Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-08-22

DlStlnctlcnS Ia SoClety VIII always
exist under every just form Of govern
ment. Equality Of talents, OF education
or of wealth cannot be produced by hui
man Institutions. In the full enjoyment
Of the gifts OF heaven and the fruits OF
superior Industry, economy and virtue,
every man Is equally entitled to protec-
! ton by law"
We yield to none In our devotion to the
doctrine just enunclated. Dur cam
paign has not for Its object the recon-
structlon of society. We cannot insure
to the vicious the fruits of a %vlrtuous
life; we would not invade the home OF
the provident In order to supply the
wants of the spendthrlft; we do not pro-
pose to transfer the rewards of
Industry to the lap of Incidence.
Property Is and will remain the slim
illus to endeavor and the compensa-
ton for thrift. We believe. as asserted
In the declaration of independence, that
all men are created equal, but that
does not mean that all men are or can
be equal in possessions, in ability or
merit. 1t simply means that all shall
stand equal before the law. and that
government officials shall not, In MAX
ing, constructing or enforcing law, dis
criminate between citizens. l assert
that the property rights as well as the
rights of persons are safe in the hands
of the common people. Those who dali
~ follow the injunction, I'm the sweat
of thy face shalt thou eat bread are
now, as they ever have been, the bull
wark of law and order, the source OF our
nations greatness in time of peace and
it's surest defenders in time of war.
Blu / have read only a part of jack
sons utterance. Let me give you his
conclusion:
but when the laws undertake to add
to those natural and Just advantages
artificial distinctions-to grant titles,
gratuities and exclusive privileges;
t, make the rich richer and the potent
rppore powerful. the humble members Of
society, the farmers, mechanics and the
day laborers, who nave neither the time
nor the means OF securing like favors
for themselves. have the right to COM
plain of the injustice OF the govern
ment."
Those who support the Chicago pat
form indorse all the quotation from
Jacksonville latter part as well as the
former part. We are not surprised TO
find arrayed against us those who are
the beneficiaries of government favori-
tism. They have read our platform.
Nor are we surprised to learn that we
must in this campaign face the hostil-
ity of those who find a pecunilcy add
vantage in advocating the doctrine OF
non-interference when great aggrcga
ions of wealth are trespassing upon
the rights of individuals. We welcome
such opposition. 1t Is the highos, in
dorsement which could be bestowed
upon US. We are content to have the
cooperation OF those who desire II have
the government administered without
fear or favor. 1t Is not the wish Of the
general public that trusts shout spring
into existence and override the weaker
members of society. 1t Is not the wish
Of the general public that these trusts
should destroy competition and then
collect such tax as they will from those
who are at their mercy. Nor is 1t the
fault of the general public that the in
strumentalities of government have
been 80 often prostituted TO purposes of
private gain. No government is worthy
of the name which Is not able to pro-
tect from every arm uplifted for his in
jury the humblest citizen who lives be-
meath the flag. 1t follows as a necessary
conclusion that vicious legislation must
be remedied by the people who suffer
from the effects of such legislation, and
not by those who enjoy its benefits.
Income Tax Attitude.
The Chicago platform has been cor
demned by some because it d~issents
from an opinion rendered by the SUI
preme court declaring the income tax
law unconstitutional. We expressly
recognize the binding force of that de-
cision SO long as ii stand as a part of
the law of the land. There is in the
lplatform no suggestion of an attempt to
dispute the authority of the supreme
! remains after that decision or which
t may come from Its reversal by the court
T as IL may hereafter be constituted Is
there any disloyalty in that pledge!
For a hundred years the supreme court
of the United States has sustained the
principle which underlies the income
tax. Twenty years ago the same court
$ sustained without a dissenting voice
an income tax law almost identical with
the one recently overthrown. Has moi
a future court as much right to return
{ to the judicial precedents of a century
as the present court had to depart from
a them? When courts allow rehearlngs
s they admit that error is possible. Th'
late decision against the income tax was
It rendered by a majority OF one after
rehearing.
While the money question oVershad
n ows all other questions in Importance
n | desire 1t distinctly understood that
1t shall offer no apology for the income ta'
plank of the Chicago platform. A
It present the expenses of the federal gov
a. --..- onIanta1 th rpt1Uh internal rev
J. enue taxes and import duties, are espe
cially burdensome upon h poore
r classes of society. The last income ia
y law. with Its exemption provisions
s. when considered in connection wit
he other methods of taxation In force, wa
4 NOT unjust to the possessors OF larg
a Incomes. because they were not coH
nelled TO pay q total federal tax create
X than their share. Not only shall l N
ie fuse to apologize for the advocacy
/. an income tax law by the national COZ
10 v~ention. but / shall also refuse to apo
~ oplze for the exercise by it of the rigf
3 to dissent from a decision OF the s,
IL nrame court. In a government like oul
y. every public official Is a public servan
Al whether he holds by election or by al
IL n.,ntnoeut. whether he serves for a ter
az wears or during good behavior, ar
the people have a right to critlclse ii
-. official acts.
o. The supreme Issue.
n Now, let me ask you to consider I
question of this ampaig
the money question. 1t Is scarcely ne
essary to defend the principle OF pim'
~ allism. No national party curing I
entire history of the United states n
ever declared against it, and no party
on his campaign has had the temerity
lot oppose ii. Three parties-the den
ed cratic, populist n silver parties-ha
NJ not only declared for bimetalhsm, .
~ have outlined the specific legislati
eh necessary to restore silver to It's ancie
sss POSITION by the side of gold. The rep.
We iican platform expressly declares u
the bimetallism Is desirable when IL pleot
are the republican party to aid In secuIi
po- II as o as the assistance OF cert'
MT foreign nations can be obtained. I'M
who represented the minority sentih.
in the Chicago convention opposed
free coinage of silver by the UNI
states by independent action on
lrs ground that in their Judgment II wo'
xed retard or entirely prevent the esiapil
ment OF International bimetailsnI
,ri- Which the efforts Of the governHi'
ter should be steadily directed
:, asSarted that the efforts