The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-01
SEATTLE. rRTDAY. DEC. 4.
THE NEW TAarss BILL.
The tariff plank Of the Chicago platform
reads as foIlows.

Inc tarlH pi2Ak OF tue 1at10ko Pio,.S4.A,
reads as follows:
I'VE denounoe Republican protection as
q fraud, robbery of the great majority OF
the American people for the benefit OF the
few. We declare IL TO be fundamental
principle Of the Democratic party that the
Federal government has no constitutional
power TO enforce and collect tariff duties,
except for the purpose of revenue only !;
and demand that the collection OF such
taxes shall be limited to the necessities OF
the government honestly and economi-
caiiy administered.
This Is substantially call and promise
for the enactment of the British revenue
tariff. Great Britain Is popularity known
as free trade" country. but raises GER
tain revenues by means Of custom duties
on tea, coffee, ETC.. which do not enter into
competition with British. grown or British
made articles. No civilized nation ever
adopted absolute free trade" bst tariff
FOR revenue only means "free trade" as IL
il commonly understood; the kind Of
revenue policy that Great Britain has
adopted. It means tariff levied on
articles that cannot be produced in this
country, and under the tariff plank OF the
Chicago platform there can be no ''inci-
dental protection" for that was DELHI
erately rejected after full discussion and
thrown overheard to make room for "a
tariff for revenue only"
This tariff plank. rejected by the Demo-
cratic national convention for the Neal
Watterson plank of "a tariff for revenue
ootv 10 ysads a. foffows.
"But in making reduction in taxes II Is
not proposed TO injure any domestic in
dustries, but rather TO promote their
healthy growth. From the foundation of
this government. taxes collected at tho
customs houses have been the chief source
Of Federal revenue. Such they must con-
tinue 10 be. Moreover. many industries
have come to rely upon legislation for sue
cessful continuance, 90 that any change of
law must be At every step regardfni Of the
labor and capital thus involved. The pro-
cess OF reform must DO subject to the exc
crtion OF this plain dictate Of justice"
The Chicago platform declares protec-
ton not only fraud but entirely uncon-
st,tutionai. Its execution would require
the elimination Of protection from the
present tariff and the imposition of duties
on tea, coffee. sugar, molasses and other
non-compctitive articles of popular con-
sumption which the Republican protective
policy now logically places on the free list
The original pro,sctionist plank In the
Chicago platform was repudiated by the
convention and the Neal Watterson tariff
for revenue only" plank was adopted In its
place.
Mr.. Cleveland, In his letter OF acceptance,
September %. fsoo, said:
''The dogma Is now boldly presented tn at
tariff taxation is jusiitiab.e for the express
purpose and intent of thereby promoting
especial Interests and enterprises. Such a
proposition is 80 clearly contrary TO fAe spirit
Of car oonstaafioYi. and 30 directly encour-
ages the disturbance. by seIhshness and
greed, of patriotic sentiment, that Its state
ment would rudely shock our people, IL
they had not already been insidiously
aliarrd from the safe landmarks of prin-
eiple."
II this means anything ID commits the
president TO the tariff plank of the Chicago
platform, which dsnonnces protection rs
unconstitutional. and cieveiand's message
of issT was square declaration for the
principles OF the British tariff for revenue
only. Nevertheless, Mr.. Cleveland and his
friends have always been exceedingly
tender-footed on this subject. and Clave.
land has behaved like a great elephan.
who was reluctant 90 put his foot on the
tariff for revenue only plank of his plat.
form because he sees clearly IL will no,
bear his weight.
Tae Democrats OF California during the
last campaign printed their Interpretation
Of the Chicago platform on their hand bills
as follows.
Harrsh for
GROVER CI ENEIASD
AND FREE TkAnKI
p0wn with MonapellsEsl
We Want Free Woai from Australia
AAffNy "a us has fy4sss