The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-12-05
TARIFF REFORM.

''The duty of public economy is also
Of immense Importance in its intimate
md necessary relation to the task now
in hand of providing a revenue to meet
the government expenditures, and yet
reducing the peoples burden of federal
taxation. After hard struggle tariff
eforn. is directly before us. After full
discussion our countrymen have spoken
in favor of this reform, and they have
eonlided the work of its accomplish
nent to the hands of those who are
iolemnly pledged to It. If there Is any
ching in the theory Of a representation
n public places of the people and their
lesires, If political officers are really
he servants of the people, and IL
political promises and professions have
my binding force our failure to give
he relief so long awaited viii be sheer
'ecreancy. Nothing should intervene
10 distract our attention or disturb
,ur effort until this reform is accom-
)llshed by wise and careful legislation.
While we should staunchly adhere to
he principle that only the necessity
II revenue justifles the imposition OF
tariff duties and other federal taxation,
md that they should be limited by
strict economy, we cannot close our
yes to the fact that conditions have
'rown up among us which in justice
md fairness call for discriminating care
n the distribution OF such duties and
aXation as the emergency of our gov
irnment actually demands. Manifestly
we are to aid the people directly
through tariff reform, one of its OBJ
dous features should be q reduction
n the present tariff charges upon the
leGcssarles Of life. Not less closely re-
ated to our people, prosperity and wells
being is the removal of restrictions upon
he importation of raw material nee
ssary to our manufacturer. The world
hould be open to our national ingenu-
ty and enterprises,
This cannot be while federal legis-
alton through the imposition Of high
ariff forbids to Americans manufac-
urers as cheap materials as those used
" their competitors. 1t is quite OBJ
ious that the enhancement of the
rice OF our manufactured products
esultng from this policy only confines
he market for these products within
ur own borders To the direct dlsad-
antage Of our manufacturers, but also
Increases their cost to our citizens.
he interests of labor are certainly
though Indirectly involved in this
eature of our tariff system. Even II
he often disproved assertion could be
iade good that lower rate of wages
you'd result from free raw material
nd low tariff duties, the intelligence
f our worliingmen leads them quickly
o discover that their steady employ
nent, II permitted by free materials.
5 the most important factor in their
elatlon to tariff legislation. A measure
,as been prepared by the appropriate
olnmittee embodying tariff reform on
he lines herein suggested which will
promptly submitted for legislative
ction. 1t Is the result of much patri-
tic and unsel6sh work, and believe
{ deals with its subject consistently
nd thoroughly as existing conditions
ermlt. The committee, after a full
consideration, and to provide against
temporary deficiency which may ex-
Il before the business Of the country
djusts itself to the new tariff sched-
les, have wisely embraced in their
Ian few additional internal revenue
axes, including a small tax upon in
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