Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1893-12-14
viii increase the probability of wise ac.

sembled at Brussels upon our invitation,
was adjourned to the 30th day of No.
vember in the present year.
The consideration just stated, and the
fact that definite proposition from us
seemed to be expected upon the reas-
sembling of the conference led me to ex-
press willingness to have the meeting
still further postponed. 1t seems to Inc
that it would be wise to give general au-
thority to the president to invite other
nations to such conference at any time
when there should be fair prospect Of
accomplishing an international agree
ment on the subject of coinage.
! I desire also to earnestly suggest the
wisdom of amending the existing stat
utes in regard to the issuance of govern
ment bonds.
The authority now vested in the secre-
tary of the treasury TO issue bends is not
as clear as it should be, and the bonds
authorized are disadvantageous to the
government, both as to the time Of their
maturity and rate of interest.
A Civil Service Advocate.
| Regarding the workings of the civil
service, the president announces bis
hearty approval of the custom, and gives
it unqualified support. He says:
The continued intelligent execution of
the civil service law and the increasing ap-
proval by the people of its operations are
most gratifying.
The recent extension Of its limitations
and regulations to the employees at free
WI, inI hoe baar, hopno+
" and promptly accomplished by the COM
mission, with the hearty cooperation of
the postmaster general, is an immensely
imnortant advance in the usefulness of
the system.
am, if possible, more than ever con-
yinced of the incalculable benefits coll
ferred by the civil service law, not only in
its effect upon the public service, but also
what is even more important in its effect
in elevating the tone of political life gen.
orally.
If. in addition to this reform, another
was inaugurated, which would give to the
United States commissioners the final dis
position of petty offences within the grade
of misdemeanors, especlally those coming
under internal revenue laws. a great adj
vance would be made toward n more re-
cent administration of criminal law.
The Tariff Issue.
After a hard struggle, tariff reform Is
lirectly before lis. Nothing &c important
claims our attention and noti!ia' .',.lr-
ly presents itself rs both an or,u.ri..::ir
and duty-an opportunity to Gtsarre the
gratitude of our rellow citizens ANA G:;i
imposed upon US by our oft-rcpet 'd PR
fessions and by the emphatic lnaiudte o.
the people.
After full discussion, our countrymen
have spoken in favor OF this reform. and
they have conhGed The work Of it's accom-
plishment to tie hands of those who are
solemnly pledged to it. If there is any
thing in the theory of Il reprcs sntiSion in
public places cf the people and their. de-
sires. ii public officers are really the sar-
wants OF the paopi.. anl if political prom
iscS and professions have Any binding: orr
failure to give the RELIEF SO long await
ed. will be shown revrr;lIcy.
Nothing should inrc:ven" 10 diSsr:. or
attention or disturb our effort uGtil TINS
reform is accomplished by Wis, ana care
full legislation.
While we should staunchly adhere to
the principle that only the necessity OF rev.
enue justiiicg thc imp J1ition Of tar!if du-
ties, and that they should he limited by
sSrict cconomy,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 distribu-
ton of such duties and taxation Il, the
emergencies OF cur government actually
demand.
Manfestly, if we are 10 aid tile people
directly through tariff reform, Que OF It's
most obvious features should De Il rcduc-
tion in present tariff charges upon the
necessaries of life. The benefits Of such a
reduction would be palpuble and substan-
would be better fed and better clothed and
better sheltered. Those 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 people $
prosperity and well, heing is the removal
of restrictions upon the importation OF the
raw materials necessary to our manu1act-
ures.
The world should be open to our M
tional ingenuity and enterprise. rms
cannot be while federal legislation,
through the imposition Of high tariff, for
bids to American manufacturers as cneap
materials as their competitors.
1t is quite obvious that the enhancement
of the price of our manufactured products,
resulting from this policy, not only con
fines the market for these products within
our own borders to the direct disadvan-
tage of our manufacturers, but also H.
creases 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 strug-
gle among our manufactures to supply
the limited demand for their goods soon
fill the narrow market to which they are
confined. Then follows q suspension of
work in mills and factories, discharge of
employees and distress III the home OF our
worllingmen.
Even if the often disproyen assertion
could be made good. that lower rate OF
WAGES would result from free raw mater
ial and low tariff duties, the intelligence
of our workingmen leads them quickly TO
discover that their steady employment,
permitted by free raw material; is the
most important factor in their relations %
tariff Legislation.
A measure has been prepared by the ap-
propriatc congressional COMMITTEES, en-
bodying tariff reform on the liEes herein
suggested. which will be promptly sub.
mitted for Legislative action. 1t is the re-
suit of much patriotic and unselfish work,
and believe It deals with its subject con
SlSCcnlly anu us UIOFOuSuIy dS eSlSIluS
conditions permit.
Lam satisfied that the reduced tariff
duties provided for III the proposed legis
lation, added to existing internal revenue
taxation, will, in the future, though per
haps not Immediately, produce sufficient
revenue to meet the needs of the govern
ment.
About An Income Tax.
The committee, after full consideration
and to provide against temporary def
cheney which may exist before the business
of the country adjusts itself to the now
tariff schedules, have wisely embraced in
their schedule few additional internal
revenue taxs, including small tax upon
income derived from certain corporate in.
vestmcnts.
Theec new assessments are cot only alb
soIutely Just and easily horne, but they
have the further merit of being such as can
be remitted without unfavorable bushes
disturbance whenever the necessity for
their imposition no longer exists.
In my great desire for the success of this
measure cannot restrain the suggestion
that it's success can only be attained by
means Of unscllish counsel OIL the part OF
tariff reform, and as result of their will
innncsS to subordinate personal desires