Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1888-07-02
TARIFF REFoGm.


should be cautious and conservative in
method, not in advance of public opin-
ion, but responsive to its demands, the
Democratic party is pledged to revise
the tariff in a spirit of fairness to all in
t rests.
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 Mt
the Custom House have been the chief
source of federal revenue. Such they
must continue to be. Moreover, many
industries have come to rely en- legisla-
tiou for O successful continuance, SO
THAT any change of law must be at every
step regurJful of the labor aud capital
thus involved. The process of reform
must be snhiect in The execution t0 this
plain dictate Of justice.
All tuxation shall be limited to the he
qulrements of economical government
Tie necessary reduction III texutiUn can
and must be effected without depriving
Amerit an Ia Dor of the ability to COM
pete successfully with foreign labor, and
without imposing loves rates of dut,
than will be ample to cover any i'll
creased cost of production which may
exit III consequence of the higher rate
OF wages prevailing in this country
National Democratic Platform, 1894.
Tie proposition with which We hive
to deal is the reduction of the revenue
received by the Government, and indi-
rectiy paid by the people from custom
duties. The question Of free truGe is
HOT involved, nor is there how uoy &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 laws
relating 10 revenue, the industries and
interests which have been encouraged
by such laws, and in which our citizens
have large inve:tu. ents, should not be
ruthlessly injured or destroyed. We
shonlI also deal with the subject il
snch manner AZ TO protect the interests
of American labor, which is the capital
of our workiDgmen; it's stability and
proper remuneration furnish the most
justltiable PIE ext for n protective poll
cy. g..
With these limitations certain re-
duction should be made in our customs
revenue. The amount of such reduc-
ton LAYING Teen determined, the in
qnity follows, wLere tan it best be re-
ni,t Il aud what articles can best be
relensed from d; ty, in the interest OF
our citizens?
think the reduction should be made
| in the revenue derived froru u tax NJ Cd
the imported neceSsnries of lite. We
thus directly lessen tie cost of living in
every family Of tie land, nnd release to
the people III every humble home a
larger measure of the rewards of frugal
industry - President Clevelaud's Mes
sage, Dec. 8. 1885.
Our prog ess toward wise conclu.
sion VII not be improved by dwelling
| upon the theories of protet ton and free
trade. This suvors too much of handy.
! ing epithets. It is II condition Which
confronts us-not 1t theory. Relief from
this conditicn may involve a slight re-
duction of the advantages which we
awmrd our home productions, but The
entire withdrawal of such advantages
should not be contemplated. The
question of FRI o trade is absolutely il.
relevant; and the pcrsis;en claim made
in certain quarters, that all efforts tc
relieve the people from unjust and un.
necessary taxation ere schemes of so.
called fire e-.rnders. is nlischievous and
far removed from any consideration fol
tie public good.
The simple and plain duty which We
owe the people is to reduce taxation tc
the nee es.nry expenses Of an economic.
] al operation of the Government, and tc
restore to the business Of the count,,
A.