The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-08-25

| misses and evidently mad many old
admirers in the audience. He made
q great mistake dwelling so long in
his speech upon Mayor Rhett.
Speaking of the financial question
and the tariff would we be permit
ted to submit few remarks?
AS before stated these questions
will always be with us; they can nev-
er be finally and satisfactorily settl-
ed.
1t is larceny to steal horse; but
is it stealing for starving man to
pllfer loaf of bread
1t IS murder to slay man; but is
it murder for the shipwrecked mari
ner, starving and thirsting unto
death, to eat the fish and drink the
warm blood Of his companion.
A celebrated lawyer once told a
student to read the law, but to study
the facts.
Our government is a compromise
it is found upon compromise, and
every vital element contained in it has
grown out Of mutual recession.
One element has always contend.
ed that the Government alone should
issue all money; another element
has contended from the formation OF
the government that the govern.
ment should authorize individuals
(banks are combination of indivi.
duals) to issue the money.
The one-the issuance of money
by the governments the republi-
can (Democratic) idea; the other
the Issuance of money by individuals
through banks-is the monarchical
(Republican) idea. In England and
France money is issued by the Bank
of England and the Bank of France
respectively practically without gov
ernmental control.
In the formation Of our govern
ment-and even until yet-there are
some who contend that the banks
should issue our money; while there
are others who insist that the govern
ment alone should issue all money.
The result was compromise to
which both the Democratic and Re-
publican parties are comIlted at this
day; that Is to say, the government
issues all metal money and certain
amount of paper money, while the
National Banks are authorized to
issue the balance of our paper
money.
But this has not settled the ques-
ton; both parties are forever strug-
Cling to have their original ideas
adopted.
Whenever steps are taken to en-
large the issue of currency by the
government bitter fight is joined
at once with those who beieve that
the banks alone should issue our
money; and on the other hand
whenever it is attempted 10 enlarge
the power of the banks to issue mon
ley an equally vigorous fight S
aroused.
1t is the same with the tariff. And
by the way tariff means taxation
Both the Republican and Democratic
parties are committed to the tariff
policy Of supporting our Government
At one time there were those led
by the great Calhoun who insisted
that the Government could not lay
tariff at all; while on the other
hand it was as strenuously contended
the government could levy a tariff
even to the extent of protecting GER
tain Industries.
The result was again a compro.
mise in which it was finally agreed
that the Government could levy a
tariff, but that it should not be too
high and should affect all classes as
nearly equal as possible.
The only difference between the
+ Democratic and Republican parties
today upon the tariff question is as
to the amount of this tax. and as to
its proper distribution.
The Republicans insist that it
should be so high as to protect the
manufacturing industries and the
workmen, and If surplus is created
| the Goernment should eXpend 1t
! literally for internal improvements.
On the other hand the Democrats
declare that only a sufficient amount
should be raised to pay the actual
expenses of the Government. and that
only such protection as this affords
shond be allowed the manufacture
ing industries. and that even this tax
should he levied mostly on articles OF
luxury used by the rich.
This difference raises the much
discussed tariff question about which
we hear so much.
The Democrats say it is too high:
and the Republicans say it is Just
right now.
Between the two the Southern
or gets it Just where Ed Smiths old
paralytic churchman got il at tho
experience meeting, right in the
neck.
Joshua Hardstrong
Issues Challenge.