Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-04

dustry and trade, this duty becomes still
more imperative and a failure to discharge
1t when the power exists Is a gross VIOLA
ton of the public trust and confidence.
For many years our tariff laws have
been framed upon the theory that the
wealth of the country could be increased
by imposing taxes upon the people. and
that the prosperity Of our Industries could
be promoted by increasing the cost of
production. and the result has been that
the net profits of labor and capital con-
stantly diminished until they reached a
point which made further development OF
our resources almost impossible. But lit
tie opportunity was afforded for the eX-
tension of our manufacturing ana mechah-
ical industries or for the growth OF our
trade at home abroad and thus the
farmers and other producers of the coun-
try were confronted by a situation which
compelled them to receive diminished re-
wards for increased production.
Inauguratcd n Policy.
"A change was demanded by every con-
sderation of public duty and private in
terest, and, although the recent legisla-
ton did not accomplish all that was ex-
pected or desired, it inaugurated policy
which 1t is hoped and believed will ulti-
mately result I'm a great Improvement In
our Industrial condition and q correspond
ing enlargement of our internal and inter-
national commerce. In the prosecution of
this policy no temporary CHECK VI
ent diversion of the public mind to other
subjects should be permitted to diminish
our confidence In Its final success or weak
ell our determination to maintain con-
sistent advocacy OF its claims to the favor
able consideration of the people. On the
contrary, reverses should stimulate IN
creased effort, and every movement here
after made should be a step forward In
the direction of freer trade and more
equal distribution Of the rewards of In
dustry.
1.-The raw materials used in the produc-
ton of commodities for the use of the peo-
pie in their homes and In their various
industrial pursuits should be free from
taxation in order that the burdens OF la
Dor may be lightened, the opportunities
for employment increased, and the neces-
saries of life made more abundant ana less
expensive. If our industries are to be
profitably conducted. reduced cost Of pro-
ducton must precede or accompany re-
duced prices Of the finished product, and as
cheap commodities Increase consumption,
the interests of all classes will be pro-
noted by removing the distractions which
deny our skilled laborers and artisans ac-
cess to the worlds store OF raw materials
1.-The late act, while 1t places upon the
free list a considerable part Of the most
important raw materials used in our man.
ufactures, left iron and lead ores and bi-
luminous coal, together with several other
articles of less consequence still duttable,
thus not only failing to present consist
emit system Of revenue reform, but leaving
some of our most valuable industries at a
great disadvantage as compared with their
rivals differently located"
''There are other defects, consisting Of
ambiguous phraseology in some Of the
para gro phs, and inconsistent and excessive
rates of duty in some of the schedules. a
correction Of which would be in harmony
with a policy Of progressive reform upon a
basis Of equal justice to producers and
consumers, and would not affect the rev.
enue to any considerable extent Advan-
tage should be promptly taken OF every
opportunity to remove all these objec-
tionable features from the act in order
that our legislation may be made to con-
form, as speedily as possible, to the
pledges given to the people and to the de-
mands of public sentiment on this sub
ject,"