The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1844-07-27

Mr.. POLK'S LATE ANTt-TARIFF
LETT TER REVIEWED, AND HIS POSI-
TON DEFINED.
The following clear and distinct view
ol tie positions of the two residential
candidates On the Tariff question was pre-
scented by the Hon. ANDREW STEWART in
a discussion which occurred in the Court
House on Friday evening:
Mr., STEWART commenced by saying
that to understand the subject, ii was ner
cessary in the first place to ascertain what
the PRESENT views and opinions of Mr..
Clay and Mr.. Polk were upon the tariff;
and then TO see what would be the pract-
cal operation aud effect Of these principles
upon the interests Of the country, if carried
out IN the administration of the govern
ment.
Mr.. Clay's position, he said, was well
understood he is for the Wing tariff of
1912, he has so declared himself repeat
eddy; in proof it is only necessary to re-
fer TO his Harrisburg letter OF the lllh of
May. 1914, in which he says:
"Tne Tariff act of 1912 has been bitter
Iy denounced, and gross eplhets applied
to it. It's repeal was pronounced to be
Iavorite object Of oar political opponents.
They have majority of some fifty or sixty
i'll the House. A bill to repeal that Tariff
has been pending great part of the pre-
sent session Of Congress. And yet, yes
terday, on test vote, ma jority of the
House decided against the repeating bill,
tearing TIE TARIFF OF 1912 iii full
and SALUrARY operation! This decis-
ion was AN involuntary concession of our
political opponents TO the WISDOM and
BENlFICENCE + Wing policy produc-
ed by the returning prosperity of The coun-
try, and the enlightened opinion of the
people"
Thus you see Mr. Clay declares him
self unequlvocally and decidedly for the
Wing tar1 Of 1912. Fortlnatey within
the last hour, said Mr.. S.. have been fur
nIshed with Mr.. Folks late letter to Mr..
Kane, of Philadelphia, on the subject of
the tariff; he pronounced it by far the most
important document, that had appeared
since the Presidential nomnations-im-
Porlant, because it defines and fires Mr..
Poik's position, heretofore so eqnvocal,
on the la'ltl question-it fixes him now
and at all times distinctly for the repeal of
the tariff of 1912, and for the adoption of
a horizontal tariff of 20 per cent. all valor-
EN-, discriminating below that amount for
revenue. In a public discussion in Tenn
essee, as late as April 1913, Mr.. Polk
says:
II am in favor Of repeating the act of
the last Congress, (the act Of lSl2,) and
restoring the compromise tariff act OF
March ID, 1883"
Which, Mr. Polk says, s'will afford SUI
ficient protection to the manufacturers and
is all they ought to desire, or to which
they are enitled-thus 30 per cent. is
what Mr.. Polk in the language of his let
ter to Mr. KaEc, considers "FA,R AND
JUST PROTECTION TO ALL the GREAT IN
TEREsTs OF the WHOLE UNIoN-embrac-
ing agriculture, manufactures, and the
mechanic arts. commerce and navigation"
IN this letter Mr.. Polk says expressly my
opinions upon the tariff have often been
given to the public; they are to be found
in my PUBLIC ACTS and the PUBLIC DIS
cUssloNs in which | have participated"
and here they are. 81 ain IN tGUOr Of
tie rcpcal ofMc tarif Of 1912, and ofrc-
starring the Compromise oci of I'd starch,
1888" This is Mr.. Folks present posi-
ton as defined by hirnsell-lhere can be
no dispute about it. This letter settles
the matter Mr. Clay is then for the
Tariff Of 1912, Mr.. Polk denounces it as
ruinous, and says he is for restoring the
compromise act Of 90 per cent, as the high
est rate of duty.
TO remove all doubt as to Mr.. Folks
position, here is his letter, wor,i for word.
The loose and unmeaning slang in the
concluding paragraph, about Gust and fair
projections" c&n humbug no. body-the
first paragraph referring to his public acts
and public discussions for his present OPP
inons, settles The question--hear him:
COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE,
June 18Th, lS44
DEhR Sm.---I have received recently several
letters in reference to my opinions on the subject
OF The larlt, ana ana among othcrS yours OF inc
3Oth ultmo. My opinions on this subject have
been often given to the public. They are to be
found in my public acts, and in the public discus
sions in which | have participated.
| am in favor ola tariff for revenue, snch one
as will yield il sufficient amount TO the Treasury
to delray the expenses OF the Government econo-
mically administered. In adjusting the details of
revenue tariff have heretofore sanctioned
such moderate discriminating duties, as would
produce the amount ofreveuue needed, and at the
same time afford reasonable incidental protection
TO our home industry. am opposed TO tariff
for protection merely and not for revenue.
Acting upon these general principles, it is well
known that gave my support TO the policy of
General Jackson's administration on this subject,
voted against the tariff act of 1928. voted
for the act Of 1882, which contained modification,
of some of the Objectionable provisions oftho act
.rlanS A. a n,nr,hnr ~ 10 q &C Il Nnrs