Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-09-26
PARKER LETTER.
CONTINUED from page ~

all our people.
The Dineley tariff is excessive In
many of its rates, and, as to them at
least, unjustly and oppressively pur-
dens the people. 1t secures to doifles-
tic manufacturers, singly or IN COM
bioation. the privilege Of exacting ex-
cessive prices at home and prices far
a bove the level of sales made regularly
by them abroad with profit, thus CIV
ing a bounty to foreigners at the ex-
| pens of our OWN people. Its
unjust taxation burdens the people
generally, forcing them to pay exces-
sive nrices for food, fuel, clothing and
other necessaries of life. 1t levies du-
ties on many articles not normally inn
ported IN any considerable amount,
which are made extensively at home,
fer which the most extreme protection
! list would hardly justify protective
taxes, and which in large amounts are
exported. Such duties have been ana
viii, continue to be a direct incentive
70 the formation Of huge industrial
combinations, which, secure from for
eign competition, are enabled t0 stlfie
domestic competition and practically TO
monopoliZe the home market.
1t contains many duties imposed for
the express purpose only. us was open
" avOwed Of furnishing a basis for
reduction by means Of reciprocal trade
| treaties, which the Republican adj
rninistration, implicitly at least. prom
| ised to negotiate. Having, on this
promise secured the increased duties.
| the Republican party leaders. spurred
| on by protected interests, defeated the
treaties negotiated by the Executive
and now these same interests cling TO
the benefit of these duties which tn"
people never intended they should
have. and to which they have no moral
right.
| Even now the argument most fire.
ouently urged in behalf of the Dinsley
tariff, and against tariff reform gen.
orally, is the necessity of caring Tor
orr infant industries. Many of these
industries, after a hundred years OF
lusty growth. are looming up as IN
dustrial giants. In their case, NJ
least, the Dinglcy tariff invites COM
bination and monopoly, and glN'S
Justification to the expression that the
tariff is the mother of trusts
| For the aforementioned reasons.
among many others the people G'luand
reform of these abuses. and such re-
form demands and should recciv" I'M
mediate attention.
The two leading parties have always
differed as to the principle of customs
taxation. our party has always al
vanced the theory that the object is the
raising of revenue for support of the
government whatever other results
may incidentally flow therefrom. the
Republican party, on the other hAhd'
contends that customs duties sh"uli
b. levied primarily for protection, So
called, with revenue as the subordinate
| purpose thus using the power or taxa
ton to build up the business and prop
orty Of the few at the expense Of the
many.
This difference Of principle still
subsists. but our party appreciates that
, the long continued policy ~ the
country. as mamifes,"d i'll its statutes.
, makes it necessary that tariff reform
. should be prudrutly and sHglci1usly
undertaken. on scientific principles, To
th,. end that there should not he an
immediate revolution in existing con-
! diti"ns.
|
demand - revision and %radual re-
duction of the tariff by the friends OF
the masses. and for the common veal,
,rau1 not by the friends of its abuses, It's
: extprtinns and determinations.
In my response to your comAnVt""'
roiutrd out the mcthCd under Wi'tch
, = gradual reduction of customs duties
may Ie accomplished without disturb
ing business conditions. | desire az 'in
. tn ..xprcss the opinion that this method
, should he followed.
II is true that the Republicans. who
, do not admit in their platform that the
pinClov Tariff needs the slightest
, alteration, are likely to retain
IN, ioritv of the Federal Senate
i. throughout the next Presidential term,
ana could. therefore. if they chose,
, block every attempt at legislative re-
n.f I.ut il should he remembered That
, ne Republican party includes many
r.yisionists, and I believe 1t will SHRINK
from defying the popular will expressed
. Enthusiastically and pcremptorily at the
, ballot box.
, The penple demand reform Of existing
! Conditions. Since he last Democratic
7 al
criayously Increased. ThnS" HAVING
fxed incomes have suffered kcenly
;. those living ON wages. If there ha@
= baon any increase, know that such in
!, crease has not kept pace with IN
, | ,5yan ~ in the cost of living. inclu lima
, rent and the necesSl"i"s of life. Man :
today are out Of work unable tn secure
any wages at all. IT, alleviate th"Se
conditions in so far as is in orr power
. sbouId I've our earnest Cnd"avor.
:. I PORTED ont in NV earlier rrsponS5
=, the remedy which In MY judgment
c. can effectually be applied against
-. monopolies. and tn assurance was
=, thou given that If cvistng laws, in
cluding both statute and common law
=. proved inadequate, contrary to nv OK
Rotations. favor such further legisla-
ton. within constitutional limitations
, as will hest promot" and safeguard tbs
interests of all the people.
q Whether there is any common law
which can h. applied ard enforced ny
the Federal courts. counot be deter
'r mined nv the President. or by a candi