Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-12-09

grown up among us which in justice and fair
ness call for discriminating care In the distrt-
button OF such duties and taxation as the
emergencies OF our Government actually de-
mand.
NanifestIy IL we are to aid the people d.
recty through tarin reform, one OF It's most
obvious features should be a reduction I'm
present tariff charges upon the necessarfes OF
life The benefits of such a reduction would
be palpable and substantial, seen and felt by
thousands who would be better fed and better
clothed and better sheltered. These gifts
should be the willing benefactions OF Gov
ernment whose highest function IL the pro-
motion Of the welfare Of the people.
Not less closely related to our peoples pros
perity and well-beinR is the removal OF re-
strictons upon the importation Of the raw
materials necessary to our manufactures.
The world should be open to our national in
gcnuity and enterprise. This cannot be while
Federal legislation. through the imposition OF
high tariff. forbids to American manufactur-
ers as cheap materials as those used by their
competitors
II Is quite obvious that the enhancement of
the price OF our manufactured products re-
suting from this policy not only confines the
market for these products within our own
borders, TO the direct disadvantage OF our
manufacturers, but also increases their cost
to our citizens.
The interests of labor are certainly, though
Indirectly, involved in this feature OF our tar
IN system. The sharp competition and ac-
tive struggle among our manufacturers 70
supply the limited demand for their goods.
soon All tGe narrow market to which they are
consigned. Then follows a suspension OF work
in mills and factories, discharge of en-
ployes, and distress in the homes our working
men.
Even IL the often disproved assertion could
be made good that lower rate OF wages
would result from free raw materials and low
tartf duties, the intelligence of our working
men loads them quickly TO discover that their
steady employment, permitted by free raw
materials. ia the most important factor In
their relation TO tariff legislation.
measure has been prepared by the appro-
pirate Congressional committee embodying
tarif reforms on the lines herein suggested.
which will be promptly submitted for legisla-
tive action II is the result or much patriotic
and unselfish work. and believe 1t deals with
its subject consistently and as thoroughly as
existing conditions permit.
am satisfied that the reduced tariff duties
provided for in the proposed legislation, added
to existing internal revenue taxation will, in
the near future, though perhaps not immedi-
ately, produce sufficient revenue to meet the
ne Ids OF the Government.
The committee. after full consideration, and
to provide against a temporary deficiency
which may exist before the business of the
country adjusts itself to the new tarin sched-
ues, have wisely embraced In their plan rev
additional internal revenue taxes. including
small tax upon incomes derived from certain
corporate investments.
These new assessments are not only abso-
lutely Just and easily borne. but they have the
further merit of being such as can be remttted
without unfavorable business disturbances
whenever the necessity OF their imposition no
longer exists.
In my great desire for the success of this
measure cannot restrain the suggestion that
its success can only be attained by means OF
unsellsh counsel on the part OF the friends OF
tariff reform and as a result of their willing
, ness to subordinate personal desires and am
billions to the public good The local interests
affected by the proposed reform are SO numer-
ous and so varied that II all are insisted upon
the legislation embodying the reform must
inevitably fail.
In conclusion. my intense feeling OF respou.
, sibiity impes IN To invoke for the manifold
interests OF generous and confding people
the most scrupu Gus care, aud to pledge my
willing support to every legislative effort FOL
the advancement of the greatness and pros
perity of our beloved country.
GROVER CLEVELAND