Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1893-12-05
REFORM OF TIE TARIFF.
Nothing of Important a Nature Now
COnironts the Country.

Tie duty OF public economy is also Of i'm
men-e Importance IL its intimate and necessary
enue TO meet government expenses and yet re-
duci:ig the peoples burden OF federal taxation.
After Il lard struggle tariff reiorm is directly
be orc us. Nothing so important ciaims
attention and nothing clearly presents it.
self rs both opportunity aid "A duty-;tn
opportunity to deserve the gratitude of our
fellow citizens and a duty imposed upon us
Wy our oft-repeated professions and by the en-
phatic mandate of the people. After full dis
cu,-ion our Country,ren have spoken in favor
Of this reform. and they have oonfded the
work of its Accomplishment to the hands Of
those who are solemnly pledged to il. II there
is anything III the theory II Il representation
in public places OF the people AID
their desires, If puhlic officers really
the servants, o: the people. and if political
lr, misses ana professions nave any binding
force. our failure 10 give the relief SO long
awaited will tie sheer recrcancy. Nothing
should intervene to distract oar attention or
disturb our effort until this reform is accom-
pill he'd 10y wise and careful legislation. VIII IL
we should stauncay adhere to the principle
that only the necessity of revenue lustities the
imposition of tariff duties and otner federal
taxation. and that They should Ice limited by
strict economy. We cannot close our eyes ~ the
fact that conditions have grown UP among us
which IN Justice and fairness IL for discrim-
mating care in the distribution of such
cies Of our government actually demand.
Manifcsty. if we are to aid the people directly
through tariff reform, one oi it, most obvious
features should be a reduction ia present tariff
charges upon the necessaries of life. The bene-
fits OF such a reduction would I've palpable and
Mas m t tern s i aa i by cssS aa w s
ter sheltered. These gifts should he the will
ing bsnefactions of Il government whose high
CT func ion is the promotion of the welfare "
the people.
Open to National Enterprise.
Not less closely related to our peoples pros
pcrity and well being is the removal of restric-
lions upon the importation OF the
features The world should he open to
our national ingenuity and enterprise.
This cannot he while federal legislation,
through the imposition Of hi:;h tariff forolds
to American manufacturers as cheap materials
| as those Used by III ir councillors. II is quite
oJviou that the enhancement vi the price of
Our manufactured roducts resulting from
this policy. not only confines the Inar,et for
these products within our own borders. TO tn.
direct disadvantage of our manufacturers but
also incrca - their ost To our citizens.
The intere IS Of ,bor are certainly. thou. Il
tariff system. The sharp competiti N
and actisc struggle anonc our man
ufactIrers to supply tn. i'm ted demand
which they airs ccnSncs4I Then follows IA sr,s-
pension Of work in mills and factories, n dis
charge ut employees. and distress IN the homes
OF our workingmen. Even II the often dis
proved assertion could be made good that a
lower rate Of wages would result from free raw
materials ANA low tariff duties, the intelligence
q: our workingncn Iesais them quickly to dis
cover that their s.e2dy employment. permit.
| ted by free raw materials, Is the most import.
ant factor III their rclatiofto tariff legislation.
New Tariff Bill Prepared.
measure has becn prepared by the appro.
pirate congressional committee emboiying
tariff reform on the liEes herein suggested
which will lie PROMPTLY submitted for legisa
| tive action. 1t is tine result OF much patriotic
and unselii-h work. and believe It deals with
its subject consistently and as thoroughly a>
existing conditions permit. am satisfied that
| the reduced tariff duties provided for in the
PROPOSED Legislation. added to the existing in
| icrnal revenue taxation. will in the
near future. thvus,A Perhaps not ininle
diately, produce, sufficient revenue to
The committee after full consideration and e
provide against u TEN: deficiency which
| may exist befOre the business of the country
adjusts itself to the new tariff schedules, have
| wisely embraced ia their plan a few additional
internal revenue taxes. including small tax
upon intomes derived frosn certain corporate
| Investments. These new assessments are no,
have the further merit of bsing such rs can b,
| reritted without unfavorable business dis
| turbance Whenever the Necessity Ut the impO
sitlon 10 longer exists
In my great desire for the success Of this
measure I cannot restrain the suggestion that
/ its success can only he obtained BY means u
unscifish counsel On the part OF the friends o.
tariff reform and rs a result Of their willing
ness to subordinate personal desires and ambi
tons to the general good. Tho local interest
affected 10y the proposed reform are 50 numer
GUS and &C varied that if all ar,
insisted upon, the legislation embody
ing the reform must inevitably fail
In conclusion, my intense feeling OF RESPONSE
| bility impGls ire to invoke for the manifold in
ters,sts OF generous and confiding people, IN,
most scrppuious care aud 10 Dlsige my willins