The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-12
SOME TARIFF POINTERS.
The Secretary Believes I'm n Law for
the Masses.

the Masses.
On the subject Of revenue reform the
secretary says:
If this country is to utilize to the full
est extent the opportunities offered by its
geographical position, natural resources
and the mechanical skill and commercial
enterprise of it's people. il must adhere
steadfastly and aggressively to the reve-
nue. policy inaUgurated by the present
congress at its last session. The reduc-
ton of taxation to the lowest point COM
patible with the collection Of a revenue
sufficient 10 maintain an efficient public
service is a duty which. upon the plainest
principles Of justice, every government
owes to its citizens under all circum-
stances; but when the taxation is i'm
opposed I'm such form or at such rates as to
Increase the cost Of living and obstruct
the processes Of industry and trade this
duty becomes still more Imperative. and
a failure TO discharge it when the power
exists is a gross violation 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 burdens 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
constantly diminished until they reached
a point which made further development
of our resources almost impossible. But
little opportunity was afforded for the
extension of our manufacturing and me-
chanical Industries, or for the growth of
our trade at home or abroad, and thus
the farmers and other producers of the
country were confronted by a situation
which compelled them TO receive dimin-
ished rewards for increased production.
\ change was demanded by every con-
sderation of public duty and private in
terest, and, although the recent legislation
did not accomplish all that was expected
or desired. it inaugurated a policy which
it is hoped and believed will ultimately re-
suit in a great Improvement in our indus
trial condition and a corresponding en-
l3rgement Of our international and internal
commences.
In the prosecution of this policy no tenn
porary check or apparent diversion of the
public mind to other subjects should be
permitted to diminish our confidence in
our final success or weaken our determine
ton to maintain a consistent advocacy of
its claims to the favorable consideration
of the people on the contrary, reverses
should stimulate Increased efforts, and
very movement hereafter made should
be a step forward in the direction of freer
trade and a more equal distribution OF the
rewards of industry.
The raw material used in the production
of commodities for the use cf the people
in their homes and in their various indus
trial pursuits should be free from taxa
tiOn In order that the burdens of labor
may be lghtened the opportunities for
employment increased and the nccessaries
Of life made more abundant and less ex-
pensive. If our industries are to be profit
ably conducted, reduced cost of production
must precede or accompany reduced prices
of the finished product, and as cheap COM
modities increased consumption, the inter
ests Of all classes will be promoted by re-
moving the distractions which deny cur
skilled laborers and artisans access to the
worlds store of raw materials.
The late act, while 1t places upon the
free list a considerable part OF most i'm
port raw ma.eria-s used in our manufac-
ture left iron and lead ores and btumin-
Gus coal, together with several other ar
ticles Of Jess consequence, stu dutiable,
thus not only falling to put in force con-
sistent system Of revenue REFORM but leav-