The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1894-08-21

let us consider the same as re-
CARDS the different political par
ties. Although the Republican
party claim that they want one
for protection, still they want
only what amounts to revenue;
(which would imply, according to
our understanding, that they want
no levy on any thing only what
will protect American production.
At first sight and, really, in part,
this is the most and altogether
the true philosophy for our gov
eminent, no one, but a blind
sticker for party can say but
that, if we have hundred mil
lion dollars to raise from impor-
tations, it would be legitimate to
raise it on such articles as should
come in competition in our mar
kets with our own production
other things being equal to our
people. This doctrine is emin-
entity true as base of action be-
tween classes of persons equally
able to bear the burden of prices
and, in that case, may be set
down as an Invaluable rule of
action of government policy. 1t
is commendable. 1t is right.
And the doctrine of some Demo
Gratis that no regard to the pro-
lection of our home productions
should be given, is error, and
can not stand. The true theory
is revenue with Incidental pro-
lection. Revenue alone, is some
instances would leave competi-
ton too severe for struggling,
infant enterprises in the life of a
nation; but, on the other hand,
protection, carried to it's ultimate
ends would bar out nearly all i'm
portation and leave a nation
stranded for national funds under
our present system of govern
ment support. But there is still
another matter to be considered
in gathering revenue. All men
should pay according to their
ability, not in proportion to their
wants. A man worth a million
dollars without a family, should
pay more to support his nation
than man with family of ten,
all of whom have to live on their
toll from day to day. Diamonds
and pearls should be taxed more
than blankets and boots and
shoes; and, again, it is fairer
that goods are taxed on their i'm
portation according to their val
ne for the reason that those who
wear high priced materials, as a
rule, are able to pay in proper
ton to the value of their consum-
ption, All these matters are to
be taken into consideration, when
reasoning upon the equality of
, things and without them we will
. go wide of the mark in doing
justice to all mankind, and yet,
gather enough from the people
, to support our national respecta-
bility. The danger of a specific
, tariff lies in this: 1t leaves the
, rich, in the nature of things, to
, control to their advantage, and
, against the poorer. To assure
us of the truth of this statement
we have only to ask ourselves
this question Who has the ear
of our legislatures and congressf
1t is self-answering. The mass
es are not able to spend the time
or spare the means to visit these
bodies, or to consult with their
members; and, if they were to dc
, so, we have some important les,
sons, of late, to prove they would
meet with a cold reception, with
most members of such bodies, a
deaf ear. And as long as influ.
ence is to decide who shall OBJ.
, tain advantage, the rich will ever
} put an unjust rate upon the con.
sumption of the poor; therefore