St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-03-05


mot by resorting to loans, but by keep.
Ing out of debt-through an adequate
income, secured by a system of taxation,
external and internal, or both. 1t is the
settled policy of the governmet, pur-
sued from the beginning and praciced
b. all parties and administrations, to
raise the bulk of our revenue from taxes
upon foreign productions entering the
United States for sale and consumption;
and avoiding for the most part every
form of direct taxation, except in time
of war. The country is clearly opposed
to any needless additions to the sub
jects of internal taxation, and is COM
mitted by its latest popular utterance to
the system of tariff taxation. There can
be no misunderstanding either, about
the principal upon which their tariff tax
alton shall be levied. Nothing has ever
been made palmer at a general election
than that the controlling principle in
the raising of revenue from duties on i'm
ports Is Jealous care for American inter-
ests and American labor. The people
have declared that such legislation
should be had as will give ample protec-
!
and the development OF our country. 1t
Is therefore, earnestly hoped and eX-
rected that congress will, at the earliest
practicable moment, enact revenue leg
islation that shall be fair, reasonable,
conservative and just, and which, while
supplying sufficient revenue for public
/ purposes, will still be generally bene-
fetal and helpful to every section and
every enterprise of the people. To this
| policy we are all, of whatever party,
firmly bound by the voice of the people.
power more vastly potential than the
expression of any political platform. The
paramount duty of congress is to stop
deficiencies by the restoration of that
protective legislation which has always
been the firmest prop of the treasury
The passage of such law or laws would
strengthen the credit of the government
both at home and abroad. and 60 far to-
wards stopping the drain upon the gold
reserve held for the redemption of our
currency, which has been heavy and wei
nigh constant for several years.
In the revision of the tariff especial at
tention should be given to the re-enact-
principle of the law of 1890, under which
so great a stimulus was given to our for
elgn trade in new and advantageous
markets, for our surplus agriculture
and manufactured products. The brie
trial given this legislation amply JUST
iics a further experiment and additional
discretionary power In the making OF
commercial treaties, the end in view al
ways to be the opening up of new mar
ketS for the products of our country, by
granting concessions to the products Of
other lands that we need and cannot pro.
duce ourselves, and which do not involve
tny loss of labor to our own people, but
tend to increase their employment.
The depression of the past four years
has fallen with especial severity upon tn,
great body of tolers of the country, anC
upon none more than the holders of small
farms. Agriculture has languished anC
labor suffered. The revival of manufac
turing will be a relief to both. No por
lions of our population Is NOR,
devoted to the institutions of fire,
government, nor more loyal in thei
support, while none bears NOR
cheerfully or fully its proper share in tn,
maintenance of the government or Il
better entitled to its wise and liberal car
and protection Legislation helpful t
producers is beneficial to all. The de
pressed condition of industry of the farm
and in the mine and factory has lessene,
the ability of the people to meet the de
m0nds upon them, and they rightfull,
expect that not only system of revenue
shall be established that will secure tn
largest income with the least burden
but that every means will be taken I,
decrease, rather than increase, our pub
lie expenditures Business conditions ar
not the most promising. 1t will take tim
to restore the prosperity of former years
If we cannot promptly attain 1t, we cal
resolutely turn our faces in that direction
J and aid its return by friendly legislation
However troublesome the situation ma,
, appear, congress will not, am sure, b