Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-09-12
The Free Trade Scheme Of Revenue.

II 10 not at ali surprising to see the Bos-
removal Of the import duties on sugar has
depri, ed the national treasury of an annual
income of $50 900 900. 1t declares that
ST may be possible to place = small duty
upon sugar without greatly increasing the
price of the product; but the large revenue
formerly derived from il is not likely to be
sttainable." To those who have read the
free trade drivel of this Democratic organ
in years past, and noted its pretended sole
itade for American workingmeu. while it
has advocated a system whose prsctica
operation would be to reduce their wages to
the European standard, may be surprised at
this proposition TO impose u tax upon the
t,bles Of the people. They might. not I'M
naturally. expect to see the Herald sdvocAt-
ing the removal of duties from all imports,
lts position upon the sugar question is,
hosever, entirely consistent. Tariff re-
form" 10 bu. another name for tariff for
revenue only"
The advocates of this policy favor the
raising of the necessary revenues for the
support of the government with the lowest
possible rate OF duty. 1t therefore follows
that they would place duties upon those ar
tlcles most largely imported. This would
iring them upon things in common use
among the masses--sueh A. tea, and coffee
A Iutv thasx
sni Kindred articles would constitute large
source Of income to the government.
Tariff reformers' have always rec
oxnised this fact They recognize this
fact that were their tres trade theories
To he put into practice, the government
voul still require sources Of revenue with
~nrh TO conduct its affairs. The most Ar
\ n, Of them shrink from the osiiam that
~aai be brought upon their party by any
atsu,pt to raise these revenues by
direct taxation. Some of them think that
III. government might sustain itself by an
elaborate system of internal revenue.
Wi key and tobacco have been mentioned
~ articles able to carry much larger bur
den Of taxation, But both ofthese commo-
ditiss are dear to the Democratic heart.
They are. moreover, essentially southern
products, and il Is not very likely that the
representative from that section would
consent to have them carry any greater
lsai than that which they sustain q; the
prcsent time. Il follows therefore that the
carving out Of the Democratic tariff pro-
gramme will involve the levyirg of duties
upon articles that are in general use among
the people. The burdens Of revenue will
he horne by the necessaries of life. The
Mckinley Law. which has been 30 ferceiy
denounced by free trade, organs,
vas very careful to discriminate in
favor Of such articles. The heaviest du-
sies were PLACED upon artieles Of luxury.
In tits way the burdens Of revenue fell up
On the shoulders Of the wealthy classss who
were best able to bear them. If the tariff
vas indeed - tax" il vas not one ths;
rcssed for support upon the poor mans
sahle. Under that wise and bensficient
MEASURE. under Republican rule. the eoun-
. Try praspsfed - never before in it, history. |
Confidence and progress vent hand in hand. |
Labor found abundant employment At good
wager. The country was eontensed, pros
perous, and happy. Then came the Demo- |
Grade parry With ID advocacy Of revolution |
azy charges In cur economic system. I'M
nsaiasey began he ''chanse- which tie |
people vsssd fbr d tAs national elecsion and |
vAlcA = hanging q win great deal Of
tssssl9 and bids fair % continue to do %. |
- lag = ~ Democrasie party adhefes % |
bfssssna asiG pfussanne. II ths tariff |
fse sevsune snly' taea b put In force TIE |
- rssps - - cs1ntry ~ill oens.ibuse
r. Dsas y ~ ssppogt Of The country than
~ = = hspasssae 49,. md IL vealshy
snss Yin - 1Rspsssiaaally relieved from
- ssvsnas b1s1ans ~ hey nsv carry.