Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-03-11


maintain its credit. is To pay as it goes
not by resorting to loans, but by keep
Ing out Of Lebt--thraug an ad quate
income. secured by system Of taxation.
external and internal. or both. 1t is the
settled policy OF the governpet. pur-
sued from the beginning and>praciced
o.. all parties and administrations, to
raise the bulk of our revenue from taxes
upon foreign productions entering the
United States for sale and consumption:
ana 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
Jeets of internal taxation. and is COM
United 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-
ton and encouragement to the industries
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 governm Mt
both at home and abroad, and s. far to-
wards stopping the drain upon the gold
reserve held for the redemption of our
currency. which has been heavy and We'll
nigh constant for several years.
In the revision of the tariff especial at
tention should be given to the re-enact-
llent and extension of the reciprc city
principle of the law of 1890, under which
so great a stimulus was given to our for
eign trade in new and advantageous
and manufactured products. The brief
trial given this legislation amp,y justi-
dcs further experiment and additional
discretionary power in the max ny Of
commercial treaties. the end in view al
ways to be the opening up of n5u mar
Ike is for the products of our count. y
granting concessions to the plodu of
other lands that we need and cannot pro-
duce ourselves, and which do not involve
ANY 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 the
great body of toilers of the country and
upon none more than the holders Of small
falms. Agriculture has lansuished and
labor suffered. The revival of manufac-
turing will be a relief to both. No por-
tons OF our population is more
devoted to the institutions of free
COVE! nment. nor more loyal in their
support, while none bears more
cheerfully or fully its proper share in the
maintenance of the government. or is
better entitled 20 its wise and liberal ca re
and protection. Legislation heluful to
producers is beneficial to all. The de-
pressed condition of industry Of he farm
and N the mine and factory has lessc ned
the ability of the people to meet the de-
mands upon them, and they rightfuNy
expect that not only a system of revenue
shall be established that viii secure the
largest income With the least burden,
bat that every means viii be taken to
decrease, rather than increase, our pub
lie expenditures. business conditions III <
not the most prom ug. 1t Will take time
to restore the prosperity of form e. J as.
If We cannot promptly attain il We can
resoluteiy turn our faces in that direction
ana and its return by friendly legiz alton.
However troublesome the 81 ualicu may
appear, congress will not am sure. be