Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-07-02

The Taria-The Chicago Platform.

Inc ldrlI- ne CMCdRo i'idtiOiih.
The Republicans are endeavoring 70
make party capital out OF the fact that
though the Platform Committee of tho
Chicago convention reported in favor OF
resolution declaring for protection under
certain circumstances, that convention
substituted resolution which they say
substantially declared for free trade. The
TraLgne charges that the Democratic party
IS committed without qualification TO n
tariff for revenue only, and that prOtec-
ton is condemned as fragrant robbery of
tho people in the face of the recent deci-
sion Of the United States Supreme Court
That the MCKINLEY act is constitutional.
The history of the tariff plank Of the
Chicago convention is interesting ard SIM
cular. But there is nothing undomocrotic
in the resolution reported by the commit
tee nor in the one adopted by the conven-
ton. Let us stop here TO say that MIR.
RANDALL. who advocated incidental pro-
lection. never admitted that Congress had
power TO lay tariff for protection only.
He held that the object of tariff legisla-
ton must be revenue and the protection
incidental. Moreover. we would remind
our New York contemporary that the
United States Supreme Court has no
power to decider whether q tariff is laid for
revenue only or for protection, unless
Congress foolishly declares in its revenue
bills that these are passed for the protec-
ton of American industries. Congress
has the power TO levy customs duties.
There is no doubt on that point. Congress
has no power to lovy those duties for pro-
lection only but once they are levied, 1t
would be wise bench Of Supreme Justices
who could draw tho line between law
intended TO protect American industries
and one intended only TO raise revenue for
the support of the government.
The resolution reported in the Chicago
convention by the Committee on the Plat
form reads as follows. We quote il;
"Seciion 3. We reiterate the oft-repeated doc
trine Of the Democratic party that the necessity
Of the government Is the only justification for
Taxation. aud Whenever a tax ia unnecessary 1t
81 unjustifable; that when eustom-house taxa
tion il levied upon articles OF any kind produced
}n this country the difference between the cost
pi labor here and labor abroad when such differ
ence exists, fully measures any possible benefits
10 labor and the enormous additional impOsi-
lions of tho existing tariff fall with crushing
force upon our farmers and workingmen, and
for the mere advantage OF the few whom II en-
riches exact from labor a grossly unjust share
OF the expenses OF the government; and we de-
snand such a revision OF the tariff laws as will
remove their inquitous inequalities, tighten
their expressions, and put them on constitu-
tional and equitable basis.
"But In making reduction In taxes IL IL not pro-
posed 20 inlure any domestic industries, but
rather TO promote their healthy growth From
The foundation Of this government taxes col
iected at the custon-house have teen the Chief
source Of Federal revenue. Such they must
continue 10 be. Moreover, many industries have
come TO rely upor legislation for successful con-
tinuance, 40 that any changes of law must be at
every stop regardful OF the labor and capital
thus involved. The process OF reform must be
subject TO the execution OF this plain dictate of
Justice
The above resolution was reported by
the regular Platform Committee Of the
convention. Ii comes from high source,
therefore. Nevertheless. il met with little
favor and was spoken of as 1.-THE old strad-
die of 1884" That way substituted for it
The following resolution;
ave denounco Republican protection as
fraud-a robbery of the great majority of the
American people for the benefit Of the few. We
declare II TO DO a fundamental principle VI the
Democratic party that the Federal Government
has no constitutional power TO impose and collect
tarlff duties except for the purposes OF revenue
only, and We demand that the collection Of such
taxes shall be limited TO tho necessities OF the
government when honestly and economically ad-
ministered."
This is short, sharp, and decisive. 1t
shows on It's face that it was adopted in a
hurry. What is Republican protec-
tom? 1t must be tariff of protec-
tion only. The people will take to its
plain-spoken words.
Our reports of the proceedings of the
Chicago convention were exceedingly
good. We think we have given above the
true history of the platform upon which
all good Democrats are expected to stand
sill CLEVELAND is elected.