The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-07

power has been exercised by Congress
largely in the direction OF the imposi-
ton of duties pom imports No
expects TO change this arrangement.
which IA proven so convenient TO the
general government and so conducive
to the interests OF the states, who's re-
sort 10 other sources of revenue is left
untrammeled. Indirect taxation, how
ever convenient, needs, by reason OF its
i~ndirectness, TO be watchfully guarded.
lest abuses should attach themselves
by the people.
That many of the existing tariff rates
are excessive and enable powerful cofn-
binations TO ectort unjust and oppres-
siye tribute from the people cannot be
co~ntroverted The tariff is undoubtedly
too high upon such articles as enables
the manufactures TO sell his products
abroad cheaper than at home. Steer
rails are a conspicuous example in his
respect. II is admitted that they are
being made for SIS a ton. A few years
g they were freely Did in this coun-
try at 81 a ton. They are now selling
al the mills here for home consumption
at SIS a ton. and for the foreign mar
ket arfrom SIS 10 SD a ton. This un>
just discrimination against our people
is made possible only by a tariff tina OF.
this article is entirely too high.
The average selling price OF a hun
dred articles. taken principally from the
iron and steel list. IS found TO Be about
20 per cent. higher in this country than
abroad. Relief from these conditions
Wiz only come through the success OF
the Democratic party, which stands
for a wise, conservative and gradual
change in the tariff laws. which will
equalize the burdens Of taxation and
make honest competition possible. But
in making such changes it's III will
be to legislate with a due regard for
the labor n capital involved in indus
trial enterprises.
TRUSTS.
United States between two and three
hundred combinations of capital and
corporate interests known as trusts,
which have grown UP N ten last few
years under Republican rule. Some of
them are SO conducted as to be perni-
cious and harmful to the general in
terest. With the power they are able
to exert, they can lessen competition,
control prices n regulate to their own
advantage the law Of supply and de-
mand. Individual effort is helpless
against such strong rivals, and the ma
tural right of all persons to barter and
trade is unnaturally restricted. The
effort of these trusts is to control or
~monopolize, n these monopolies, when
unrestrained, seem to produce condi-
tions which bring about strikes and dis
orders, and disturb the business affairs
of the country.
LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT.
Local self-government, that came to
us not as the gift of the National Cow
eminent, but as the legitimate outcome
of the reserve powers Of the states and
of the people, is the very corner stone
of our political structure, and the best
assurance of liberty regulated by law
1t can only be maintained by strict OBJ
of the limitations of the Fed
eral Constitution. The Democratic par
ty has always resisted, n will con-
tinue to resist, the. e~ncroachment by it's
enemies upon the fundamental right OF
the people of the several states. All
power comes from the people, and
be surrendered only in the in
terests of the people, n whenever this
power is used for selfish interests it is
not only an abuse, but usurpation.
ARBITRATION.
The declaration IN the st. Louis plat
form in favor of arbitration is one that
appeals to my sense of fairness. Ma
tons and states have employed to ad-
vantage this method of settling disput-
ed questions. states have invoked its
aid with good results, and individuals
frequently have resort to it in adjust
ing questions of difference. The Hague
Tribunal, representing the sentiment or
Cancellation, is the highest practical eX-
preston of intelligent thought on this
subject. Fhe principles of arbitration
are the same, whether governing in the
great Court of Nations or applied in the
affairs of industrial life Its permanent
establishment as a part OF the indus
trial system of the country, upon a
basis of mutual consent Of all parties to
a controversy, would insure more
friendly relations between employer and
employed, for the interest of the work
ingman and the employer is identical.
1t affords q safe. and equitable method
of determining differences that may
arise, and has been called "a reaSona>
bic and natural mode of settling such
disputes. The spirit of arbitration is
kindred to the love of law and order.
1t is the arbfter Of peace instead IF
of sorrow.
RACE ISSUE.
All lovers of their country must de-
precate the rehabilitation by the Repub-
lican party of a disappearing race issue.
at a time when every effort should be
made to promote rather than retard the
progress which was being made in the
states where slavery had existed, to-
ward kindlier ressafions between the
two races. Tue revival of this issue.
with all it's attendant evils, must of
necessity retard the development of the
Southern states, whose people are
struggling manfuly with conditions
left by the war, and seriously interferes
with the Industrial progress Of both
races.
FRAUD In THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
Population and fraud in the public
service under the present administra-
ton, especially in the Postoffice and
Land departments, reached such pro-
portions that knowledge of the evils
practiced became public property. Pros
ecutions naturally followed. but a thor
ough and impartial investigation by
Congress, proposed and urged by the
Democratic minority, was refused by
the Republicans at the mandate, it is