The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1893-12-09

A. ter b ard struggle, tariff reform is
directly before US. Nothing so impor-
tant claims eur attention and nothing SO
clearly presents itself as both an oppor-
tunity and duty-an opportunity to de-
serve the gratitude of our fellow citizens;
duty imposed upon US by our oft-re
peated professions and by the emphatic
mandate of the people. After full dis
cussion, our countrymen have spoken in
favor OF this reform, and they have con-
fided the work of its accomplishment to
the hands of those who are soiemnly
pledged to 1t. If there is anything In
the theory of representation in public
places of the people and their desires,
if political officers are really the servants
of the people and if political promises
and professions have any binding force.
our failure to give the relief SO long
awaited will be sheen recreancy. Moth
ing should intervene to distract our at
tention or disturb our effort until this re-
form 10 accomplished by wise and care
full legislation. While we should stanchly
adhere to the principle that enly the
necessity of revenue iustifies the imposi-
ton of tariff duties and other federal tax
alton and that they should be limited by
strick economy, we cannot close our eyes
to the fact tina. conditions have grewn up
among Us which in justice and fairness
call for discriminating care ID the dlstri-
button of such duties and taxation as the
emergency of our government actually
demands.
REDUCTION IN NECEssARIEs.
Manifestly, if we are to aid the people
directly through tariff reform, one of its
obvious features should be a reduction
in the present tariff charges upon the
necessaries of life. The benefits of such
reduction would be palpable, and subs
stsntially seen and felt by thousands who
would be better fed, better clothed and
better sheltered. These gifts should be
the willing benefactions of government
whose highest function is the promotion
of the welfare of the people. Not less
closely related to our peoples prosperity
and well-being is the removal of re-
strlctions upon the importation of raw
material necessary to our manufactures
The world should be open to our national
ingenuity and enterprise. This cannot
be while federai legislation through the
of high tariff forbids to Amer
those used by their competitors. 1t is
quite obvious that the enhancement of
the price of our manufactured products
resulting from this policy not only cen..
fines the market for these products with
in our own berders, to the direct disad-
vantage of our manufacturers, but also
increases their cost to our citizens.
THE INTERESTS OF LABOR,
The interests of labor are certainly
though indirectly involved in this feat
ure of our tariff system. The sharp cons
petition and active struggle among our
to supply the united de
mand for their goods soon fills the mar
row market to which they are con6nel |
Then follows a suspension of the working |
Of the mills and factories, discharge of |
employees and distress In the homes of our
Even if the often dis
proved assertion could be made good |
rom free raw material and low tariff du
les, the intelligence of our workingmen
eads them quickly to discover that their
teady employment, if permitted by free
is the most i'm mportant factor in
heir relation to tariff legislation.
THE WILSON BILL COMMENDED.
A measure has been prepared by the
appropriate congress committee embody
ng tariff reform on the lines herein sug-
ested which will be promptly submitted
DR. legislative action. 1t is the result of
iuch patriotic and unseifish work, and
believe it deals with its subject as con q
silently and thoroughly as the existing
,nditions permit I am satisfied thai /
ie reduced tariff duties provided for In
le proposed legislation, added to exist
g internal revenue taxation, within the
.ar future, though perhaps not immed- c
tely, will produce sufficient revenue to 4
eet the needs of the government.
THE CHINESE QUESTION
The legsanon of last year, known as 7
e Geary law, requiring the registration :
all Chinese laborers entitled tn resi- : :
nee In the United States and>the de- ?
rtation of all not complying with the '
ovision of the act within the time Il
escrsbed, met with much opposition q
I'm Cinnamon in this country. Acting o
ION the advice of eminent counsel that
e law was unconstitutional, the great s.
ass of Chinese laborers, pending Jud q
al inquiry as to its validity. In good Il
th decllned to apply for the certif. G
tes required by its provisions. A test =
ION proceeding by habeas corpus was r
ought before the supreme court, and. Y
ay 10, 1898, decision was made by tt
at tribunal sustaining the law. 1t is 81
lleved that under the recent amends "
snt OF the act extending the time for ii
sistratlon, the Chinese laborers thereto
titled who desire to reside in this coun-
! will now avail themselves of the re.
wed privilege there afforded by estab. =.
hing by lawful procedure their right a
remain, and that thereby the necessity "A
enforced deportation may, to a great as
gree be avoided. tt
THE HAWAIIAN AFFAIR.
L is scarcely necessary for me to state =,
t the questions arising from our rela- Al Al
as with Hawaii have caused serious VI
Just prior to the ID
llation of the present administration W
existing governm mt of Hawaii bad m
n suddenly overthrown, and a treaty th
Innexation had been negotiated be. al
en- the provisional government of the ps