Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-10-15

its object the raising Of revenue with ineioeiitA
protection to American industries. Ia o,her
/ words that the Legislation OF Congress should be
framed for the sole purpose and OBJECT OF aoVanc
ing the interests Of one thirteenth o; the popua-
ton Of the country imposing on me Other twe'Ve,
thirteenths the burdens ofiorced contributions, IN
| the interest of favored class OF our Citizens
The Democratic party, through It's chosen rep
resentativ-s, did, during the same year IN the IN
| terest of the whole people, announce those prin-
ciples which have for century given vitality to
| its organization, and which have been the CO.
hesive power that enabled II to meet defeat with
out disintegraton and 10 use its victories IN pro
noting the interests Of a common county. tide
clares
"All taxation shall be limited to the require
rienis OF economical government The necessary
reduction III taxation can and must be effected
without depriving American labor of the ability
to compete successfully with foreign labor. and
without imposing lower rates OF duty than VIII be
ample 10 cover any increased cost of production
which may exist in consequence OF The higher
rate of wages prevailing IN this country. sum
cent revenue to pay all expenses OF the Federal
Government, economically administered, includ-
ing pensions interest, and principal OF the public
debt can be got. under our present system OF tax.
alton. from custom house taxes on fewer imported
articles bearing heaviest on articles OF luxury and
bearing lightest on articles Of necessity.
I'VE, therefore, denounce the abuses OF the ex-
istng tariff and subject TO the preceding liniita-
tons, we demand that Federal taxation shall be
exclusively for public purposes. and shall not ex-
coed the needs OF the Government, economically
administered"
Mr.. President the platform of the Republican
party of 1885 the subject of tariff taxation, was
a departure from the declared principles which
have guided and directed It's policy from its or
ganization to that time. 1t in terms repudiates
the platform Of 1874. which announced that
"The annual revenue, after paying current ex-
penditures. pensions, and the interest on the
public debt should furnish a moderate balance
for the reduction of the principal; and that reve-
nue.. except so much as may be derived from tax
upon tobacco and liquors should be raised by
duties upon importations. the details of which
should be so adjusted as to aid in securing reinu-
nerative wages 10 labor and promote the indus
tries. prosperity, and growth OF the whole
country"
At this time we find that It distinctly declares
that tobacco and whskey shall be two OF the
sources OF revenue and that the growth and pros
perity of our great manufacturing interests shall
be promoted by giving TO them that incidental
protection which fair adjustment OF the details
will secure.
Its platform Of 1876 rests upon the same consti-
tutonal theory
"The revenue necessary for current eIpendi-
lures and the obligations of the public debt must
be largely derived from duties upon importatons,
which so far as possible. should be adjusted 10
promote the interests of American labor and
advance the prosperity OF the whole country"
And that no doubt should arise or misconstruc-
ton exist OF the declaration made by II IN 1870. III
1880 after four years of reflection, its convention
declared:
I'VE reasiirm the belief avowed in 1876 that the
duties levied for the purpose of revenue should so
discriminate as TO favor American labor. -
Mr. President for the first time in the history OF
our Government political party IN 1888 an
nounced TO the American people the consttu-
tioual power of Congress TO so frame revenue
bill that protection should be its object and rev
enue a mere incident
The reasons which induced so radical change
of policy by party that had controlled the desti-
mics OF this country for y years must have been
very potent reference 10 the political condition
which confronted the Republican party at the
time of that declaration may throw some light
uDon the influences which dictated IL.
The Democratic partyin 1854 had elected Grover
Cleveland upon platform that demanded wise
aud conservative revision Of the tariff and reduc-
ducton of the Federal revenues. A Democratic
House OF Representatives had framed bill in the
spirit of that platform which. while reducing the
taxes OF the people So 600 600 would not have
American industries. The record OF the Demo
cratic Administration marked by ability
purity, economy and patriotism.
