Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1893-12-08
TARIFF REFORM.
After Hard Struggle the Question Is
fs Directly Before Us.


At this time when depleted public treas
ury confronts us, when many of our people
are engaged in hard struggle for the neces-
sartes of life and when enforced economy is
pressing upon the great mass of our country
men. desire to urge with all the earnestness
atmy command that congressional legislation
oe 20 limited by strict economy as to exhibit
IN appreciation Of the condition of the treas
ury and sympathy with the strained circum-
stances Of our fellow citizens.
The duty of public economy is also of i'm
mense Importance in its intimate and neces-
sary relation to the task now in hand of pro-
v1d1ng revenue to meet government expendi-
federal taxation.
After a Hard Struggle
tariff 1eform is directly before US. No thing
90 important claims our attention and moth
Ing SO clearly presents itself as both an oppor-
tun1ty and a duty-an opportunity to deserve
the gratitude of our fellow citizens, duty i'm.
posed upon US by our oft repeated professions
and BY the emphatic mandate of the people
After full discussion our countrymen have
spoken In favor of this reform and they have
conf1ded the work of its accomplishment in
the hands Of those who are
solemnly Pledged to 1t.
. If there Is anything in the theory of rep
resentation in public places of the people and
their desires; If public officers are really the
servants of the people, and its political prom
1ses and professions have any binding force
our failure to give the relief so long awaited
viii be sheer recreancy. Nothing should in
tervene to distract our attention or disturb
our effort until this reform is accom- plished by
wise and careful legislation.
Discriminating Care Necessary.
While we should staunchly adhere to the
principle that only the necessity of revenue
1ustifies the imposition OF tariff duties and
other federal taxation, and that they should
be limited by strict economy we cannot close
our eyes to the fact that conditions have
grown up among US which in justice and
fairness call for discriminating care in the
distribution of such duties and taxation as
demand.
Nantes tly if we are to aid the people di-
rectly through tariff reform one of its most
obvious features sh ould be q reduction in the
present tariff charges.
Upon the Necessaries 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 is the pro-
motion OF the welfare Of the people. Not less
closely related to our peoples prosperity and
Weu-be1ng Is the rem oval Of restrictions upon
the importation Of the raw materials neces-
sary to our manufac turers. The world should
be open to our national ingenuity and enter
prise. This cannot be while federal legisla-
ton, through the imposition of high tariff,
1orDlds to American manufacturers as cheap
material as those used by their competitors
1t Is quite obvious that the enhancemento Of
the price OF our manufactured products re-
sulting from this policy not only confines the
m arket for these products within our own
h0TdHT4
manufacturers, but also increases their cost to
our citizens.
The Interests of Labor
are certainly though Indirectly involved in
this feature of our tariff system. The sharp
competition and active struggle among our
manufacturers to supply the limited demand
Tor their goods soon fills the narrow market
to which they are confined. Then follows q
suspension Of work in mills and factories, a
discharge Of employees, and distress in the
homes of our wOrkingmen. Even if the often
aisproved assertion could be made good that q
lower rate of wages would result from free
raw materials and low tariff, does not the in
g Gt GT bg lead then
ment permitted by free raw materials is the
most important factor in their relation to
terth legislation?
Wilson Bill Commended.
A measure has been prepared by the appro-
pirate congressional committee embodyin
tariff reform on the lines herein suggested.
which will be promptly submitted for legisla-
tive action. 1t is the result of much patriotic
and unselfish work, and believe it eals with
its subject consistently and thoroughly as ex-
listing conditions permit. I 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 Immediately, produce
sumc1ent revenue to meet the needs of the
government.
The Tax on Corporations.
The committee, after full consideration and
to provide for temporary deficiency, which
may exist before the business of the country
adjusts itself to the new tariff schedules, have
wisely embraced in their plan few addi-
tional internal revenue taxes, including a
small tax upon incomes derived from certain
corporate investments These new assess
ments are not only absolutely just and
ea lily borne, but they have the further merit
ot being such as can be remitted without un-
favorable disturbance whenever the necessity
OF their Inn position no longer exists.
In my great desire for the success Of this
measure cannot restrain the sugy yestion that
Its success can only be obtained by means of
0pselfsh counsel on the part Of the friends
q tariff reform and as a result Of
their Willingness to subordinate personal
1Sslies ana amDltlons to the general good.
The local interests affected by the proposed
reform are SO numerous and SO varied that if
All are insisted upon the legislation embody-
ing the reform must inevitably fail. :
In Conclusion.
In conclusion, my intonse feeling Of re-.
sponstbility impels me to invoke for +, 9
manifold interests of a generous an conf. g
people the most scrupulous care. aad to o. ge
my willing support to every Legislative
Tor the advancement of the greatness -.
prosperity Of our beloved country.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Washington, Dec. 4. 1893.