The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1892-07-02
QUESTION OF TAXATION.


there can be no more momentous
question than the question of taxa
ton. 1t is a question as Mr.. Burke
truly said, around which all great
battles of freedom have been fought.
1t is question out of which grows
all the issues of government. Until
we settle this question wisely, perma-
nently, justly, we build all other re
forms on foundations of sand. We
and the great party we represent are
to-day for tariff reform because it is
the only gateway to genuine Demo
cratic government. Tariff reform
means to readjust this system of
taxation and to purge away this sys-
tenn of tribute 1t means that we
have not reached the goal Of perfect
freedom SO long as any citizen is
forced by law to pay tribute to any
other citizen and until our taxes are
proportioned to the ability and duty
of the tax payer rather than to his
ignorance, his weakness, and his
patience. But, gentlemen, we are
confronted with new cry in this
campaign. The Republican party
says Governor Mckinley now stands
for protection and reciprocity. He
was for protection alone when he
framed his bill in the House or rath-
er permitted his beneficiary to frame
it for him and firmly resisted all the
efforts of the statesman from Maine
to annex reciprocity to it, No won
der that he favors reciprocity added
by the Senate You may explore pa
ges of burlesque literature for any
thing more supremely ludicrous than
the so-called reciprocity of the Nc
Kinley bill.
1t is not reciprocity at all. 1t is
retaliation, and, worst of all, rctalia
ton on our own people. 1t Furnishes
American citizens for necessities or
follies of other people. 1t says to a
few small countries south of us; IF
you are forced by your necessities or
led by your follies to make bread
higher and scarcer to your people, we
will make shoes and sugar higher
and scarcer to our people"
And now we are told that reciproc-
ity is to be their battle cry. We are
for protection that protects, and for
the reciprocity that reciprocates. We
are in favor of protecting every man
in the enjoyment of the fruit Of his
labor, diminished only by his proper
contribution to the support of the
government, and we, are for that real
reciprocity, not through dickering
diplomacy and presidential procla-
nations, but by laws of Congress,
that removes all unnecessary obsta-
Giles between the American producer
and markets he is obliged to seek for
his products.
THE CONVENTION.
But, gentlemen, | must not keep
you from the work that stands be-
fore you. Let US take up the work
as brothers, as patriots, as Demo
Gratis. In so large convention as
this, larger in numbers than any pre-
vious gathering of our party, and
representing larger constituency
than ever before assembled in any
convention, it would be strange, ON
niously strange, if there were not
some differences of opinion on mat
tiers of policy, and some differences
of judgment or preference as to choice
of candidates. 1t is sign of free
Democracy that is many-voiced, and
within the limits of true freedom
tumutuous.
1T wears no collars; it serves no
masters 1t is not for me, gentle
men, impartial servant of you all, to
attempt TO foreshadow what your
choice should be in selecting
your candidates. You will make that
selection under your own sense Of re-
sponsibility to the people you repre-
sent and to your country One thing
only ] venture to say who ever may
be your chosen leader in this cam
paign, no kilograms will fash across
the sea from castles of absentee tar
iff barons to congratulate him. But
from the homes Of laborers, from the
fresides of toilers, from the hearts OF
all who love justice and equity
who wish aud intend that our match
less heritage Of freedom shall be com