Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-09-30
He Declares His Conviction in the
Merit of Civil Service
Reform.
A Dollar Of Cold aid 81 Silver
Should be of Equal
Value.
Parental Rights, the Worlds Fair
and Other Matters Con-
Sidered.

New York, Sept. 26.-Mr. Cleveland's
letter OF acceptance was made public
mis- evening. 1t is addressed to VIM.
NJ. Wilson, and other members OF the
notification committee. The following
is liberal synopsis:
In response to the formal nOtitlca-
ton Of the nomination to the preSi-
uency by the national democracy l
nope L may be permitted to say ut
the outset that continued reflection
and observation have convinced me III
my adherence to the opinion Which L
have heretofore plainly and publicly de.
clared, touching the questions involved
III this canvass. This is a time above
ali others when these questions should
be considered i'll lie light afforded
by some apprehension OF the principles
upon Which our government is based,
and clear understanding Of the re-
lation it bears to the people for whose
benefit it was created. We shall thus
be supplied with test by which the
value OF any proposition relating to
the maintenance and administration OF
our government can be aScerElineG,
and by which justly and honestly
every political question can be judged.
Ii the doctrines OF theories are pre-
sented which do not satisfy this loyal
AmericaniSm, it must pronounce them
false and miScheviouS.
The protection of the people in the
exclusive use and enjoyment OF their
property and earnings constitutes the
especial purpose and mission OF our free
government. Ibis design is SO inter
woven with the structure Of our plan
OF rule that failure to protect citizens
in such use and enjoyment of their
rights i'll these matters by the govern
ment itself is u betrayal of the peoples
trust. We undertake to build a great
nation upon u plan of our own. To
furnish the means for the accomplish
ment Of uatiOEal objects the American
people are willing through federal tax
alton to surrender a part of their earn-
ings and income. Tariff legislation
presents the familiar form OF federal
taxation and results rs surely in a tax
upon the daily life ct our people as
Il tribute paid directly into the hands
of the tax gatherers. We feel the bur
den of these tariff taxes too Dalpably
to be persuaded by any sophistry that
they do hot exist, OF are paid by for
eignerS.
such taxes are Only jUStiiable for
the purpose of maintaining the govern
ment and furnishing the means for the
accomplishment OF legitimate pur-
poses. This is taxation under the op-
Grafton OF tariff for revenue. 1t
manifestly enjoins strict economy in
public expenditures and their limita-
ton to legitimate public uses, inas1nuch
as it exhibits absolute extortion any
e1action by way Of taxation, from the
substance of the people, beyond the
necessities of a careful and proper adj
ministradon of the government.
Opposed to this theory the dogma
is now boldly presented that tariff taxa
ton is justitiaDle for the express pur-
pose and intent of promoting special
interests and enterprises. Such "a sup
position is so clearly contrary to the
spirit of our constitution, and so direct
ly encourages disturbance, by selfish
ness and greed, of patriotic sentiment,
that this statement would rudely shock
our people if they had not already been
inSidiously allured from the safe land
marks of principle. Never has the
honest desire for national growth, a
patriotic devotion to country, and a
sincere regard for those who toll, been
so betrayed to support pernicious doc
trines. The plea that our infant in
dustries should be fostered did service
until discredited by our stalwart
growth. Then followed the exigencies
of a terrible war, and now, after long
period of peace, when our overburdened
countrymen ask for relief and restora-
ton to the fuller enjoyment of their in
comes and earnings, they are met by
the claim that tariff taxation
for the sake of protection
is the American system, a ccntinu-
ance of which is necessary in order
that high wages may be paid our work
for our farm products. These pretenses
should no longer deceive. The truth is,
such system is directly antagonistic to
every sentiment of justice and fairness
of which the Americans are pre- emf
nently proud. 1t is also a truth, that
while our workingmen and farmers can.
least of all our people, defend them
selves against the harder home life
which such tariff taxation produces,
the workingman is suffering from the
importation and employment of pauper
labor, instigated by professed friends,
and seeking security in organized CO
operation. He still waits for division
of the advantages secured to the en-
ployer under cover of a generous solici-
tude for his wages, while the farmer is
learning that the prices of his products
are fixed in foreign markets where he