The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-31

democratic party on the tariff question. but also as suggesting the material then available in attacking tarif iniquities. I want if I can, to lead you to com temptation of the iniquities that have since accumulated to the numerous SA- ditions to a vicious and dangerous pro- geny, born of tariff license and deprayi- ty to the increased material of success ful attack. and to the present duty of all who love our people more than self, to strike a blow whenever and wherever it is possible, for our oountry's honor and emancipation.
 For this purpose l hope you will per init me to add one further quotation from tse same message as follows:
 Quotes From Message.
 Tn speaking of the increased cost to the consumer of our home manufacture, resulting from a duty laid upon import ed articles of the same description, the fact is not overlooked that competition among our domestic producers some times has the effect of keeping the price of their products below the highest limit allowed by such duty. But it is notori- ous that this competition Is too often strangled by combinations quite preva- lent at this time, and frequently called trusts, which have for their object the regulation of the supply and price of commodities made and sold by members of the combination The people can hardly hope for any consideration in the operation of their selfish schemes.
 "Dess than a year after this announce rant of democratic doctrine it was made g. tngget for all sorts of attack In a pres i1ential election The ti1nid were assured that absolute free trade would follow democratic success; that the importers paid the custom taxes ana apove all that l d 0n oh naf it should be entrusted to the friends of the tariff. The people were persuaded into continuing these friends in political control, and they forthwith constructed new scheme of high protection. The advanced growth of the arrogance and greediness of tariff beneficiaries. and the kindness shown by them to these ] friends of tariff exhibited in this scheme demonstrated how confidently they re- lied upon the continuance of the peoples credulity, which they had so recently and successfully test ed.
 Full of Nomination.
 'The bill then passed was so full of abominations and so plainly showed the headlessness of its authors and benefici- aries ,and their disregard Of the inter- ests of the people. that the voters of the land, though accustomed to yielding to tariff deluslon were prompt in their re- Venge and condemnation.
 ''It might naturally be supposed that So violent blow as was then given, would adnlonish, if it did not reform. these promoters of selfish tariff benefits. This, however was by no means in &C., cord with their natures. nor in agreement with their machinations. As unregener- ate as ever, as arrogant as ever, and hoping as confidently as ever for the tim" the people could aga'r be led away by false Fights, they sullenly surrendered control of governmental policies and laid tn wait for their opportunity, ThN la mentable conditions which quickly gave this opportunity are familiar to you all. am not here to speak of democratic mis- fortunes or miscarriage. but to call at tention to the tenacity of high tariff rapacity and arrogance and to the man. ner in which they grow and develop. whenever they have an opportunity. Sooner than they had the least reason to expect, the friends of the tariff, or in other words those who sought to grow rich with government help at the expense of the people. with their aiders and abet- tors, had turned over to them the work of again adjusting tariff rates. How did they approach the task? Was 1t with a patrotic Intention to really benefit the masses of our people and make their l burdens lighter? This they would hardly declare without a sly wink. Was 1t even with the fear of the people being in their eyes? Surely nothing indicates 1t. On the contrary, they exultantly relied upon their ability to delude the people, they had not even yet learned to fear them. 1 Their work is undertaken as they would l have entered upon privilege-to make 1 the most of 1t. I have heard 1t said upon i excellent authority that expectant bene- ficiaries under the existing tariff laws made by its friends-were actually allow ed to construct the schedule by which they expected to profit.
 Quite In Keeping.
 This was quite in keeping with the color and complexion of the entire scheme. Evidence abounds in and about it, indicating that the welfare and inter- ests of the common people of our land, were not allowed to disturb in any un- pleasant degree the serenity of those having the work in hand. I believe this last exploit of the so-called friends of the tariff in its revision, should amply satisfy any thoughtful citizen, unbiased by interest that the spirit of high pro- tective tariff grows by indulgence and mocks what 1t feeds upon, and that It's progressive greed and ruthlessness is be- coming more and more a menace to the welfare and happiness of our people. How long has 1t been thought decent or even safe to cheat the consumers of coal by putting 1t on the free list. but dis honestly providing for It's custom taxa ton in other cunningly constructed pro- visions of the law? How recently have the friends of the tariff' had the bold ness to perpetrate such a trick and take the chances of facing the people. when in the painful stress of threatened coal famine it should be exposed
 q have called your attention to the fact that in 1877 competition, which. if un- restricted, might modify the weight upon our consumers of high protective tariff, ] nf na rtrn ,1xio