The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-04-27
"A Campaign for a Principle"


TINEL we said that the issue of the APP
preaching cam paign will be the tariff. by
which we mean not the mere details of
schedules and rates, but the whole ques-
ton OF taxation" The shibboleth OF
tariff reform" has a deep and broad sig
nifcance. 1t means very much more
than mere readjustment of tariff
duties. Tariff reform is not at all ques-
ton of per centages. EDMUND BURKE de-
clared in the house of commons, when he
was defending the American colonies, that
1.-The great contests for freedom in En-
| gland were from the earliest times on the
| question of taxing" Quoting this remark
in the Forum for April Mr.. WILLIAM L.
WILSON adds "And so must they always
be, for just and equal system of taxation
is the only foundation of free govern
ment." He proceeds to show that "the
| high and never-ending mission of the dem
! ocratic party" is to secure and maintain
such system. That party he says,
'came into existence to uphold the idea,
not very old in the world as yet and
nowhere in the world fully acted upon as
yet. that all government is the servant of
| the people, that it should always be under
| their control, and never in the control or
service of privileged classes or favored in
| dividuals."
Mr.. WILSON'S Forum paper is able,
| thoughtful and timely and by far the clear
est and most forcible statement of the tariff
reform issue and of the democratic faith in
Its entirety that has been put into print for
many years. We wish it could be read by
every democrat in Indiana. The follow
ing extract illustrates its temper and
scope:
! Tariff reform is, therefore, not only
/ great issue 1t is a cardinal democratic
issue. 1t means not only the rescue of
the government from the service and con-
] troll of privileged classes and favored indi-
yiduals but it involves and carries with
it all tine other great reforms which unset
fish citizens are SO anxious to secure, and
at times so hopeless OF securing, in our
| politics. 1t is truly said by HERBERT
SPENCER that every principle has its mo-
mentum, and the principle of pro-
lection brings with it brood
OF evils more incompatible with
| pure government than are all its unjust
money exactions. In the very outset it
teaches that some men have a right to rely
on government for success IN private
business rather than upon their own eff
forts and merits. Such a doctrine wrests
| government from the service of all and
turns it over to the service of class.
Moreover, it bestows upon government, to
use the words of an old Virginia states
man, 1.-THE worldly omnipotence that be-
| 70 ha ~ n
and poverty" and thus changes political
campaigns from contests for sound prin-
ciples into battles for private booty. a
reform of the tariff must therefore pre-
cede any genuine and lasting ballot re-
form. We may adopt the Australian sys-
tenn, Just as In days past we adopted the
secret ballot, and for a while battle the
briber and the Intimidator; but greed and
ingenuity will soon learn the combination,
if great pluDder is still to be had bv rifling
the sale. And it il not only the voter
who must be shielded from temp
tation and corrupting influences, but
also the law-maker. A permanent lobby
Is necessary part of protective system.
"Close the doors this morning." said SEN
ator BECK, when the tariff bill Of 1888 was
under consideration In congress, land there
will be found 500 men in the corridors, in
the reception room, everywhere, besieging
senators and representatives to stand by
them and their interests. Promises, fiat
terry. threats, everything is resorted to- y
Equally strong was the cutlery OF Senator
PLUMB of Kansas: "The moment it Yves
announced that it the tariff question:
was to be discussed. there came to this city
from all quarters of the country scores oil
men interested in the various industries
TO be affected by the tariff, who came ia
counsel, came to advise, came to cajole
and came to threaten. almost, In some
cases, have no doubt"
Dir. WILSON shows that tariff reform il
the condition OF any great and permanent
reform of the civil service. England wa,
not able to get rid OF the spoils system in
her civil service until she had abandoned
the policy of protection. THE principle
at the basis of the protective and the
spoils systems is identical-the claim L
use the power and patronage of govern
ment for private favoritism." Tariff re
form, Mr.. WILSON declares, is also 9Th,
essential safeguard of that doctrine tina
lies 30 near the democratic party-th,
doctrine of local self-eovernment." H,
asserts that every one who was not blinC
discovered the hand that was behind tn,
| force bill IN the last congress-" Th,