The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-06-04
Party of Business Men.

The Republican party pretends TO stand
as the part of the business man but
we charge that in the practical applica-
ton of this high sounding platitude il
narrows the meaning of the term to in
Guide only the enormously wealthy, and
for this narrowed class of business men
their laws are passed. In justitication of
their wisdom and political insight the
republican party points with pride" to
the prosperity which follows their adj
The Democratic party an
sWerS that prosperity is not upon the
country because of a Republican protect
i've tariff law. but in spite of it, and the
prosperity of Republican legislation to
the great masses of our people, is a pros
perity which is leaking through onto the
masses below from Overlooking reservoirs
oil enormous wealth owned by the few
tective tariff. The Democratic party
does not believe in such legislation but
rather in the laws which directly make
for the prosperity of the masses, know
ing that prosperity given first hand to
the common people VIII find its sure way
upward and reach all classes.
The present tariff law. admittedly franz
ed along lines which give protection 10
the American manufacturer, has and is
taking from the taxpayer millions of
money in excess of the honest needs of
the government. In consequence an
enormous surplus has been accumulated
now idly lying in the Treasury of the
United States, every dollar recreant to
its lawful and proper use and duty BY
just these millions of idle money. accu-
mulated under the Republican tariff law
are the people unjustly taxed, and all
TO satisfy the Unsuitable demand for pro-
lection from competition, coming from
class already grown despotically rich
through the same kind of contributions
from the people. TO this small class it
is of no consequence that boots and
shoes, hats and caps, clothing, and all
the staples, cost more under their scheme
of legislation. for what they as indivd-
uals consume of these is an infinitesimal
mite compared to the enormous tribute
they receive from the masses of consul
mers who obtain no corresponding ben
eft
If there be millions of honest men on
the continent, who as American citizens
see the injustice and positive wrong of
possible pretext can we, the people OF
hawaii, give our approval to such a sys-
tenn? Here. there cannot be used in eff
fective argument the fair seeming scare
crow dictum, that unless our manufac-
turers are protected they VIII have to go
out of business. For we are not a manu-
featuring people; we are essentially a
consuming people. and any tariff which
forces the people of Hawaii to pay a tax
on their consumption greater than is
necessary to supply the wise and honest
needs OF government support, is i'm
position, for a government tax that gives
no correlative blessing to the taxpayer is
a fraud.
When the honest Hawaiian, whose cap
ital is his Drawn and muscle. can find a
means Of happiness in a tariff law which
exacts an increased price for everything
he has to buy, then and not sooner can
the Republican party lay claim to his
vote.
The Democratic party, in the campaign
soon to be entered upon will again reiter-
ate its belief in the principle of bi metal
lism and were it not for the fact that a
Republican House and Senate have Just
passed law which makes practical leg
iSlation on that subject impossible for
he
the people at this time as it did III 1885,
declaring against the policy of the Re
publican party. which by law discrimi-
mates against one of the inmemoriaI
rinn tai Of 10