The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1896-09-05
TARIFF FOR REVENUE THE
SOUND DOCTRINE. TIE
COCNTR PROSPERED
TNDER IT.

HI O4A EacI 4S>hC VIZ -EdACa Vi Tie
Democratic doctrine Of Il tariff for rev
enue, and showed how tie Democratic
party had holden fast ta that doctrine
through all the years o. its existence.
In the present issue we propose to
show that this ancient doctrine Of tile
grand old patty of the people is the
only sound doctrine of tariff taxation.
1t is the sound doctrine. because it
Is founded upon that simple principle
Of justice which reqniies equality in
taxation and fprbids the iespoilins Of
Peter for the private benefit of Paul.
1t recognizes the principle Fiat in
every free state there are limitations
on the exercise Of the taxing power.
growing out of the structure of tire
government, or because it is free /; or,
as Chief Justice Marshall expressed it,
s.by the implied reservations of indi-
vidaai rights growing ont of the nature
of a free government, and the mainte-
u of which is essential to its exist
ence.. 1t recognizes that other pfinci-
pie of justice which has been upheld
by the Supreme Court of the United
States that ..there can be no lawful
tax which is not laid for a public pur-
pose
The soundness of these principles
upon which the Democratic doctrine
rests has been recognized and declared
by the Supreme Court of the United
States in the following language:
ITO lay with ore hand the power of
the Government on the property OF
the citizen, and with the other 70 bes-
tow it upon favored individuals TO aid
private enterprises and build up pri-
vate fortunes, is none the less q rob-
berry becaus. it is done under the
forms of law and taxation. This is
not legislation. 1t is a decree under
legislative forms. Nor is it taxation.
A tax. says Webstei's Dictionary,
sis a rate or sun Of money assessed
on the person or property Of a citizen
By Government for the use OF the ma
ton or Sfate.n Taxes are burdens or
charges imposed by the Legislature
upon persons or property TO raise
money for public purposes.
I'VE have established, we think,
beyond cayii that there can be no LAW
full a which Is not laid for a public
purpose.
IF it be said that a benefit results
10 the local public Of a town by estab-
fishing manufactures, the same may
be said of any other business or pur-
suit xlich employs capital or labor.
The merchant, the mechanic, the inn
keeper, the banker, the builder, the
steamboat owner. are equally promo
tiers of the public good, and equally
deserving the aid Of the citizens by
forced contributions. No line can be
drawn in favor of the manufacturer
which would not open the Golfers Of
the public treasury to the importuni
ties OF two-thirds of the business j
of the city or town."
That is emphatic language which
leaves DO room for quibbling, and the
fact that it is the a~tteranee of Justice
Miller, himself a Republican, adds to
its weight.
Judge Thomas N. Cooley, a distin-
guisiied author and jurist, recognized
as an authority on constitutional law.
thus expresses himself on the subject !:
.sC0nstitutionally a tax can have no
Vka4OA O0otS kARA tAG tAfSAuE III tGEt-
mes for public purposes, and what
ever governmental exaction has not
this basis is tyrannical and unlawful,
A tar on imports, therefore, the pur-
pose Of which is not to raise revenue,
but TO discourage and indirectly pro-
hibit some particular import for the
benefit OF sumo home manufacturer.
may we'll be questioned as being
merely colorable, and, therefore, not
warranted By constitutional princi-
ples.n -
The business Of these principles Is
% apparent that it is inexplicable how
any one free from bias or prejudice
could ever qestiGn them. Ali must |
admit their soundncss who are not
blinded By e f-intercst.
The Democratic policy has been
tried in The past and worked sstisfac-s