The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-08-26
OR FREE TRADE.

Ot& II A -
The foregoing was the topic of an essay read
at meeting of the Horticultural Society on
Wednesday last, by ex-senator S. P. Wolcott.
Although the rules of the Society forbid all
discussions bordering on politics or religion, yet
the ardent Senator could not contain himself so
full of protective tariff was his breast and in
spite of rules. decency, or good common sense.
he made free deliverance
1t was an able essay, written by an able man,
and read on an occasion when mans blood was
hot. Non-partisan in its expressions and pre-
liminaries, yet most powerful exposition of
sound Republican doctrine from Republican
standpoint. No party was mentioned through
out the able exegesis, and yet every one who
listened was compelled to bow assent to the
| publication of a Republican stump speech re-
hearsed before the Portage County Horticultural
Society. AS an argument for protection il was
full and exhaustive, and the Republicans of this
county need only to train Mr.. Essayst in elo-
cution, to prepare him for spoutng the ponder
Gus effort from the stump, with good effect.
The able gentleman was rewarded for his ef-
fort by being assigned the position of bugger
for next year, by the unanimous consent of the
Society. He will have grand opportunity of
| demonstrating the blessings to farmers of tariff
on potato bugs. May the blessings of health
and strength be showered upon him in the
coming year.
few points of the essay we are pleased to
| note. One is that we must raise one million
dollars every day for our government expenses
imposing tax upon every man, woman and
| child to pay. What stupendous force to this
point, when you think of the poor infant with
no earthly goods but its swaddling clothes and
its diaper. Who would pay its tax? Of course
the millionaire, with his millions, would have to
pay six dollars, and no more for then he would
be equal to the swaddled babe, and so each one
of his family. When one thinks for a moment
of the enormity of such burden in that light,
it is enough to frighten any poor ignorant pro
tectionist to vote duty on his mouth, ears, eyes
and nose, because it would be indirect taxation,
and SO much easier paid than by direct taxation.
OF course. it is now settled matter that it re-
quires one million dollars day. When Presi-
dent Cleveland left the chair there was an over
flowing treasury, and the question with him
was, what should be done to prevent the gigan-
tic accumulation of the peoples money where
it can do no good. What can be done to leave
it with the people themselves? The present
administration soon solved the question, by
squandering and robbery. and what Cleveland
then deemed to be more than necessary to pay
our expenses, the present administration, through
extravaganza and jobbery has completely abb
sorbed, and they call for more.
But come we to the subject of tax. A tax is
burden, whether levied directly or by tariff.
If it requires million dollars per day, then so
much must be paid, and it is a burden which
ever way it is raised. The only question is, how
shall the burden be imposed most equally and
Justly to all the people BY direct taxation,
every one is taxed according to his wealth. The
man who owns the most property pays the most
tax, because he has the most benefit. The more
property man owns, the more protection by
the law he requires, and the more benefit enjoys.
Hence. he should pay accordingly.
By tariff such as is imposed in this country,
the man of small means pays as much tax and
often more than the rich, because it is laid on
the necessaries Of life which the poor must have
| 80 VIII Cd hiS liSlI lOI lIlc Nan eat no
more and drink no more than the poor. and he.
does not require any more ordinary clothing
than the poor man. He does, however, con-
sumo more articles of luxury, also wears finer
clothing, and more of it. than the poor man,
But assuming the tariff to be fairly adjusted on
luxuries and necessaries alike, then we are still
in the position of the two men, one with large
pile of money, and one with a small pile. Each
needs a pair of boots. The man with a small
pile needs ordinary cowhides, for about two and
one-half dollars. He buys them and has no
money left. The man with a large pile buys
pair of French calf or Kangaroo, for say ten
dollars, and has million left. The poor man
pays say, dollar tax on his boots; the rich,
not over three. The poor man pays one dollar
tax on two dollars and fifty cents the millionaire
pays three dollars on his million. And yet,when
| it comes to the defence of this government in
war, the man who owns no property is compelld
to bare his breast to the enemies bullets, not TO