The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1894-09-08
TIE TARIFF.

The New York Sun is uneuestionsbly
the ablest Democratic newspaper in the
United States to-day, and is intensely
partisan, but in a late issue it gives the
position OF the two great parties on the
tariff question clearly and eoneisely in
the following comparison:
Respecting Federal taxation. we will
nov state the position OF the Democracy
~ defined by the Chicago platform, mp
on which the overwhelming victory OF
1892 was gained. Ascertain the value
of the goods TO be imported. Ascertain
the amount OF revenue to be raised from
imports for the expel &c. of the Govern
msnt honestly administered. Fix the
rate and collect il without discrimins-
ton, preference or partiality ANYTHING
else is unjustifable. Anything elese is
unconstitutional. Anything else invad-
fs the rights OF the citizen, and is IN
1awfal as well as undemccratic. That is
clear snd comprehensive. That is what
the Chicago platform declared and what
the people, approved
The Republican position is diane
tricallv different. Tariff duties, saw the
Republicans, should not be levied for
the mere purpose OF revenue, but largely
with a view OF promoting American
manufactures and labor, and relieving
farmers and mechanics from nnfavor-
able foreign competition. The Repubi-
cans say that il is one OF the powers and
duties OF Government to protect the
PEOPLE who maintain ii from unfair for
eign com PETITION, IS well as from hostile
tr,ign invasion. The people. through
their representatives, impose the taxes
On goods entering into American ports
from other countries, and they have the
right land it is natural tha. they should
exercise it, so as TO impose those duties
that the interests OF Americans will b.
favored and the interests Of foreign
rivals in the same industries or pursuits
Disseminated against. That is the Re-
publican doctrine"
The Sun admits that it is simply a
question of protection of American in
dustries and wages against foreign com
petition and cheap labor. This is OF the
highest Importance to the laboring
classes, for wages are quickly Influenced
by tariff legislation. The Gorham. or
skeleton of the Wilson tariff bill. as il
finally passed congress, is not free
trade law, yet it makes heavy reductions
on many articles and we see how quick
iy the laborer's wages are affected
Democratic papers call attention to the
fact that factories and mills are starting
mp all over the country. but they do not
mention the further fact tina. operations
are being resumed under a reduced scale
of wages, in some instances amounting
to thirty or forty per cent. These re-
auctions are the direct result OF demo
cratic tariff legislation.
Thomas B Reed, in his great speech
against the Wilson bill, on February l.
1894, said:
Il confess to you that this question OF
wages to me is a vital question. To in
sure our growth in civilization and
wealth, we must not only have wages as
high as they now are. but a constantly
and steadily increasing. In nv judg-
ment. upon wages and the consequs Mt
fis'r button of consumable wealth are
based all our hopes Of the future and all
the possible increase OF our civilization.
The progress OF this nation il dependent
rpon the progress Of ALL The fact that
in fhis country all the workers have been
getting better wages than elsewhere is
the very reason why our market il the |
hest in the world. and whv all the ma /
.ion. Of the world are trying to break
into it,"
These are matters for the voter To /
consider carefully before he casts his
vote in November. The country has .
been suffering from Democrotic rule and /
threatened free trade for the past year
and our experience during that time /
should teach us that our future prosper
ty depends upon the result OF the cleo
lions this fall. viii you vote for a con-
linuaticn II the conditions existing
Turing the past few months, or will Won
vote for return 10 the prosperous
lines under Republican rule?