The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-08-11
PROTECTION POUNDED.
Ex-Gov. Boies, of iowa, Talks on
the Tariff.
Irnsts and Combines. str'kcs and Lockouts
the Result Of Republican Rule
Democratic DtscOrd
Uecrtcd.

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 a continuous period OF moro than thirty
years the policy OF one political party domi-
mated the AFFAIRS OF this nation.
with complete control OF every branch OF
the national government during most OF these
years. and like control OF some OF its branches
during the remainder, IL was able to and did
mold 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 1t imposed.
prominent among the means adopted to
meet the requirements OF the hour was an ex-
cessive tariff tax laid upon imports of almost
every conceivable kind.
1.-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-
pie no longer than the necessity that credited
1t continued to exist
1.-The protection of American industries
by this measure SO far as have ever heard,
was not even suggested as one Of the reasons
for It's adoption.
''To have urged its enactment on such
ground at that time would have produced u
shock to the public mind fatal to the chances
of success.
was wholly different its unavoidable effect was
an excessive degree of protection to American
manufacturers of competing articles and of
like necessity 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, II not unhealthy, energy into
one class Of business at the expense of equiva-
| lent loss to others.
when the war was over and the time had
come when some of the burdens it imposed
could be lifted from the shoulders of the peo-
pie the manufacturing industries Of the coun-
try had become II gigantic political power,
capable Of directing in lnrge degree the leg
| islation of the mutton, 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, If changed ut
all, was so changed as to injure in the least
possible degree the vast monopolies that had
| sprung into existence underit protecting care
THE plea Of necessity being no longer avail
able for its continuance, 1t became necessary
| to invoke the old excuse of protection to
American labor for u 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-
dltion that President Cleveland's first term of
office was injected into the political history of
the nation. and although powerless to change
It because of republican ascendency in one
branch of the national legislature during all
OF his term he was able by wise and econon.-
ical administration of the affairs of the gov
ernment to demonstrate that the burdens OF
taxation under our tariff system We're far in
excess of the actual requires of the govern
ms ha RI Inv hu n1i np nva tn
republican successor "a trousseau filled to
overfowing with money needleSsly Withdrawn
from the pockets of the people.
| "Courageously grasping the truth of the sit
| uation as it 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
poned the peoples cause, boldly declared that
unnecessary taxation is unjust taXatiop,
and in u message that will ever remain meI:-
orable in the history of the executive office Of
the nation urged congress to reform the taril
and reduce the burdens 1t imposed.
THE issue was instantly made Republican
leaders were Quick to realize the mighty force
that could be drawn to the aid of their party
by uniting in Its 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
!
death.
Then came the struggle of sS, the defeat o.
Mr. Cleveland, the election OF republican
president, followed by republican majorit!
in both branches of the national legislature
the more than redemption of republican pledges
, to the tariff barons by the enactment of the
Mckinley bill, that in letter and spirit spa
upon the theory that the legislative power O
taxation by this government is limited to it!
| right to collect revenue for the economical ad
yv,tv tint, Of ffnt rn1tT
treme the opposite theory that one of its legiti
mate powers is the levying OF taxes to promote
pecuniary interests of certain classes of indi
viduals.
Then followed the struggle of 90, with th
, overshadowing issue clearly and manfull,
made between the two great parties; the cam
, paign Of education; the victory at the polls 70
tariff reform on lines defined in the democratic
platform; the election to the presidency of tn,
man who had made the issue and once suffere'
defeat by reason Of 1t, and the election of
majority in both branches of the national leg
islature generally supposed to be in full ac
cord with democratic theories as promulgatsi
I i'll the platform Of the party and defined by it
e leaders In most II not all parts OF the union
4 'That victory was not won without detinit
sad oft-repeated promises by those VIII
: ciaimed to speak for the party as to wha
: would be done II party success crowned GU
. Efforts.
ITO manufacturers they pledged free ra,
| uuleTlhls W IHc suluSSeS IdFlu lor TcNcHu'
alone, coupled with faithful and economics
administration Of public affairs.
S III democracy would live; II it would no
now In the first flush OF its victory gallantl
won, lay down It's arms, surrender all for whic
it fought and prepare its winding sheet for tn
: tomb 1t must not lower the standard OF tn
. promise made.
There Is now no middle ground on which
can cast an anchor Protection for protection
sake independent OF that which necessaril
follows revenue tariff Is either wrong 1
l principle and violative of both natural an
constitutional rights or 1t is right in principl
e and justified by the fundamental law of tn
@ land.
IF right in one instance 1t is right in all.
. right in one degree 1t is right in any to whic
the caprice or greed Of majority may see fl
to carry 1t.
He who is willing that his party as sue
, shall retrace single step from the position
0 assumed In 1892 who would surrender an lot
OF the principle for which he then fought an
: won. Is not a democrat. II any such there ar
= let them go to the camp of the enemy. The
2 are less dangerous there than in our own.
!. ~ know 1t Is true we have not as yet taste
I the fruits Of the victory we won. have hear
, as you have done the gibes OF the men who S
- loudly prate of protection to American labo
and point with assumed disdain TO closed fac
tories, stagnant marts OF trade, and armies
idle men Us legitimate fruits OF the struggl
= we helped to win, and have felt the sting
= regret that single man with intelligence sui
r tctent t. entitle him to the franchise OF lAmel
= lean citizenship should have been deceived