The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-15

principles of Democratic equality at the
close Of the last century
A sound and stable currency; just and equal
taxation for public purposes only; strict
adherence to the letter and spirit of the
constitution by all the departments OF the
government and rigid economy in the eX-
penditures of the peoples money, have been
vital parts OF the Democratic faith from the
beginning, and there has never been a time
in our history when the condition of the
country more imperatively demanded the prac-
teal application of those doctrines than it does
now. Many Of our industries are depressed
for want of market for their products
many of our most worthy people are deprived
of employment, and many of our most valu-
able commercial enterprises are languishing
for the want of profitable trade. At such
time every material interest Of the people
demands that the currency used in the trans
action or their business shall be absolutely
free from even a suspicion of unsoundness ;
that the necessaries of life and the materi-
ais used in our industries shall be exempt
from the burdens of taxation in order that
the poor may live comfortably and labor may
lind employment; and that the affairs of
the government shall be honestly and eco
nomically administered and it's expenditures
be strictly confined to the great public pur-
poses for which it was established.
In defiance of these obvious requirements
of the public interest, the integrity of our
currency is still threatened tariff taxes upon
nearly everything the people eat, drink, wear
or use in production are about to be largely
increased, and the public expenditures, in
stead of being diminished to meet the ext
gencies of the situation, are being extended
to new and unworthy objects, many of which
are purely local OF private in their char
acter. The paralysis of trade and industry,
resulting in the loss of public revenue and in
destroying the ability of the people to meet
their private obligations was produced mainly
by unwise currency and fiscal legislation, and
the return of prosperity has SO far been
prevented by continued partisan agitation in
favor Of still more radical and destructive
measures on the same subjects.
INCREASED TAXATION.
Notwithstanding these we'll known facts, the
present congress, instead of attempting to
reform the currency laws and permanently
establish our standard on the god basis
where Democratic craftsmanship, under the
inspiration of Andrew Jackson, placed 1t
more than sixty years ago, has wholly ignored
this indispensable work and devoted more than
taxation upon the people; and large part of
this time has been spent in acrimonious
contests among the benefciaries of the taxes,
over the division of the spolls. The whole
fed of domestic industry and enterprise,
every calling and occupation in which an
intelligent and progressive people can possibly
engage, has been subjected to the most search
ing investigation by trained experts stimu-
lated by selfish, personal interests, to dis
cover useful articles Of consumption upon
which or additional burdens could be
so imposed by law as to rob the people of
their honest earnings, without raising reve-
nue. for the government. In this work of
spoliation, the protectionists have had, not
only the sympathy, but the active co-opera-
ton and support of many of the most able
and influential members of the free silver
party of congress, who did not even receive
for their indispensable service fair division
of the spoiIs. Without the aid of the free
silver members of the senate, the Republi-
can protectionists could have accomplished
nothing whatever in the direction of increased
taxation, and this fact was so well known
to the country that it was for long time
seriously doubted that there could be any
legislation on the subject. In the senate
the free silver party had the absolute con-
troll of the situation, and the conceded power,