Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1844-08-08


To make assurance duubly sure, and TO make
that cerlain which was never doubtful, | have
taken his letter TO Mr. Kane, and inserted at the
proper places the "oplnious," "public acts
"puhllc discussions" .recOrded votes" and
published speeches" of Mr. Polk-showing
that instead of there being any change or ar III
his opinions, or any concealmenl, there is
beautiful harmony in The whole. exhibited with
unmistakable dls,inc.ness. The parts in italics
constitute the whole letter TO Mr.. Kane, uer6o-
tim. The other portions marked as quotations
are from the letters, speeches aud addresses oi
Mr.. Polk. E.CB.
COLUMBIA, Tennessee, June 10, 1914.
Dear Sr II haze received recently seoeral
letters in reference to my opinions on the subject
of the Tariff and among Others yourS Of the 3Oth
ultimo. My opinions on Mis subject hare been
often giuen 10 the pubic. They are to be found
in my public acts and in the public discussions an
,vhich hare participated. u steadily during
the period was representative in Congress
opposed protective policy, as NY recorded
votes and published speeches prove" 81 voted
against the bill for the better protection OF wool
and wooens in 1927" 81 was opposed 10 the
protective Tariff of 1923 and voted against it,"
" voted against The bill to prevent frauds in the
importation of foreign products in 1923. vo-
ted for The consideration Of MIR. Barringer's res
oluion TO reduce the duty on coarse wool,
woolens, sugar, &c. In 1890. My own oPin-
ion is that wool should be duty free" Since
retired from Congress have held the same
opinions" "Al who have observed my course
know that have a, all times been opposed 10
the protective policy"
am in faUor Of a Tariff for reUenue, such
one as wiH yield sufficient amount to The Treas
uy to defay the erpenses Of the Government
economically administered In adjusting the de-
tails of Revenue Tariff 1 haze heretofore sane
toned such moderate discriminating duties as
,poud produce the amount of reuenue needed, and
at the same time afford reasonable incidental pro-
lection to cvr o,cn ,adustry :" | vo,ed for the
act of 1882 because il reduced the. Tariff of
1923 TO lower rates" Il voted for The COM
promise act, which reduced The rates of 1882
10 still lower rates. and finally brough, the rates
of The aci OF e32 down 10 point at which no
article was, after the 30lh June, 1912, 10 be
subject to higher daly than 20 per cent
"The incidental protection afforded by the 90
per cent duty will afford sufficient protection to
The manufacturers" q am IN favor of Ia
riff for revenue. and opposed to Tariff for pro-
lection" | am opposed to a Tariff for prOtec-
ton merely, and mol for reuenue. :" am opposed
TO the Tariff &C, OF 1912, considering it 10 be
in many respects of this character"
Acting upon these general principles, it as yell
known that | gaue my support to the policy Of
| Genl Jackson's administration on this subject
"He recommended notifications and reduc-
ton. OF The Tariff with view TO the final aban-
donmen. of the odious and unjust system" 1
poted against the Tariff act Of 1928. poted
for the Tariff act of ls32 whtch contained modi
fcations of some Of the Objectionable provisions Of
| the act of s26. because il reduced the Tariff
of 1928 to lower rates. That made some re-
duction, though not so much as | desired 10
have made" As member ofthe Committee Of
WayS and Means of the House Of Representa-
tues gaue my assent to a bill reported By that
Committee in December, 1882, making further
notifications of the duties which it proposed
That bill did not pass, but ,cas superseded BY the
bill commonly called the Compromise BN, for
uh,ck uoted This was the law when the
Wing Congress came into power. By the Ia
riff &C, of The 30lh of August, l842. the COM
promise acl was violated and repealed. am
| in favor OF repeating tina, act and restoring the
compromise Tariff ac, Of March I'd, 1888" "by
which no article was after the 3Olh OF June,
1872 10 be subjec, TO duty higher Than %
per cent"
In my judgment 1t is the duty Of the GOOern-
ment to ertend, far as may be practicable TO do
so by its reuenue laos and oil other means wfthin
ITS pOwer jar and just protection to all tie great
interests of the Union. embracing agriculture,
manufactures, tie mechanic arts. commerce and
navigation Il am IN favor of restoring the
compromise act Of 1888, believing, as do, that
The incidental protection afforded by The 90 pei
cent duty especially, when paid in cash and on
The home valuation, will afford sufficient protec.
uon TO the manufacturers, and all thai they
ough, 10 desire or 10 which they are entitled ;
I heartily approve the resolutions upon ih,s sub
ject, passed by the Democratic National Conuen
tion lately assembled at Baltimore.
i / am NTH great respect, Dear Sir. your OBJ
serut. JAMES K POLK.
/ JOHN. X. KANE. Esq. Philadelphia.
4 Bear j, in mind lha, James X. Polk is op
posed 10 the Tariff OF 1912