The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-02-11
Tariff and Snrplus.
MAucn CnuNK, Feb. Q, Isss

MAUCH OHUNk, ECO. o. 100.
There Is no question so promiuen' and
so much discussed as he tariff, and the
surplus money in the U. S. Treasury The
100000, ono wrung from the people yearly
in excess to the necessary expenditures of
the government, is nothing less than a
crime against the people. This surplus
must be abolished, and President Cleveland
did a wise thing in coniining his annual
message to this one important subject.
Uron this subject all agree; but as TO hOtc,
phore ard 1chen. there is a wide difference
)f opinion. 1t seems to be evident that no
bill can be passed unless 1t be by mutual
concession and compromise. These con
cessons, If a bill is to be enacted at this
session Of Congress, must recognize dis
tinctively the Democratic principle Of in
cidental protection and not Free Trade"
The surplus can be wiped cut by taking the
tariff off raw materials and part icularly
from the real necessaries of life. The in
ternal revenue system may also sug-
gcst means OF relief or at least contribute
something thereto. Therefore by com.
promising the several wings of the Demo-
cratic party by taking a slice off both i'm
portations and revenue taxes, substantial
results can be obtained. This should be
done in a broad pacific spirit, satisfactory
TO all elements of the party, if possible.
One thing is certain, that these results and
Ceveand's reelection cannot be accom-
plished If ont and out Free TGaders'' are
permitted to shape a policy upon which so
much depends.
In 1888 the success of the Democracy de-
pends upon united action, and not upon
measures supported by Carlisle, Mills,
Scott, ct. al, but it will require also the
cooperation OF Randall, McAdoo, ct. al.
And those who by infamatory articles. by
reading Democrats vino believe in protec-
tion, out of the party, and by urging non
concession and demanding Free Trade"
thereby preventing harmony in the majori-
ty party, commit a crime against Demo-
c.acy and good government and deserve to
be branded as traitors. very much fear
that tbs current discussions upon reducing
unnecessary taxation aud thereby prevent
| ing the accumulation of such large and
dangerous surplus in the u. S. Treasury,
are running wild and reckless as TO effects
| and consequences, and unconsciously lead
| ing the great Democratic party into the
broad road which leads to political destruc-
tion. Many of these discussions and argu-
ments do not stop at the real point at issue
TO reform the tariff and prevent the &C
cumulation of the surplus-but so right
into the fundamental theory of absolute
Free Trade" The President is not re-
sponsble for this madness. He had a
pecifc object in view when he wrote his
message. The surplus in the U. S. Treas.
ury was so large as to endanger all the
business interests in the country. We all
agree that there is a crying need for thor
ough REVISION of our present iniquitous
tariff laws, to bring them in accord with
the plainest principles of equity, even If
there was no surplus in the Treasury to
specially demand n. But to do this it is
neither necessary or beneficial to go into
abstract theoretical discussions of "Free
Trade principles. The tariff laws can
undoubtedly be so amended and revised as
to relieve the country from the continued
accumulation of this burdensome surplu,
with an eye fixed and direct upon just
protection of business and labor What
ever views on may personally hold upor
the abstract question, as to whether Pro
lection or Free Trade, be the true economi,
doctrine, it is certain that no country car
safely change from one system to the othe
except by slow and gradual steps. A sud
den change of such systems is not onl.
dangerous to the business interests of tn
country, but it would also prove to be sui
cilal to the political party that attempt
It. hope the Democratic party will stee
clear of these dangerous political shoals, s.
that it may again safely land in the harbo
of political power. A free trade argumen
at this time is too big for the people, an
it swallows itself up, when you attempt l.
reconcile it with the OBJECT Of the Presi
dents message-it's like man attepptin
to lift himself by pulling at his boot Straps
II is not yet fully known what concession
the Randall wing of the Democratic part
Is willing to make in this matter, since th
Presidents earnest and patriotic appeal t
p, the country, but in no event must ths
: potent, influential and powerful element {
" the Democracy be ignored, If CleYeland, {
any other Democrat, is to win in 1888.
y Please don't forget 1t, and let the edito
Of the Mauch Chnnk Democrat make
u note of Il. We have local as well as nj
y tional interests. A DEMOCRAT.