The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-25
BE CAREFUL WITH THAT "FREE
JIsT."

We warn the Ways and Means COM
mittee that in the tendency towards
free list" which it is developing, it is
straving from Democratic principle. it is
! unconsciously marching into Republican
protectionism, 1t is setting up injusuces'
and II IS sowing seeds Of discussions that
will sprout and grow into great political
upos trees. Under just government of
equal laws which raises its revenues from
duties on imports there is no such thing as
a free list" Unless for such articles as
quinine, necessary TO the public health, or
works OF art refining to the public taste
But If some of the articles which enter into
the every day business and life OF the
people are to be taxed. then all should be
equally taxed, and there should be no ex-
empuons whatever unless for purposes Ike
those Indicated. All should equally bear
their share of the burden alike. This is
equality and this is equity. There should
be no such thing as free iron ore, or free
coal, or free potatoes, or free sugar. But
if any of them are imported they should
bear an equitable share Of the charges
that are to be imposed.
We know of no one Of the demagogues
pleas so offensive TO us as that OF tine
moor mans free breakfast table" Why
should the poor man have free breakfast
table any more than the rich man? why
! should not the poor man contribute TO the
support of the government in proportion
TO his means as well as the rich man? lie
receives the benefit and protection Of the
laws-shafl ne not. then. aid in upboiuing
and maintaining the laws? II the poor
man is to be a citizen, If he is to have an
equal voice in controlling and directing
the government under which he Is 10 live,
then he must bear his proportional share
of the burdens of that government and he
is no longer a self-respecting citizen If
his load is lifted from his shoulders and
placed upon the shoulders Of others who
are under no just obligation to bear 1t.
The poor man should no more have a
free breakfast table" than ne should have
free blankets, or free beds or a free house
10 1lNe M Ol AlSS any lAihS OI9S' INV PN'A
mans breakfast table should be no
more sacred than any other part Of the
poor mans estate. and all Of his estate
should be taxed exactly as the rich mans
estate is.
The Ways and Means Committee would
do well to pause and think for awhile on
these obvious truths. They are now walk
ing on the thinnest Of ice, that may give
way at any time.
But can it be possible that Mr.. wilson,
! Chairman OF the Ways ard Mears Com
mittee. is correctly reported to be in favor
Of putting iron ore, coei, and sugar, and
other things on the free list? We cannot
believe this TO be true. Mr. Wilson is es-
senually theorist. and his public life has
shown him 10 be so far a consisten,
theorist and a sound Democrat. The
Democratic theory is that taxation SHAH
be for revenue only and shall be imposed
equally on all subjects Of taxation. How
can MIR. Wilson consistently with this
theory allow either one of these articles
or any other 10 be brought into this coun-
try free of duty? Upon what principle
win he say that my coat shall be taxed
but that your coat shall be free Of tax?
How Will he say that the dye stuffs sent
here 10 color a manufacturer cloth shall
pay a tax 70 the government, but that the
a. Oh ore sent here TO o. made into car
wheels shall bear no p.r' ~ the public
burdens? He cannot say this consist
entity with Democratic uOc,riAe, cOisist
entity with fair and equal taxation, or
consistently with his own often announced
theories We do not believe he holds to
any such doctrines.