Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-06-13

the present Congress to modify its most op-
pressiye featureres in the direction OF Tree
raw materials and cheaper manufactured
goods that enter into general consumption,
and VIC premise its repeal as one on the bene-
fcent results that will follow the action OF the
people in intrusting power to the Democratic
party.
This same platform also declares
it to be-
fundamental principle of the Democratic
party that the Federal Government has no
constitutional power TO impose and collect
tariff except for purposes Of revenue only, and
we demand that the collection OF such taxes
shall be limited to the necessities OF the Gov
ernment when honestly and economically ad-
ministered.
The fair and liberal Interpretation,
therefore, of the Chicago platform is,
that tariff shall be levied only with
a view to revenue, and second, that
it shall be sin the direction OF free
raw materials" You will mark the
language, Mr.. President, of the
platform, which does not declare for
free raw materials, but that "it shall
be in the direction of free raw mater
ials."
Now, let us see the Interpretation
given TO the platform and principles
of the party by the letter of accep-
tance of Grover Cleveland, the NOM
inee of the Democratic party at that
convention, which was recognized
and indorsed by the people in his
election. He says:
Tariff reform is still cur purpose, though we
oppose the theory that tariff laws may DC
passed having for their object the granting OF
discriminating and unfair governmental aid
to private ventures. We wage no extermnat-
ing war against any American interests, we
believe readjustment can be accomplished
in accordance with the principals We profess
without disaster or demolition. BE believe
that the advantages of frser raw materials
should be accorded TO our manufacturers, and
we contemplate a fair and careful distribution
of necessary tariff burdens, rather than the
precipitation Of free trade.
Now, Mr.. President, we see that
the platform declares for reducing
taxation in the direction of free raw
materials, and the letter of accept
ance only for frecr raw materials,
but neither unqualiGedly for free
raw materials and right here comes
the chief difference in adjusting the
schedules as between the House bill
and the Senate bill now before US.
The House bill provided almost
wholly for free raw materials, while
the Senate Finance Committee be-
lieved that it was wiser, in the pres
ent depressed and stagnant condi-
ton of business, to avoid too violent
changes, and to approach free raw
materials by more gradual steps,
which in the judgment of many fol-
lowed more nearly the intentions and
purposes of the Chicago platform
and the letter or acceptance oI Tie
President, which led the Senate 10
notifications of the House bill in
some instances sin the direction of
freer raw materials. !"
Wool is made free, lumber is made
free, the duty on coal is reduced
about half, on iron ore about one
half, and the duty on sugar (Which
has been a prominent source of rev.
enue from the beginning of the Gov
ernment to the present time, with the
single exception of the Mckinley bill,
by which the Republican party, de-
string to get rid of surplus revenue
in order to lay higher protective du-
ties on other favored articles, placed
it upon the free list, but at the same
time engrafted the more cbjectiona-
feature of making the people pay
bounty of ? cents per pound on all
the sugar produced in this country,
including maple sugar and all purely
domestic products) is again placed
at 40 per cent ad yalorem, or about
an average of cent per pound, as
against very much larger duties in
the bill preceding the Mckinley law.
The duty under the law of 1888, pre-
cedng the Mckinley bill, was on raw
sugars GO to 20 per cent ad valorem
equivalent, and on refined to ITO per
cent, and as proposed in the Mills
bill 80 to 50 per cent on raw, and
about 70 TO so on refined, while nn-
der the present Senate amendment 1t
is 40 per cent on raw, and about Al
to 40 per cent on refined.
Now, Mr.. President, where is the
Democratic party at fault in its efforts
to carry out the pledges made to the
country by its platform of principles
at the last election, either by the
Honse bill or by the changes and
notifications in the Senate bill!
Both bills are aiming at the same re-
suits.
The House bill gets at free raw
materials by one stroke of the pen (;
the Senate bill by very radical re-
ductons, but by more conserva-
tive and gradual process. Which OF
the two will be the better and wiser
for the country under the present
conditions may justly be the subject
of honest and positive difference OF
opinion amongst Democrats; but as
both are aiming at the best and
wisest results for the country and
both are consistent, there can be no
doubt that the House and Senate will
speedily harmonize and agree, as
there are no grounds for serious diff
ferences in the underlying principles
actuating both bodies.
The House bill came to the Senate
with a general average of tariff du-
ties of 80. ~ per cent. The Finance
Committee of the Senate spentweeks