The Republican party realized the condition
that confronted it, aud appreciated the necessity
OF making issue which would bring 10 its sup
port not the popular sentiment OF the country
but the powerful organization and the unlimited
means OF small but influential class OF citizens,
who prompted by self interest and stimulated by
promise OF higher profits, would turn the tide
III favor OF Disqualification and protection by
imposing more onerous burdens than then existed
upon agriculture and oiaer unprotected !aoorerS
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
AND MANUFACTURER
Mr. President, with this object in view, the Re
publican party, which had originated in sectional
ism. chose rather to rely upon class for its sup
port than upon those governmental principles
which would commend il TO the approval Of the
body Of the people. Ignoring its history and ira
diton made during the 90 years of its brief life,
it deliberately entered into partnership with the
representatives of the manufacturing interests Of
the country. in consideration OF liberal contribu-
tons winch were TO be used TO defeat the purity
OF the ballet: 20 the honest sentiment OF
majority Of the people; 10 shake the confidence IN
pubic sovereignty ana universal suffrage; 10 dis
grace Government whose foundation must rest
upon the intelligence, integrity and incorrupt-
bihy OF the people and 10 place in high aud re-
spouSiDle executive position III the pubic service
men bearing the ineiiscable stains which disig-
ure the charac er Of those through whose agency
the ballot l. debauched and the suffrage Of Tree
people corrupted.
The fact that this partnership exists Is suifi-
GENTLY proven by the legislation upon all OF these
great economic questions which has characterized
the proceedings Oi a Republican Congress. II -
also matter OF general reputation, easily suscep-
tible o proof but being circumStaniial III its char
acter. prefer 10 rely upon the Tree and voluntary
confession OF the parties in interest rather than 10
dstain the Senate by Welding each link III the
chain of circumstantial proof.
In the light ofthis evioeuoe the Republican plat
form of 1885 i easily understood aud shOuli eN-
cite no surprise.
viii call to the stand the editor Of the Tariff
League Bulletin whose paper represents the great
protected industries of the country, and which
am informed Is scattered broadcast throughout
the land by tie aid VI fumes furnished tni ougn an
association composed of these psmpered favoTites
ot elias, legislation.
Tins editor III criticsing the language OF the
Confidential circular sent TO The manu- tcturers
during the campaign OF 1858 by the Republican
League OF the Uuited states. observed
These charges. when stripped OF their dis
credi,sble verbtase. are. first that the campaign
which we are about 10 enter Will concern more
than any body else the manufacturers OF the coun-
try'-'men who are getting practically the sole
benefits, or at least the most directly important
benefits, of the tariff laws. aud second, That
wolfe rrapiug the fruits cf the tariff policy they
have been very lagsard IN their Contributions 10
The Republican cause Their conduct i called
cravenal pat srnony.' The New England manu-
iaciureiS il is Said. have beea somewhat les
paisimouous than the Others. But OF Pennsyl-
wanna manufacturers, Il Is said, in Language both
vigorous aud picturesque:
e If had my way about il would put them
under the fire and Try all the iai out OF them
This extract shows toe honest indignation OF
this representative OF monopoly, who recognizes
however, that the specific charge made by the
authorized agent oi the Republican party de-
mauded from him specific reply He did not
attempt tOrepudiate the obligations which had
been assumed By those he represented, he virtu-
ally admits tina; they had agreed 10 furnish the
cash capital, and the other partner the experience
in manipulating elections and IN euacting Jaws IL
Their interest he realized the great demands
made upon the social assets aud that unless the
Treasury was repenished bankruptcy would be
inevitable. and the inoIdiuale anticipated pTosts
would not materialize.
Selfinterest suggested prompt response. and
while his employ eTs hurried 20 their counting
rooms 10 sigu their checks IL favor OF the treas
of the Republican League Of the United
states this honest and rusty. but Indignant edi
tor. sought the privacy Of his ssuciuni. where
IL might pen few plain truths in vinCication ii
the conduct OF those silent Farmers.
In the following teTs= aad pointed language he
answers the allegations y. The Confidential circu-
lar
- But while manufacturers derive no greater al
yaniases from protection than other Gases IN
proportion 10 the magnitude oi their enterprises
ihsy nevertheless do contribute far more than all
other classes 10 it, support The record, Of tke
Il L L.