The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-07-24

We want n good strong ticket and
one that will present the best senti-
ments of our party. 1t is the duty
Of the Democrats to give us this and
we believe that they fully realize the
seriousness of the situation.
Don't forget the Democratic
Primaries, tomorrow, Satur-
day afternoon. Hours I to 7
P. NJ, except Havre de Grace,
l to 8 P. M. 1t is the duty of
every Democrat to record his
sentiments.
REVISING THE TARIFF.
To show the necessity of revising
the tariff attention is called to bar
barous duties, averaging one hundred
per cent. on wooden clothing to COM
pensate the manufacturers for the
exorbitant rates that they are COM
PEELED to pay for their raw wool,
chiefly for the benefit of the ranch
owner trusts of the Rocky Noun
tains. These duties, in creating an
artificial scarcity in woolens, have
inaugurated a new reign of shoddy,
that had almost gone out of existence
during the time that the Wilson Bill
was in force. For a time during
President Cleveland's administra-
ton, taxes were abolished on salt.
This was put back again by the
Dingley tariff mainly to enhance the
profits of the trusts. In the schedule
of chemicals, which is full of alb
surdities, alizarian is on the free list
while the rest of the coal tar colors
are subject to duty of thirty per
cent. During the past fiscal year
the exports of iron and steel manu-
facturers amounted to more than
$SO,0s0,O0O. If these products can be
made to come in competition with
free trade companies like England, is
it necessary to maintain high tariff
duty to protect these industries?
From unnecessary taxation the
sum of $15O,OOO,OOO is now lying in
the different banks in the country to
the credit of the Government. This
means approximately So unneces-
sarily, and therefore unjustly, collect
ed from 100000 population of
this country. Tariff, being an in
siduous tax, is taken from the poor
in almost the same proportion as
from the rich, especially when it is
placed on necessities and not luxuries
as the present Dingley Bill. The
reason for this adjustment is not GER
tain and it seems 20 be more the re-
suit of a jumbling than anything else.
Immediately after the passage of the
law in 1896, a protest was raised
against its many unfair provisions.
Despite this fact the Republican lead
ers refuse to change a single iota,
preferring ito let well enough alone"
The recent double jointed Iowa
platform is am expression alike of
dread Of the tariff issue, and of the
ruling homage, of the support of free
trade. 1.-THE Republican leaders were
really sincere in their declaration
that duties too high should be re-
duced, they would have accompanied
this with pledge to proceed to a
reduction in the next Congress. With
majority in both Houses and the
cordial support of the Democratic
minorities, a tariff bill in harmony
with a portion of the Iowa platform
could be adopted, instead of relegat-
ing the whole thing to an indefinite
corner. The trouble, however, seems
to be that the tariff mongers, who
control the Republican party, do not
seem to know or care what duties
are too high or too low. In 1882 a
commission of moderate protection
lists, appointed by President Arthur,
made report in favor of a twenty
per cent. reduction in war duties.
The Republican Congress responded
by raising the rates. After eight
years, duties were materially in
creased under the Mckinley tariff.
The moderate Wilson Bill of 1894
was succeeded by the existing act
which causes much contention.
1t is apparent that the Republican
party intends to do nothing, and if
the people at large wish to be relieved
from the burdens of taxation, as
we'll as at the same time aim deadly
blow at the trusts, they will be COM
PEELED to support the Democratic
nominees, who will heed their request.
Since 1896 all three branches of the
Government have been in Republican
hands and the party is directly re-
sponsible for the present state of
affairs.
DEATH OF POPE LEO.
Pope Leo XIII died in his pontiG-
cial palace on Monday. Hewas over
ninety-three years ofage. The length
of his pontiticiate was over twenty
five years. He was undoubtedly the
greatest reigning monarch of the
Catholic Church and his influence did
much to broaden this religious creed.
He had tho racpect Of everv ra1ioio,,S