Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-23
What Sort OF Tariff?

We would say 10 the Roanoke Ecenin9
World and the Lynchburg Aacance that tho
Democrats who favor, not naked "protec-
ton" but discriminating customs-duties
are as much devoted 10 the welfare OF their
party and their country as those who hold
and teach that 10 lay q tariff for any other
purpose than 20 secure the largest revenue
possible is to violate one of the cardinal
doctrines of the Democratic party. No
Congress is ever going to frame tarid
bill having in view no other end than the
production Of the largest revenue; aud 1t
is not candid in any Democrat t. pretend
TO believe that the next or any future De-
mocratic Congress will pass any such tariff
bill.
The Chicago tariff resolution leaves no
room for the exercise OF his judgment by
any Democrat who feels that he IS bound
by that resolution, which is as follows:
ave declare 1t 10 be u fundamental principle
OF tho Democratic party that tho Federal Gov
ernment has no constitutional pONer TO impose
and collect tarlff-duties except for the purpose
Of revenue only"
As every Congressman takes an oath to
support the Constitution OF the United
States it follows that all the congressman
who believe that Congress has no cOusti-
tutional power to levy tariff except for
revenue must vote against laying counter
vailing duties to protect manufactures to-
bacco, cigars. or cigarettes and against adj
uniting tea, coffee, aud sugar free OF duty.
I'm other words. every Democratic con-
gresham who feels bound by the platform
declaration quoted above will be COM
PEELED by his oath of Office to vote against
protecting peanuts, sumac. hemp, ENC,
&C., &C., and in favor Of admitting even
Sumatra tobacco free Of duty. In word,
upon the assumption that every Democrat
Is bound by the declaration We have quoted
from the Chicago platform. there can
hereafter be no free breakfast-table.
Ii all customs-duties must be laid with
an eve TO revenue. then sugar, coffee, and
tea must bear heavier duties than any
other three articles for there are import
ed into the United States every year over
$lOO. 900, 900 worth of sugar, about $780,
OOO. 900 worth of coffee, and about Slj,0)),-
900 worth of team all about S250,OOO,OOO
worth. The duty upon them would be,
say, 500. 900. 900 annually.
In point OF fact, the declaration Of tho
Chicago platform on tho tariff question
was not inserted in that platform upon
the recommendation of the Committee on
the Platform, but was by the convention
itself substituted for the declaration
which that committee reported in favor of
making. Consequently nobody in that
turbulent assemblage except the little
coterie that framed the substitute knew
what he was doing when he voted that
Congress had no power to levy customs
duties for any other purpose than that of
raising revenue for the support Of the
government.
Finally, what is to be done with the
members of the Platform Committee OF
the Chicago Convention, who advised that
body to adopt q resolution declaring that
customs-duties might be levied for other
purposes than the production of revenue :
The committees resolution was reported
after due elaboration and consideration.
The conventions resolution was adopted
without due deliberation and considera-
ton. We ask once more. Is the silver
question Of less importance than the tariff
question: Will not Mr.. CLEVELAND press
his own views on that question upon
Congress?