Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-10-06

self is a betrayal of the peoples trust. We
bave however, undertaken to build great ma
ton upon plan especially our own To main
tain and to furnish through it's agency the
means for the accomplishment of national OBJ
jects the American people are willing. through
federal taxation. to surrender part of their
earnings and income.
Tariff legislation presents a familiar form of
federal taxation. Such legislation results as
surely in a tax upon the daily life of our peo-
pie as the tribute paid directly into the hands
of the tax gatherer. We feel the burden OF
these tariff taxes too palpably to be persuaded
by any sophistry that they do not exist or
paid by foreigners.
Such taxes, representing a diDlinution of the
property rights of the people, justif1able
when laid and collected for the purpose Of main
tanning our government and furnishing the
means for the accomplishment of its 1egiti-
mate purposes and functions. This is tax
alton under the operation of tariff for reve-
nue.. 1t accords with the profession Of Amer
lean free institutions and its justice and hon
esty answer the test supplied by correct ap
probation of the principles upon which these
institutions rest
Economy in Government.
This theory Of tariff legislation manifestly
enjoins strict economy in public expenditures
and their limitation to legitimate public uses,
inasmuch as it exhibits az absolute extortion as
any exaction by way OF taxation from the sub
stance of the people beyond the necessities of
a careful and proper administration of govern
ment
Opposed to this theory the dogma ia now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is justi-
fable for the express purpose and intent of
thereby promoting especial interests and en-
terprises. Such proposition is SO clearly con-
tra-y to the spirit Of constitution and
directly encourages the disturbance by selfish
and greed Of patriotic sentiment, that its
statement would rudely shock people. if
they had not already been insidiously alIured
from the safe landmarks Of principle Never
,ovya 6acir for fri.
otto devotion to country and sincere regard for
those who toll, been SO betrayed to the sup
port of pernicious doctrine. In its be-
half the plea that infant industries
should be fostered did service until discred-
tied by our stalwart growth; then followed the
exigences of a terrible war which made our
people needless Of the opportunities for Interior
schemes afforded by their willing and patriotic
payment Of unprecedented tribute land now. af
ter 3 long period of pence, when our overbur-
dened countrymen ask for relief and a restora-
ton to fuller enjoyment of their incomes and
earnings, they are met By the claim that tariff
taxation for the sake of protection is an Amer
lean system, the continuance of which is neces-
sary in order that hi. h wages may be paid to
our workingmen, and home market be pro-
vided for our farm products.
A system Contrary to Justice.
These pretenses should no longer deceive.
The truth is that such system is directly an
tagonized by every sentiment of justice and
fairness of which Americans ara Gem inently
proud. It is also true that while working
men and farmers can. the least of all our peo-
pie. defend themselves against the harder
home life which such tariff taxation DEGREES,
the workngmen suffering from the importa-
tion and employment Of pauper labor insti-
gated by his professed friends. and seeking
security for his interests in organized
operation, still waits for division of the ad
vantages secured to his employer under cover
of generous solictude for his wages; while
the farmer is learning that the prices of his
products are fixed in foreign mar6ets, where
he suffers from competition built up by the
system he is asked to support.
The struggle for unearned advantage at the
doors of the government tramples on the
rights of those who patiently rely upon assur-
ances OF American equality. Every govern
mental concession to clamorous favorites in
vites corruption in political affairs by encour
aging the expenditure Of money to debauch
suffrage in support of policy directly favor
able to private and selfish gain. This in the
end must strangle patriotism and weaken con-
fidence in the rectitude of republican institu-
tons. Though the subject of tariff legislation
involves a question of markets, it also involves
question of moral principle. We not
with impunity permit injustice to faint the
spirit of right and equity. which is the ma
tional destiny if greed ana destiny lead the
way.
A Question of Equity.
Recognizing these truths, the national dem
ocracy will seek by the application OF just and
sound principles to eQualiZ9 to our people the
blessings due them from the government they
supp-<t; to promote among our countrymen
Close: community of interests cemented by
patriotism and national pride and to point out
faw field, where prosperous and diversified
American enterprise may grow and thrive in
the wholesome atmosphere of American indus
try ingenuity and intelligence
Tariff reform is still our purpose Though
we oppose the theory that tariff laws may be
passed having for their object the granting of
discriminating and unfair governmental aid to
private ventures, we wage no extermlnating
war against any American industry. We be-
1:eve a readjustment can be accomplished, in ac-
cordance with the principles we profess. with
out disaster or demolition. We believe that
the advantages of freer raw material should
be accorded to our manufacturers. and we con-
template a fair and careful distribution OF nee
essary tariff burdens, rather than the precipi-
tation of free trade.
We anticipate with calmness the misrepre-
sentation of our motives and purposes insti-
gated by a selishness which seeks to hold in
unrelenting grasp its unfair advantage under
present tariff laws. We will rely upon the in
tellieence of our fello eountrymen to reject
the charge that a party comprising majority
Of our people is planning the destruction or in
jury Of American interests; and we know that
they cannot be frightened by the specter OF Inn
possible free trade.
Federal Control Of Elections.
The administration and management OF our
government depend upon popular VIII Fed