Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1888-07-05
TARIFF nEFoRn,.

SHOULD ne cautious ana 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 spirit of fairness to all in
trrests. $3.50
But in making reduction in taxes, it
is not proposed to injure any domestic
Industries, but rather to promote their
healthy growth. From tue foundation
of this Government, taxes collected at
the Custom House have been the chief
source of federal revenue. Such they
must continue to be. Moreover, many
Industries have come to rely On legisla-
ton for a successful continuance, so
that any change of law must be at every
| step regardful of the labor aud capital
thus involved. The process of reform
must be subject in the execution to this
plain dictate of justice.
All taxation shall be limited to the re.
quirements of economical government.
The necessary reduction in taxation can
and must be effected without depriving
American labor of the ability to CON-
pete successfully with foreign labor, and
without imposing lower rates of dut.
! than will be ample to cover any in
creased cost of production which may
exist in consequence of the higher rate
of wages prevailing in this country
| National Democratic Platform, 1884.
The proposition with which we have
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 trade is
not involved, nor is there now my &C.
casion for the general discussion of the
wisdom or expectancy of protective
system.
Justice and fairness dictate that in
any modification of our present laws
ie!atiug to revenue, the industries and
interests which have been encouraged
by such laws, and in which our citizens
have large investn. euts. should not be
ruthlessly injured or destroyed. We
should also deal with the subject in
such manner as to protect the interests
of American lnbor, which is The capital
Of our workiDgmen; it's stability and
proper remuneration furnish the most
jnstltiable ple!ext for a protective poll
cy.
| With IL these limitations a certain re-
duction should be made in our customs
revenue. The amount of such reduc-
ton having been determined, the in
quiIy follows, where can it best be re-
nlitt d and what articles can bet be
released from duty, in the interest OF
our citizens2
| l think the reduction shonId be made
in the revenue derived from tax uLon
the imported necessnries OF life. We
thus directly lessen the cost of living in
every family of the land, and release to
the people in every humble home a
larger measure of the rewards of frugal
industry Il President Cleveland's Mes
sage, Dec. 8, 1885. "
Our progress toward wise conclu-
sion VIII not be improved by dwelling
upon the theories of protet ton and free
trade. This suvors too much of handy.
ing epithets. It IL condition which
confronts us-not II theory. Relief from
this condition mny involve q slight re.
duction of the advantages which we
award our homo produt tions, but the
entire withdrawal of such advantages
should not be contemplated. The
question of fir, o trade Is absolutely ir.
relevant; and the persistent claim made
in certain quarters, that oil efforts tc
relieve the people from unjust and un.
necessary taxation IRE schemes Of So
called FIRE e-.raders, ia mischieyous apG
far removed from any consideration fol
the public good.
The simple and plain duty which We
owe the people is to reduce taxation e
the necessary expenses OF an economic
nj operation Of the Government, and K
restore to the business of the count,
the money which we hold in the Treas