The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-26

tectlon violates the spirit, If not the letter of
the sfsderal constitution.
Mr. Hill attacked the position taken by
the republicans that the principle OF pro-
tsction was established in the earliest legis.
lation by congress. be said
Our answer to these presidents which may
be cited against our position is very simple and
conclusive The government had Just been
formed, was badly in debt, OF greatly in need
OF revenue There were scarcely any manu-
features The country wanted money and re-
quired manufactures, and these bills were
passed unquestionably to secure both obiects
Just as stated in their preambles. Pennsylvania
then as now, selflsuly caring only for her
own supposed interests. made the demand for a
protection preamble and the other states
yielded the point. The constitution had Just
been adopted It's provisions were new and mad
not been Interpreted There was disposition
to accept without question any measures which
Afforded temporary relief and avoided danger
Gus contention. Under the circumstances
measures In question does not carry much
weight upon the constitutional question In
vslYed.
SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENT.
But what did the same congress DO? It pro-
posed an amendment to the constitution which
declared that: 1.-THE powers not delegated 10
the United States by the constitution nor pro-
hibited by It to the states, are reserved to the
states respectively or TO the people" (Article
10). That amendment was subsequently ratified
by the requisite number or states, and became
a part OF the constitution. in 1891. Whatever
question may have previously existed as to the
constitutionality OF q protective tariff per se
there could be meme after its adoption No
tariff bill containing similar preamble to that
attached TO the two bills passed by the first con-
gress was ever enacted from that date to the
present.
THE LATER TARIFF BILLS
1t is true that tariff bills-cAlled and designed
as protective" measures-have since been
passed at various periods of our history. but In
tlAfn THAR a
any preamble, provision or statement therein
from which 10 might appear that protection was
the sole obiecr and direct purpose Of them.
There can be little doubt that q pretsc.
ton measure. pure and simple, could not stand
the test of judicial review. even
with the supreme court Of the United States as
at present constituted. IL our opponents doubt
it, let them be candid with the peopls asd frame
suitable measure TO properly present the Ques
tiOn and not disguise their true purpose behind
measure which purports simply to raise the
necessary revenue for the support Of the gov
THE DEMocRAcY's PURPOSE.
The Democratic party proposes revision OF
the import duties IL does not propose destruct-
tlun of the tariff, but it proposes simply modi-
destruction. We stand where we have ever
stood, upon the doctrine laid down by jefferson,
who said in his first annual message 10 congress
that agriculture, manufactures commerce,
aud navigation, the four pillars OF our pros
perity, are most thriving when left fres to ia
divldual enterprise -"
We have not advocated and do not advocate
free trade, because the government nesds reve-
nues for It's support; and rather than to resort
10 direct taxation to secure them We favor dtl-
ties upon imports "a the bsst and easiest method
OF obtaining these revenues. This has bsen the
ton, and SO Is will ever continue. AS I
said in 1888. go / repeat now, that
we do not advocate free trads, but fresr or
fairer trade. We demand reduction or abSli-
duties n
we favor free raw matetials used IN manu-
factures. wider markets for our productions,
and the imposition OF the lowest taxes consist
ent with the needs Of government. 9
DANGER IN REPUBLICAN SUCCESS
II the republicans shall be successful in this
election they will demand a new tariff bill with
larger duties than are enacted under the Nc
| Ktnley bill. The present republican theory
seems to oe that American industries will never
be able to walk alone, but they will always re-
Quire governmental stlmulants 70 enable them
| to Withstand foreign competition, although IN
truth and IN fact we are undsrsellnE innu,
| the markets OF the world. Extreme
high tariffs are now demanded. not
| simply to equalizs the difference In wages
between this and other countries, but TO
| substantially prohibit TIE Importation and pre-
vent all competition whateveri to build up mo
nepelies, to increase profits and TO aid the pri-
! vats business OF q comparatively favor0d few
| in the community, at the expense of the great
body of the conSum
| Ii Is not right that the fuActlen of govern
| ment should be used for such purposes. In the
| presidency a Question Of morals az well as Of
| markets is Involved
The question which present, and which the
| people desire TO have solved is. what Is the ex
! tent and measure Of protection to which the
| Republican party stands pledged under their
| platform Of 1927
When that question is satisfactorily answered
/ considerable light will be thrown upon the
| lcaIlHg inEnlVDl
PRAISE FOR THE CANDIDATES.
| What shall l say Of the democratic candL
detes-CleVeand and Stevensonf They both
| answer the Jeffersonian standard OF fitness
both have besn satisfactorily tested in the pub
lie service, and both represent cherished princi-
| pies OF eur party in this campaign, and are en-
| titled to your suffrages. Ex-Prssident Cleve
land needs no eulogy at my hands. His life anC
| public services are familiar to the people. Hi
| ministratioB-dignihed,h honest and ebe--ha
| safely withstood poBular criticism, has passed
| into history, and reflected credit upon the coun
| try, His re election will net only be persona
| trump, but il will also be a vindication OF ou
| principles and a triumph OF the Democrats,
| party.
THE FORCE BILL.
The most important issue involved in thi
| election is that presented by the proposed re
| publican federal election bill, otherwise known
as the Davenport force bill" II republican
| success should ensue es the result Of the pend
| ing election that measure would become
! reality with all its dire and unfortunate eonse
| quencss Unwise financial, industrial or tarif
| legislation can easily be repealed IL /
! proves unsatisfactory, but political Legislation
! fastened upon the couRtry to secure an undis
| guised partisan advantage will net be readily
surrendered, although its injustice may be fulll
! demonstrated. Ths safest course Is by everl
| means IN our power to prevent its origina
enactment rather than trust to the generosity
| Of our opponents, aftsr IL once shall have beer
fastened upon the country. Toe pretenss tha
| federal interference may be exercised with pro
| pristy when a President aud members o.
| congress arc chosen because they are fed
! eral officials, may, IL tolerated, seen b
| attempted 10 be extended to the election Io
| members OF the state Legislatures upon tn,
plausible ground that they elsct United stats'
senators, ana that the federal government
| should have In that manner some super risiof
over their election, or over the methods which
! pertain to their choice. Ne prediction car
! safely be made as to the extent to which fedora
supervision over cur state ELECTIONS may bl
| invoked IL any extension shall now be per
mitted
TRY TO DoBsE TIE IssUK.
Our opponents do not discuss very much tht
issue, but seek to evade and ignors II. Presiden
| Harrison, in bis message. takes a more con
! servative view than had been expected and en-
deavors to draw public attention away from III
! consideration by the mild suggestion OF a non
/ partisan commission 70 revise our federal eec
tion laws But the Woe presidential candidate
! Whitelaw Reid impetuousy rushes ia wher
! cautious men had feared TO trea,
and vigorously defends In eject I'll,
| substance, spirit and purpose OF th
| Davenport bill. This Icourss does credit x
his Consistency although IL may be n reflection
upon his good judgment His newspaper ha
been a persistent advocate OF che measure Just
! fyiuR all It's fuioultous provisions, even thos