Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-11-09
DrNOCFArIU rARIFF LEGISLATION.

DEMOCRATIC TARIFF LEGISLATION.
MCKINLEY and the rest Of the Re
publican brethren, who are hIde-bound
on the tariff issue, and are willing to
sacrifce almost everything else TO pre-
serve McKinIeyssm, consider the free
trade howl against the Democrats their
trump card and they have played it in
political 'skin gaues"-particuiarly in
Ohlo-for an it is worth and like the
Midway Plaisance fakirs they have come
out way ahead simply by bowling louder
than their opponents. On the Midway
the iakir who could make the greatest
noise aud tell the largest lies about his
show attracted the biggest crowd and
bnked the most "suckers."
There is very little difference be-
tween the Midway money-making and
the Republican yote-makiug methods at
this stage Of the political game.
The howl about free trade is as un-
founded as the possibility Of its adoD-
ton on the present basis of the govern
menrs expenditures, which require all
or more than all the revenues raised by
the government from tariff as well
Is internal taxation. Free trade
would DO impossible even though an out
and out free trade party were given alb
--salute control OF legisIa,ion-and the
Democratic party is not a free trade
party. Though 10 is cardinal Demo
cratic principal that since under our
constitution aud laws all men have
equal rights and no man shall be taxed
for the benefit OF another, this does not
mean free trade as Republican editors
and orators delight TO tell their readers
and audiences.
The sole aim Of tariff reform ard Of
the Democratic party is to eQualize tax
alton aud reform the unjust and vicious
system which allows one man, through
government aid, to become suddenly a
millionaire, while by the same process
of taxation thousands become poor.
Free trade does not enter into the dis
enssion, AND il cannot while the amount
NJ revenue that must be raised by tariff
taxation is far more than sufficient to
Urotsctever legitimate industry in the
9asd.
II, view OF the impoverished condition
g, which the late Republican admins
tration left the Treasury it is a matter
of serious discussion among the most
ardent tariff reformers whether or not
tariff taxes can be reduced toauy appre-
ciable extent and at the same time suid-
oio,t revenue raised. To meet such pos
sible deficiency under the new tariff bin
nroDositlon to increase the internal
reyerpe taxon tobacco and beer has been
advanced. but we do not be-
ueve it win 20 through. Tobacco and
beer are among the poor mans Injuries.
Like the rich mans champagne aud
fine distilled liquors, they are often
abused, but the fact contains no reason
wbv the former should be made to bear
the burden Of increase, since such In
crease would simply either increase the
cost. or deteriorate the quality
The tax on the poor mans tobacco
and beer ought to be reduced rather
than increased, and If that is not prac-
ticable il should be kept as it is. Dis
titled liquors, or spirits, could well
stand an increase, and so could the man
with the big income, an increase sUfi-
oient TO make up the loss sustained
now by the burdeosome taxation on
the poor mans articles Of real necessity.
However, this is discussing the mat
ter a very long way ahead and on the
basis Of rumors that are doubtless
without foundation.