French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1916-1919, 1916-08-31
THE PLEDGE REDEEMED.

cratic National Convention in Baltf
more four years ago, and upon which
Governor woodrow Wilson was elected
president, declared: "We favor the inn
mediate downward revision of the ex-
listing high and. in many cases. pro-
hibitive tariff dunles." The promise
has been fully kept. Mr.. Wilson did
not wait for the Congress to convene
in regular session to begin the work
of reforms he had th mind. Instead
of procrastinating, the president call
ed an extraordinary session of the law
making body and proceeded to busi-
ness. Democratic leaders in both
branches of congress Joined hands
with the new chief and after weeks OF
arduous labor succeeded in placing
the Underwood-Simmon tariff bill on
the statute books, in accordance with
the promises made and provided"
The Underwood Simmons bill recog-
nizes the cardinal principle of De-
mocracy which represents that the
Federal government has no right or
power to impose or collect tariff duties
except for the purposes of revenue.
The Ubiquitous tariff taxes imposed by
previous Republican administrations
were assailed by the Democrats on
every platform during the campaign
of 1912. and the people registered their
emphatic approval Of the Democratic
position. in the election of Woodrow
Wilson as president of the Republic
owe the protest of tariff barons and
trust magnates.
And it ts q matter Of state pride that
Senator Simmons. of our own state,
was the accredited representative Of
the administration throughout the fast
and furious struggle which resulted h
such a signal triumph for the masses
of this country. So it is that a North
Carolina statesman shares the honor
with another distinguished Southern
representative in the enactment of q
law which has "unfettered industry
and commerce Of its control over pro-
duction, distribution, and prices" A
bill which, in a large measure, re-
moves the burden of taxation from
necessities and places it upon the
Iuxuries of life. 1t also provides an
income tax and an excise, or corpora
ton income tax which requires the
weather. classes to share the burden
Of financing the government with the
masses of the people. Summariz ng:
It reduces by nearly one-half form
er duties On all foodstuffs.
1t places raw wool on the free Fist.
1t reduces by nearly two-thirds for
mer duties on wooden clothing.
It's reductions are greatest On the
cheaper articles of wearing apparel.
1t reduces by one-third the duties
formerly paid On cotton clothing.
It reduces the duties formerly paid
on g and abolishes the duty entire,
1y in 1916.
1t reduces by one-third the duties
formerly paid on earthenware and
glassware.
Il aboEshes all duties On meats, fish,
dairy products, -four, potatoes. coal,
iron ore. lumber and upon many
classes of farm machinery and Office
equipment.
1t reduces the duties on practically
adj articles which enter thto the daily
life of the average American con-
sumner.
1t admits free of duty imports to
the value of nearly one hundred and
fifty thousand Of dollars annually.
Practically all these imports are arEI
cles of prime necessity.
It places the heaviest rates Of duty
upon articles which are Injuries.
1t raised a from custom
duties of $27O. O0O, 900 for the year
1914.
These deductions, made by Demo-
cratic leaders, but feebly express the
value to the American consumer that
the Underwood Simmons bill has
shown itself to be. On June 80. 1916,
there was in the United States Treas
ury as a balance of revenue yielded
by this bill, the stupendous sum of
$236.S79,S20. Is any further argu-
ment needed to prove that the meas
ure, produced by a Democratic con-
sress- IS a most gratifying success?
Is any further argument needed to
snow that the Democratic party has
kept faith with the people?