Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-08-09
PROTECTION POUNDED.
E-Gov. Boies, Of Iowa, Talks on
the Tariff
Trusts and Combines, Strikes and Lockouts
the Result of Republican Rule
Democratic Discord
Decrfed.

|
the Result of Republican Rule
Democratic Discord
Decried.
In his address as chairman of the
Iowa democratic. convention at De.
Moines on Wednesday, August 1, ex
Gov. Boies spoke upon the several Pc
litical questions before the people to
day and touched in particular upon
that of the tariff as being of para
mount Importance. The speaker was
severely caustic in his remarks upon
republican rule, as will be seen below
For continuous period Of more than thirty
years the policy of one political party DON'T
mated the affairs of this nation.
With complete control of every branch OF
the national government during most of these
years. and Ike control OF some OF it's branches
during the remainder. 1t was able to and did
E1old its theories into law and maintain them
as such regardless of the opinions of half our
people as to the wisdom or justice Of the policy
pursued
AT the commencement OF this period an
overwhelming public necessity compelled the
raising of vast sums of money to protect the
very life of the nation and everywhere loyal
men willingly assumed the burden it imposed.
prominent among the means adopted to
meet the requirements OF the hour was an ex-
ceSStve tarin tax laid upon imports Of almost
every conceivable kind.
The authors Of this measure in presenting
1t to the pnblic mind were careful to declare
that 1t was formulated as a war measure. the
burdens of which were to be borne by the peo-
Pile no longer than the necessity that credited
1t continued TO exist.
The protection OF American industries
By this measure far as have ever heard,
was not even suggested one OF the reasons
for It's adoption.
ITO have urged its enactment on such a
ground at that time would have produced q
shock to the public mind fatal to the chances
of success.
Notwithstanding. however, that It's purpose
was wholly different its unavoidable effect was
an excessive degree Of protection to American
manufacturers OF competing articles and of
like necessity an excessive burden OF taxation
on those who were not engaged in their pro-
duction.
"A stimulus so powerful could not fail to in
fuse unnatural If not unhealthy, energy into
one class OF business at the expense OF eautva-
lent loss to others.
When the war was over and the time had
come when some of the burdens 1t imposed
could be lifted from the shoulders OF the peo-
pie the manufacturing industries OF the coun-
try had become gigantic political power
capable OF directing In large degree the leg
islation OF the nation. and so as one by one
the measures that had been adopted for the
raising OF means to carry on the struggle fell
before the sickle Of the revenue reformer
care was taken that the tariff II changed at
all. was SO changed as to injure In the least
possible degree the vast monopolies that had
sprung into existence under its protecting care.
The plea of necessity being no longer avail
able for It's continuance, 1t became necessary
to invoke the old excuse OF protection to
American labor for war tariff that often af-
forded protection many times greater than the
entire cost Of all the labor involved In the pro-
duction OF protected articles.
1t was while the law remained in this con-
G;.ion that President Cleveland's first term Of
Office was injected into the political history Of
the nation. and although powerless to change
1t because OF republican aScendency in one
branch of the national legislature during all
Of his term he was able by wise and econom-
Ical administration of the affairs Of the gov
eminent to demonstrate that the burdens Of
taxation under our tariff system were far In
excess of the actual requires OF the govern
ment, and this he did by handing over to his
republican successor trousseau filled to
overlooking with money needlessly Withdrawn
from the pockets OF the people.
'Courageously grasping the truth Of the sit
uation as 1t became known to him. Mr.. Cleve-
land, in the face Of an opposition that he knew
would largely array against him the vast mon
led interests Of the protected industries Of the
country with all the influence they could
bring to bear to compass his defeat, cham
pioned the peoples cause. boldly declared that
unnecessary taxation Is unjust taxation
and in a message that will ever remain mem
orable in the history OF the executive office of
the nation urged congress to reform the tariff
and reduce the burdens 1t imposed.
The issue was instantly made. Republican
leaders were Qdick to realize the mighty force
that could be drawn to the aid OF their party
by uniting in It's behalf the powerful influence
which the protected manufacturers OF the
land could bring to its aid and from that day
the voice Of tariff reform in the councils Of
that party have been hushed In the stiffness OF
death.
Then came the struggle Of 'ss, the defeat OF
Mr.. Cleveland, the election Of republican
president, followed by republican majority
in both branches of the national legislature:
the more than redemption of republican pledges
GO the tariff barons by the enactment of the
bill, that in letter and spirit spat
upon the theory that the legislative power OF
taxation by this government is limited to rs
right to collect revenue for the economical ad-
of its affairs and carried to an eX-
treme the opposite theory that one of its legiti-
mate powers is the levying OF taxes to promote
interests of certain classes of indi-
viduals.
Then followed the struggle OF 90, with this
issue clearly and manfully
made between the two great parties: the cam
paign of education; the victory at the polls for
tariff reform on lines defined in the democratic
platform; the election to the presidency Of the
man who had made the issue and once suffered
defeat by reason OF 1t. and the election of a
in both branches of the national leg
lslature generally supposed to be In full &C
cord with democratic theories as promulgated
In the platform of the party and defined by it's
leaders in most II not all parts Of the union
That victory was not won without definite
and oft-repeated promises by those who
claimed to speak for the party as to what
would be done IL party success crowned our
Efforts.
ITO manufacturers they pledged free raw
to the masses tariff for revenue
alone, coupled with faithful and economical
administration Of public affairs.
If democracy would live; II it would not
now in the first flush OF its victory CALAMITY
won. lay down its arms surrender all for which |
It fought and prepare its winding sheet for the |
.omb. it must not lower the standard OF the |
promise made.
There is now no middle ground on which it |
AN cast an anchor. Protection fer projections |!
,ake independent of that which necessarily /
olIows q revenue tariff, Is either wrong in |
principle and v1olative Of both natural and /
constitutional rights, or it is right in principle
md justified by the fundamental law OF the |
and.
If right In one instance 1t is right in all. II |
light In one degree 1t is right in any to which |
he caprice or greed OF a majority may ses TT
% carry It.
He who is willing that his party as such /
hall retrace single step from the position it
ssumed In 1892, who would surrender an tota
# the principle for which he then fought and
von. Is not a democrat II any such there are
ct them go to the camp of the enemy. They
re less dangerous there than in our own
4 know it is true have not as yet tasted
he fruits OF the victory we won. have heard
S you have done the gipes of the men who SO
oudly prate Of protection to American labor
nd Dotnt with assumed dtsiafn tn closed far |