Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-12-07

Not less closely related to our peoples
prosperity and well-being Is the removal
OF restrictions upon the importation Of
raw materials necessary to our manufact-
ures. The world should be open to our
national ingenuity and Enterprise This
can not be while Federal legislation,
through the imposition of high tariff, for
bids to American manufactures as cheap
materials as those used by their com
petitors. 1t is quite obvious that the en-
hancement OF the price of our manufac-
tu red products resulting from this policy
not only confines the market for these
products within our own borders, to the
direct disadvantage of our manufacturers,
but also increase their cost to our citizens.
The interests of labor are certainly,
though indirectly, involved in this feature
of our tariff system. The sharp compsti
tion and active struggle among our man
ufacturers to supply the limited demand
for their goods, soon fill the narrow mar
ket to which they are confined. Then
follows suspension of work in mills and
factories, discharge OF employees, and
distress in the homes of our workiugmen.
Even if the often disproved assertion
could be made good that lower rate Of
wages would result from free raw ma
terials and low tariff duties, the intelli-
gence of our workingmen leads them
quickly to discover that their steady en-
ployment, permitted by free raw materials,
is the most important factor in their rela-
tion to tariff legislation.
A measure has been prepared by the
appropriate congressional committee en-
bodying tariff reform on the lines herein
suggested, which will be promptly sub.
mitted for legislative action. 1t is the re-
suit of much patriotic and unselfish work
and l believe it deals with its subject CON
sistently and as thoroughly as existing
conditions permit.
l am satisfied that the reduced tariff
duties provided for in the proposed legs-
lation, added to existing internal-revenue
taxation, will, in the near future, though
perhaps not immediately, produce suffi-
cient revenue to meet the needs of tne
government.
The committee, after full consideration,
and to provide against temporary difici-
ency which may exist before the business
OF the country adjusts itself to the new
tariff schedules, have wisely embraced in
their plan few additional internal revenue
taxes, including small tax upon incomes
deri ed from certain corporate invest
ments.
These new assessments are not only ab-
solutely just and easily borne, but they
| have the further merit of being such
| can be remitted without unfavorable bust
ness disturbance whenever the necessity
of their imposition no longer exists
In my great desire Tor the success OF
this measure l can not restrain the suges-
tion that its success can only be attained
by means of uuselfsh counsel on the part
of the friends OF tariff reform and as re-
suit OF their willingness to subordi-
nate personal desires and ambi-
tions to the general good. The local in
terests affected by the proposed reform are
so numerous and so varied that if all are
insisted upon the legislation embodying
the reform must inevitably fail.
In conclusion, my intense feeling of re-
sponsibllity impels me to invoke for the
manifold interests of a generous and con-
fiding people the most scrupulous care
and to pledge my willing support to every
Legislative effort for the advancement OF
the greatness and prosperity of our be-
loved country. GROVER CLEVELAND