New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-12
PRICE THREE CENTS.

The fact OF Treasury surplus. the amount Oh
which is variously stated, has directed pubic ~
tention TO a consideration OF the methods BY WHICH
the National income NAV best he reduced 70 the
level of wise and necessary expenditure ms
condition has been seized upon By those who are
hostile to protective custom duties as an advan-
tagcous base Of attack upon our tarin laws
They have magnined and nursed the surplus, whlcn
they affect TO deprecate, seemingly for the pur-
pos of cxaggerating the evil in order TO reconcile
the people to the extreme remedy they propose
proper reduction Of the revenue does not neces-
state and should not suggest the abandonment
or impairment OF the protective system. lhe
methods suggested by our Convention will not
need TO be exhausted in order 20 effect the neces-
sary reduction We are not likely to be called
upon, | think, TO make present choice between
the surrender of ou- protective system and tho
entire repeal OF thc internal taxes. Such n con-
tingency. in view OF the present relation OF ex-
penditure to revenue, is remote. The inspection
and regulation OF the manufacture and sale OF
olcomargarine is important and the revenue de-
rived from it is not so great that the repeal Of the
law need enter into any plan OF revenue reduction.
The surplus now in the Treasury should be used
in the purchase of bonds The law authorizes
this of it, and If il is not needed for current or
deficiency appropriations, the people. and not ths
banks in which it has been deposited. should hava
the advantage Of its use By stopping interest upon
the public debt AT least, those who needlessly
hoard it should not be allowed to the fear Of
monetary strngncy, thus produced, TO coerce pub
lie sentiment upon other questions.
THE IMPORTATION OF CONTRACT LABOR.
Closely connected with the subject Of the tarin
is that of the importation Of foreign laborers under
contracts Of service 10 be performed here The
law now in force prohibiting such contracts re-
ceived my cordial support in the Senate. and such
amendments as may be found necessary effectively
to deliver our worl1ingmen and women from this
most inequitable form Of competition will have
my sincere advocacy Legislation prohibiting the
importation OF laborers under contracts TO serve
here will, however, afford very inadequate re-
lief to our working people if the system of pro-
tective duties is broken down. II the products
Of American shops must compete in the American
market without favoring duties. with the pro-
ducts Of cheap foreign labor, the effect will be
different If at all, only in degree, whether tho
cheap laborer is across the street over the
sea- Such competition will reduce wages
here 70 the level Of those abroad and when that
condition is reached we will not need any laws
forbidding the importation Of laborers under con-
tract-they Will have inducement TO come, and
the employer no indUcement to send for them.
In the earlier years of our history, public
agencies TO promote immigration were common
The pioneer wanted neil ighsor with more friendly
instincts than the Indian. Labor was scarce and
fully employed But the day Of the immi grafton
bureau has gone by While our doors will con-
tinue to oe open 10 proper immigration, we do NOS
need 10 issue special invitations TO the inhabitants
Of other countries TO come 10 our shores or TO
share our citizenship. Indeed, the necessity OF
some inspection and limitation is obvious. We
should resolutey refuse to permit foreign Gov
ernments to send their paupcrs and criminals TO
our Iorts.
We are also clearly under a duty to defend our
civiiizatii by excluding alien races whose ultimate
assimilation with our people is neither possible
nor desirable. The family has been the nucleus
OF or best immigration, and the home the most
potent assimilating force in civilization.
The objections to Chinese mmi grafton dis
tinctivc and conclusive, and are now so generally
accepted as such that the question has passed
entirely beyond the stage Of argument The laws
relating to this subject would, II should be
charged with their enforcement, be faithfully exc
cuted Such amendments further legislation
as may be necessary and proper to prevent evasiOns
Of the laws and TO stop further Chinese immigra-
tion would also meet my approval The ex-
preston of the Convention upon thi, subject is
/ in entire harmony with my views.
PLAIN WORDS ABOUT ELECTION FRAUDS.
Our civil impact is government by maiorities:
and the law loses its sanction and the asstrate
our respect when this compact is broken The evil
results Of election frauds do not expend themselves
upon the voters who robbed OF their rlghtlul
/ influence in public affairs. The individual or
community, or party that practises or connlves
at election frauds has suffered rreparable in
iurv. and will sooner or later realize that 10 ex-
+ change the American system of majority rule for
minority control is not only unlawful and un-
patriotc but very unsafe for those who promote it
The Acknowledgement of single legal
clcctor by fraud intimidation IS
2 crime too grave 20 be regarded lightly.
The right Of every cuaifsd eecto. 10 cast one
frcc ballot and to have it honestly counted must
not be questioned Every constitutional power
should be used TO MAKE this right secuce and pun
ish frauds upon the ballot.
Our colorcd people do not ask special legislation
in their interest but only to be made securc in the
common rights Of American citizenship. They
will however, naturally mistrust the sincerity of
those party leaders who appeal to theis race for
support only in those localities where the suffrage
is free and election results doubtful and compass
their dsfranchscment whe.e their votes would be
controlling and their choice cannot be ccerced.
The Nation, not less than the States, is de-
pendent for prosperity and security upon the in
telligence and morality OF the people This COM
mon interest very early suggested national aid in
the establishment and endowment Of schools and
colleges in the new States There is. | believe.
a present exigency that calls for still more LIBERAL
ana direct appropriations in aid of common school
education in the States.
The Territorial form Of government is a tenn
porary expedient not a permanent civil condi-
tion II is adapted to the exigency that sug-
cestcd il, but becomes inadequate, and even
oppressive, when applied 10 fixed and populous
communities. Several Territories we'll able
to bear the burdens and discharge the duties OF
free commonwcalthS IN the American Union. To
exclude them is to deny the just rights of their
people and may well excite their indignant pro-
test No question Of the political preference of
/ ,.norlo Of Torn tory shonld close against