Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-08-29

controlled by trust he placed an the
Years ago Mr.. Havemeycr. the head
OF the sugar trust. said that the tariff
was the mother OF trusts. and her chill
dren are many. Secretary Taft In his
notification speech says that an .x-
cessve tariff serves no useful purpose
but offers II temptation To those who
would monopolize the production and
the sale of such articles IN this coun-
try TO profit by the excessive rate"
Now. suppose the manufacturers
who have been favored by legislation
do conspire against the public aud en-
ter into monopoly. What penalty do
the Republicans suggest: None what
ever These men are TO he consulted
about proposed changes. and II the next
Republican tariff Is made like former
Republican tariffs nothing will be done
without the unanimous consent of the
beneficlarics.
What would be the effect Of the
remedy proposed by the Democratic
platform? Simply this: 4 law goes
into effect AT some fixed date In the
future. and IL the Democrats pass n
law putting upon the free list articles
coming into competition with those con.
trolled by trust the trust will have
until that date TO dissolve. II the trust
considers the law too drastic il can
avoid II by giving up It's monopoly
The Poor Bear the Burden.
The second step in the reduction OF
the tariff is Il material reduction upon
the necessities OF life. especially upon
goods competing with such American
manufactures as are sold abroad more
eheapy than at home" Al present the
articles used by the poor bear a higher
rate ad valorem than the articles used
by the rich This statement can he
verified by an examination Of any Of
the schedules \ tax upon consump
ton. even when laid with absolute i'm
Partially. bears heaviest upon the
poor, because our necessities are much
more uniform than our possessions.
People do not eat In proportion 10 their
income. they do not wear clothing in
proportion To their income they do not
use taxed goods IN proportion to their
income. As all taxes must come out
OF ones income. no matter through
what system levied or collected they
are. in effect. income taxes. and taxes
on consumption are really graduated
Income tho lIrUnef tknr Hp-
Ing collected from those with the
smallest income and the smallest per
cent from those with the largest in.
come. II is only fair. therefore. that
In an attempt TO relieve the people
from the inlquities Of a high tariff the
poor who are overburdened should be
given first consideration
Surely no one will object TO II reduc
ton being made upon articles which
come into 'mpetition with American
manufactures which are sold abroad
more cheaply than AT home The Amer
lean manufacturer who sends his goods
to foreign lands and there. without
any protection whatever. completes
successfully with the manufacturers Of
all the world does not need high tar
in 10 meet competition In the home
market. And there are enough articles
sold abroad at "a low price To assure Il
large advantage to the American con
sumers through the carrying out Of
this one plank.
Mr.. Taft. however. finds the great
est alarm IN the following clause In
our platform.
Gradual reductions should be made
in such other schedules as may be nec
basis
He regards this threatened departure
from the protective system as fatal.
We are here brought face 10 face with
the theoretical difference between the
positions of the two parties ON the sub
ject Of tari,l The Democratic party
regards Il tariff law as revenue law.
the protection II gives being incidental:
the Republican party regards tariff
law as framed primarily for protection,
the revenue being incidental. ~ the
effect ~ a given rate on, II particular
article Is the same whether levied for
the purpose of revenue or for the pur-
pose ~ protection II may he well TO
define the difference between revenue
tarin and Il protective tariff 4 rev
enuc tarif Is 81 framed as 10 collect
a revenue. and you stop when you get
enough: protective tariff may he so
framed as to collect hut little revenue
and yet lay heavy burden upon the
people. and you never know when TO
stop To Illustrate a tariff may he
made So high rs 10 absolutely prohibit
Importation II IN such ease the
manufacturers yield Ia the temptation
mentioned by Mr. Taft and combine to
take advantage ~ the duty the consum.
ers will be heavily taxed. and vet none
Of the money Will reach the treasury
All Taxed to Benefit q Few.
Is It right 10 tax all "f the people for
the benefit Of few; Where II com.
munity has attempted TO collect taxes
Cor the aud Of an industry even when