The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-05-16

means and opportunities 10 which every
member of society has an equal right Of
access we call the earth. therefore all
men have an equal right TO the use OF
the earth. II all men have an equal right
to the use of the earth they have an equal
right OF access 70 every portion OF the
earth hence for the privilege Of exclusive
possession Of any portion OF the earth so
ciety should exact a full equivalent.
sN'his equivalent Is exactly the economic
rent which should be turned into the
public treasury 10 be expended by the
agent OF society. government. for the
benefit of all the people. This Will con-
stitute a fund In which every member OF
society Is equally interested and which
society has not only the right 10 control
but which II Ia It's duty 10 control Hav-
Ing such right and duty II has the rghtful
power TO delegate such control 10 Its
agent. government In this way. too
every one will contribute equally 10 the
support OF government. which is proper
as every one receives equal protection
from government
when you tax houses. money, crafts,
furniture. capitol or any other form OF
wealth YOU take from individuals what
rightfulIy belongs 10 them, and which
no other individual nor aggregation OF in
dividuals has the right 10 appropriate
without their consent.
"If you do appropriate such property you
violate the right Of the individual TO
property and in the name OF the state
commit robbery. But when you tax
ground values into the public treasury
you take from individuals what does not
belong 10 them but belongs 10 soci-ty
and cannot he left 10 individuals without
the robbery Of other individuals
The most insidous and therefore the
L.. y
is by means OF a protective tariff. It's eff
feet Is to transfer the taxing power,
which is an usurpation at best, from the
government to private individuals. II Is
impossible 10 estimate with any degree or
accuracy the cost to the American people
yearly In private taxation OF the Dingley
abomination. we can only measure the OPP
portunities for plunder which IL opens up
TO its benefciaries.
In the year 1900 according IN the census
the value OF the products of the iron and
steel industries OF the United States was
SS3b, 759, ,034. The domestic price or steel
rails Is S2s per ton This gives the eduiva-
lent OF 10000. 0o0 tons OF steel rails.
The duty on steel rails Is s7.s4 per ton.
So that an opportunity TO tax the Ameri-
can consumers OF iron and steel TO the
amount OF s2S5 10000 Is presented TO the
steel trust and affiliated concerns. How
much OF this s235. 10000 they actually did
collect we have no means OF knowing, we
simply know that steel rails of American
manufacture are being delivered abroad
at SIS per ton which Is ten dollars below
the domestic price And the same phe-
nomenon Is presented by many OF the
other protected industries In agricultural
implements the export price has for
years been but fraction OF the domestic
price.
No wonder Senator Dolliver told the
young Republicans with gray billy goat
whiskers and petes that shone like glass
bottles on Friday night that 'the tariff IL
an issue" 1t is an issue and like Christ's
"the poor We save with We always" will
continue 10 be an iseue until tariffs and
taxes are abolished from the face OF the
earth J. w.