Speech #530089030

We have alandextending through many degrees of latitude and longitude that is capable of producing everything known to the vegetable kingdom. while our mines of mineral wealth are diversified and practically inexhaustible. We honor labor as the source of all wealth. and it is the labor of American manhood that has developed the resources of the country and is today its power and safety. I. has been the policy and plan. for the past thirty years. of wise American statesmanship to raise about onehalf of the expense of the Government by placing an import duty upon the products of other lands that comeinto this country for consumption or use of our people. and to so adjust these duties that they will best protect and foster American industries. and thereby dignify and protect American labor against the cheap. s rvile. and contract labor of foreign lands. That this is the correct principle is evidenced from the fact that during this time our industrial interests have been stimulated and our people prosperous. contented. and happy. The bill before us for consideration. designated a tariff for revenue. proposes to take from the import duties $75.000.000. which is simply a license the producer pays for the privilege of entering into our home market with his merchandise on equal terms with one to the manor born. and imposes this additional burden upon our own people in the form of increased excise duty and an income tax upon the gain or profit made by their diligence. industry. and enterprise.