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

Il 10 not at all surprising to see the Bos-
ton Herald bemoaning the fact that the
removal of the import duties on sugar has
fiepri, ed the national treasury OF an annual
income of $50, coo 900. 1t declares that
cit may be possible to place small duty |
upon sugar without greatly increasing the
price Of the product; but the large revenue
formerly derived from it is not likely to be
sttainable.' To those who have read the
free trade irivel Of this Democratic organ
in years past, and noted its pretended Sole
isude for American workingmen, while II
has advocated A system whose prsetics
operation would be to reduce their wages TO
the European standard. may he surprised at
this proposition to impose tax upon the
,,.ble. Of the people. They might not IN
naturally. expect 10 see the Herald sdvocst-
inx the removal of duties from all imports
la position upon the sugar question H.
d, ssver. entirely consistent. "Tarih re-
form" i. but 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 lowe"
possible rate Of duty, II therefore follows
that they would place duties upon those ar
,lelss most largely imported. This would
iring them upon things in common use
among the mss.ss-such ~ tea, and coffee
aul sugar. A very small duty upon these
ami Kindred articles would constitute large
stusne Of income to the government.
.rariG reformers have sl~sys rec
exuis.d this fact. They recognize this
fact tina. were their free trade theories
to he put into practice. the government
veul Il aill require sources OF revenue with
~h, h To conduct its affairs. The most ar
A, n, of them shrink from the odium that
~nuA be brought upon their party by any
atrpspt to raise these revenues by
direct taxation. Some of them think that
the government might sustain itself by an
.,.h,r.te system Of internal revenue
Wi key and tobacco have been mentioned
~ articles able to carry . much larger bur
den Of taxation. Blu, both ofthese copmo-
ditto. are dear to the Democratic hear
Thsy are, moreover. essentially southern
products, and il 10 not very likely that ths
r~presensasives frem that section woait
consent to have them carry any greafe'
load than that which they sustain al thu
pr,.es, time. II fellows therefore that tn
carving out Of the Democratic tsrih pro
r..mrue will involve the levyirg of dutie
upon articles that are in general use anon
III. ,ssp,e. The burdens Of revenue vi
he horne by the necesssrirs Of life. In
Mckinley Law, which has been so tercsl
denounced by tree trade. organs
vAs very careful to discriminate
favor Of such articles. The heaviest ds
sies we're placed upon articles of lurur,
In Ills way the burdens Of revenue fell NJ
On the shoulders Of the wealthy glasses wh
we're bese able 70 bear them. II the safi
"a, indeed - tax" IL van not one th'
ressea for support upon the poor man
sable. Under that wise and benshcseI
mcguire. under Republican rule. the con'
tn .praspsred - nevef before in its histor'
Confidence and progress vent hand in han
Labor found abundant employment at Cox
wages. The country was eontensed, pro
porous, and happy. Then came the Dem
cradle parsy With il advocacy of revolutio
- .~,, s,,crnyris svefem II