than surrender any part of our
protective system"
Our people ask relief from the undue
unnecessary burden Of tariff taxation
now resting upon them. They are
offered instead free tobacco 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 destruction OF surrender what
is termed our protective system, should
confuse no one. The existence of such q
system Is entirely consistent with the
regulation Of the extent to which it
should be applied and the correction of
its abuses.
OF course in q country as great as
ours, with such a wonderful variety of
interests, often leading in entirely differ.
ent directions, it is difficult If not impos-
sible to settle upon a perfect tariff plan.
But in accomplishing the reform We have
entered upon, the necessity Of which is
30 obvious, I believe we should not be
content with a reduction of revenue in.
volving the prohibition of importations
and the removal Of the internal tax upon
whisky. It be better and more safely
done with the lines of granting actual re-
lief to the people in their means of living
and at the same time giving an impetus
to our domestic enterprises and further
ing our national welfare.
It Misrepresentation Of our PURPOSES
and motives are to gain credence and de-
feat our present efforts in this direction
there seems to be no reason why every
endeavor in the future to accomplish rev.
enue reform should not be likewise at
tackled and with like result.
And yet no thoughtful man can fail to
see IN the continuance Of the present bur !
dens Of the people, and the abstraction bv +
the government of the currency !
OF the country, inevitable dis
tress and disaste. All danger will +
be averted by timely action. The I
difficulty of applying the remedy win !
never be less, and the blame should not