The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1893-12-07

While we should staunchly adhere to the
principle that only the necess.tv OF revenue
iustifies the imposi ton OF tariff duties and other
feddral taxation and that they should be
limited by strict economy, we can not close ouI
eyes to the fact that conditions have grown up
among us which in justice and fairness call for
discriminating care in the distribution CT such
duties and taxation as the emergency OF our
government actually demand.
Manifcstly. il are TO aid the people direct
IL through tar ff reform, one of ts most obvious
features should be q reduction in present tarih
charges upon the necessaries Of life. The bene,
fits of such reduction should be palpaole and
substantial. seen and felt by thousands, who
would be better fed. and better clothed, and
better sheltered. These gifts would be the
willing 6enefactions of government whose
highest function is the promotion Of the welfare
OF the people No less closely related to our peo.
pies prosperity and well being is the removal
of restrictions upon the importation OF the raw
materials necessary TO our manufactures. The
world should be open 10 our national ingenuity
and enterprise.
This can not be while federal legislation.
through the imposition Of nigh tariff forbids to
American manufacturers cheap materials
as those use by their competitors. 1t is quite
obvious that the enhancement of the price Of
our manufactured prod ucts resulting from this
policy not only confines the market for these
products within our borders, to the direct dis
advantage Of our manufacturers, bu, also in
creases their cost to our citizens The in ter.
ests Of labor are certainly though indirect Y in.
y1lved in this feature of our tariff system The
sharp com mpetition and active struggle among
our manufacturers 10 supply the limi ed demand
for their goods. soon fill the narrow market to
which thev are coltinel Then follows suspen-
sion OF work in mills and factories discharge
of employees. and dis ress in the homes OF our
workingnen Eve IL the often disproved as
sertior could be made good that lower rate of
wages would result from free raw m1terills and
low tariff duties. the intelligence OF our work
ingme1 leads them quickly TO discover that
their steady emp ovmenL permitted by free
raw materials, is thr most important factor In
their relation 10 tar Il legislation.
measure has been prepared By the appro.
pirate congressional comm ttee EN- oodyiug tar
if reform on the lines herein suggested. which
will be promptl- submitted for legislative ac-
ton. 1t is the result OF much prtriotic and un-
selfish work and believe il de ais wi h its sub
ject consistent and as thoro ugh'y as existing
Conditions permit. I am satisfied that the re-
duced tariff provided for in the proposed leCis-
lation, added to existing internal revenue taxa
ton, will. in the near future, though perhaps
not immediately, produce sufficient revenue 70
meet :he needs of the gJvcrnment.
The committee. after full consideration, and
to provide against temporary deficiency
which may exist before the business Of The
country adius iself to the new tariff schsd-
ules, have wisely embraced in their plan few
additional internal revenue taxes including
small tax upon incomes derived from certain
corporate Investments
These new assessments are not My abs solute'y
Just and easily borne, but they have the further
merit of being such as can be remitted without
unflvorabIe business dist roance whenever tho
necessity of their imposition no longer exists.
In my great desire for the success of III
measure can not r rain the suggestion that
It's success can only be attained b means OF
unseltsh counsel on the part Of the friends OF
tariff reform, and as result of their willing
ness to subordinate personal desires and am
bi,ions to the neral good. The local interests
affected by the proposed reform are so numer-
Gus and so varied that If all are insisted upon
the legislation embodyiug the reform must in
evitabl fall.
In conclusion. my intense feeling Of resnonsi
biity inpeis me 10 invoke for the manifold in.
terests of "a generous and confiiing peope the
most scrupulous care and to pledge my most
willing support 10 every legislative effort for
the Advancement of the greatness and pros
perity Of our beloved country.
GRovcR CLEVELAND.