Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1906-08-24

endeaVor to do so, IL does not seeh
nossible for them to dodge the issue OF
tariff reform, in the congressional cleo
tions which are to be held this fall In
spite of the "Oyster Bay" conference
and Mr.. Roosevelt's complete change
of front, on the question of tariff re-
vision, like "Banquos Ghost" it VIII
not down. 1t is becoming more ana
more evident, every day, that the idea
is taking hold of the popular nina,
that the republican dogma OF pro-
tective tariff has worked and Is WORK
ing a gross injustice to the great oody
of the American people, and that 1t Is
of paramount importance that some
relief should be afforded from the OPP
Grafton of such policy.
The question is strictly an economic
one, and should not be viewed from
a political or partisan standpoint. 1t Is
common sense business proposition
and should be settled upon business
principles, that is to say, considera-
ton of the effect it has upon the great
majority of the people.
When sifted down to its last analy-
sis, can any one deny the inherent
right of every individual to "ouy
where he can buy cheapest, and sell
where he can sell dearest, and does he
not apply that rule in his daily trans
actions. What is the nation but an ag-
oregatlon of individuals, therefore
what is right for the individual is right
for the nation,
1t is true that revenue to defray the
expenses of the government is an I'M
perative necessity, but there is diver
sity of opinion as to how that revenue
is to be raised. There are many VINO
think that the most equitable method
is by direct taxation both on incomes
and property, but be that as 1t may,
there can be no question but that the
amount of revenue collected should be
bounded by the needs Of the govern
ment, economically administered. If
therefore a system of tariff dues is
deemed best, as a means OF collecting
that revenue, it should be adjusted, as
nearly as possible, to bear equally on
all, and most lightly on the necessities
of life.
Does it not appeal to the most OBJ
tuse mind, that there is something
"rotten in Denmark when, under eX-
listing methods, our Pampered manu-
facturers are enabled to charge the
home. consumers, their neighbors
vastly more than they do foreigners,
in the foreign market, for goods made
in the same factory, out Of the same
materials and shipped ON the same
day. 1t is notorious fact that they do
this very thing and the railroads. help
them in this nefarious discrimination,
by giving lower rates on goods intend
ed for shipment abroad, than on those
that are destined for the domestic
market. This is one of the most glar-
ing of the many injustices and inc
qualities of the protective tarlll, watch
is the mother and nurse of all the
trusts and combinations
nate this country. Destroy the protec-
tive. principle, and you clip the claws
o. the trusts.
The tariff rates as applied under eX
listing laws bear most heavily on artl
cles of necessity that enter into the
daily life and consumption of the
plain common people. The orly APP
proach to free trade is upon articles OF
luxury thatlgo into the homes OF the
millionares. 1t is no wonder that the
people are getting FESTIVE under these
conditions. The time has long passed,
when "patience ceases to be virtue.