The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-11-28


by all except two classes OF our people.
The exceptions will be the party
schelners who desire to make cam
paign capital and are willing to make
it out OF lies. and the selfish bene-
fciaries OF McKinleyism, who will
have to com down to honest profits
and stop picking the pockets OF the
poor.
The bill may or may not have faults
of detail. This can only be ascer-
tanned through the searching analysis
Of Congressional debate; but it is as
suredly drawn on the best and most
liberal principles of modern economic
thought. 1t is the most scientific
tariff bill that has ever been drafted
In this country; 1t is the most benefi-
cent in its aims and the most careful
In its adjustments of relations of
things; it is calculated to create a
minimum of alarm, a minimum of
disturbance in III and indus
try, and yet a maximum of benefit to
both and Of advantage to the general
body of consumers.
1t is idle. at this time, to waste
words upon the theory that the Dem
ocratic platform pledges the party to
a horizontal tariff covering every
article OF importation. The Sun
manndsrs and drivels and scolds
about 1t like a Soul and rheumatic old
woman. But the San does not be-
lisvs one word it says. The Sun is
now and has always has been a high
protection paper, an organ of Sam
Vandalism, an admirer of Mckinley,
q retrograde force opposing the pro-
gressive economic ideas of the age.
Its hatred of President Cleveland fall
ing in with its old ingrainsd ideas
upon this topic has suggested to it
the guerilla campaign against its own
party which it has kept up ever since
the last election, under the thin and
cynical pretence of staunch adherence
to the party platform.
The Chicago platform asserts the
unquestionable principle that, under
the Constitution. the only purpose
for which Congress is empowered to
impose a customs tax on imports is
tina of raising a revenue for the sup
port of the Government. To this we
most heartily subscribe. But there is
not II word, expressed or implied. in
the Constitution which forbids Con-
gress to assess duties ia any way that
may be most convenient and advan-
tageous. whether for revenue raising
or for the general interests of the
country. 1t is within the power Of
Congress to assess the entire revenue
of tho country upon on. commodity,
leaving all the others free, or upon
any number of commodities, and to
claim that Congress is bound to tag
all alike, is one Of the most extraor.
binary peryersions of reason that we
have ever heard of.
10 the new bill, the free list is on
the. whole, the most characteristic
feature. 1t embodies the Democratic
theories of governmental assistance to
the industries Of the country. The
principles of Democracy are opposed
to bountiss whether paid to manu-
facturers by the Government or
wrung from the pockets OF theacon-
sulper by a practically prohibitive
tariff. but they are equally opposed
to placing a tax upon American en-
terprise and industry by compelling
to buy the materials Tor labor in an
artiiclaily dear market. Chairman
Wilson OF the Committee on Ways
and Means, which prepared the bill,
speaks thus upon this point
7hs seiasss Innovation sf tbs bill ia its large
free list Of .tha raw materials. Taxes upon
productions are double wrongs. They gather
and cumulats on the consumers Of the dnished
product. They hurt labor BY narrowing the
market for what It produces. Coal and iron are
the foundations Of modern industries. Material
progress d measured By the amount Of the ir
consumption. No other country Gao supply
them ss abupdautiy or chsaply AZ We can. No
possible compsttfHi CHI latsfEefs s5kbOsEcwn
producers . few miles In the interior OF tho
country. Remofsnsss from the sources of sup
Ply Is in isssif enough disadvantage TO any sec.
ton Of the country. without any further bur-
lasns in tariff taxes, Untaxed ores, coal. ium-
her, wood, and otnsr things must Immensely
stimulate production in csrtaIn parts Of our
tcoantry,
In these remarks. the keynote OF
the Svho3p measure as we'll as of the