The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-03-17
Excessive Taxes an OUTRAGE.

TFI-
sonable. are a necessary evil though
often highly burdensOme to the citizen.
but the privilege of Indirectly levying
tribute or cXacting excessive taxation
from the masses for the benefit of pri-
Vate corporations. especially when Ger
rupty acquired from the government is,
simply an outrage.
Our great natural resources and in
duStrlal strength present to nv mind the
very best reason against a high tariff
tax. General deductions drawn from SUI
perficial comparisons of conditions of
different countries are. generally speak
ing. valueiess, but by d wide comDari-
son of many countries. their past and
present conditions, we may hope to ar
rive at correct conclusions. To under
stand better the abuses of our present
tarltt II Il necessary TO be familiar with
tariff history. one if not THE excuse
for its existence. IS the necessity for
protection To infant industries. to help
the manufacturer, pay high wages while
competing with countries where low
wages prevail
'ThUse who have failed 60 read the
heroic struggle for free trade i'm England
more than half a century since arc igno
rant of important history. the reading of
which will fire the blood Of every lover
of Justice. Governor Cummings of Iowa
Republican. said: All the robberies and
thefts committed by all the insurance or
ficers since the life insurance business
was originated do not amount to the OK
tortion due 10 the Dmgiey tariff for one
year
Legislation for Wealth.
"Our legislation FOR many years has
been in favor of the manufacturer and
against the consumer. In favor of a scar
city and against abundance to increase
the wealth of the great manufacturing
and transportation corporations. The
wealth and prosperity of the people has
become OF little Importance. Government
cannot be at the same time Il fountain of
generosity To the manufacturer and of
justice TO the consumer. If privileges are
given they must be limited to a few. for
II enjoyed by all of many they cease to
be n privilege.
The riches and abundance of cur soil
and mineral deposits. and our natural
advantages. coupled with our iDspiriug
free institutions. with absolute freedom
Of trade between our states. with their
varied products. have greatly decreased
the enormous burdens of our high tariff
taxes. And in consequence thereof t5,a
ordinary citizen. absorbed in his work
and being permitted to enjoy slight nor
ton of the prosperity prevailing through
out the world, gives but little attention
10 the eXtOrtlOnS which a protective ta-
riff or any other tax imposes upon him
until hard comes come. and then with
the wealth of the country in the hands
of few. he feels the sting of want. he
is desperate and strikes at the nearest
power, which he, in his ignorance con-
ceives to be responsible for his condition
Then populism, socialism and anarchisnn
ere a balm for his troubles; at least, he
is disposed to fly to them
Worship of Wealth.
SO much has been said of late in praise
of great fortunes and the acquisition f
wealth. that even those from whom 1t
is unjustly filched by unfair government
tai aid join in the admiration and wor-
ship of wealth, even predatory wealth.
Just as do the poverty-strickep and OBJ
pressed masses in effete monarchies main
tain their royal sristocratic drones, and
admire and almost worship the glamour,
tgappings and display of royalty, whom
they support in the worst form OF in
enlightened way, and under the outward
ferns OF liberty and equality. not the
same but a like privileged class is rap
idly growing up; indeed. has grown up
try, and is becoming just as powerful