Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-08-07
The Theory Of The Tariff.

nc mtolt Ot tie
A theory is defined TO be plan or system which, il
followed, WILL according to the theorist, be sure to
produce certain results. The tariff Of 1872, Ia franz
ing which its particular theorists had their way
without obstacle, promised TO give protection 10 all
lnterests-agriculture, commerce, manufactures and
the mechanic arts, all to be rendered prosperous
y oy It's operitcn. Give said the manufacturers.
"a good feast out Of the public crib, and we will
give cold cut TO the merchants, side table to the
mechanics, and the crumbs to the farmer. You take
lcare OF US, and we will take good care Of them"
Let us see how in practice this theory has been
lcarried out. As to the manufacturers il seems that
they not content; for they cannot afford to pay
higher wages 10 their workmen, and they labor hard
to prove that they cannot get high prices for their
products they did before this theory was tried.
They want something more for success. The curren-
cy must be submitted TO the theory of bank left,
it is, freely to the natural laws of trade, il
does not suit them. The raw material and the dye
suffs used by them taxed high by average duty
OF five per cent, that they cannot get along fast
enough. Their profits are not great enough TO ena-
bic them pay the aborer his increased hire, the
farmer an advance on his Pro5ucs.
But the manufacturers after en-, though they might
prove their case hard one would not be entitled TO
the first place in the sympathies of the nation. Let
Us lock TO the most numerous class; that which is
most grevously oppressed and which has, generally
but one way of making Its complaints heard efectu-
ally, which is the but slow method of the ballot
box. The farmer gets no more for any thing which
he produces than he did before the theory into
effect he pays mote on every article which he is
obliged to go to the store for every tool mple
ment which he makes of, and every thing
cessary for his use or comfort which he does not bring
directly from the SOIL If he buys ingram carpet he
must pay lob per cent protection to the manufacturer
bis more wealthy neighbor may get wilton under
duty of 81 per cent For the cloth he he must
pay 40 per cent while the wool which he raises is
rendered of little value by the foreign wool which the
manufacturer gets at duty of per cent If he
would make his wife children comfortable in the
cold and wet winter season BY garment of flannel,
he must pay duty of 100 per cent. plain arti-
Gle, while the citizen get his Of finer quality
40 per cent. Would his thrifty housewife her
carpet already extravaganty taxed, by covering
of baizc on that she must pay duty of 100 to 100
per cent? the duty being always the highest on the
quality which costs the least. She must buy linen
sheets and towels, or pay from 80 to 100, nay, as
high as 100 per cent duty on the same articles made
of cotton.
Should he feel disposed indulge his daughters in
little harmless extravaganza birthday he must
pay duty of 60 per cent silk gown, or rs per
cent colored shawl, while The lord Of the mills
purchases fire silk for his wife at 20 per cent,
embroidered collar for his daughter at 30 per cent
a Cashmere at even less duty.
+" But" exclams my lord of the spindle, " why
not clothe your children in bomespun, and encourage
the manufactures of your own country. Come 20 my
LOOMS and will supply you and take your potatoes,
your and your pork In exchange" And how
stands the farmer then For cotton handkerchief
lie pays duty of 145 per cent, for cteck 100 per
cent, for gngham 53 per cent In short he IS met
/ by the theory of the tariff of 1872 which says TO
him directly you shall have no plain cotton which is
dutable at less than 90 square yard col
ored, printed dyed goods of tic same material
valued at less than 80 cents velvets, cords, fus
| tians or moleskins at less than 80 cents.
When the farmer makes his yearly journey TO the
city, or his monthly visit TO the neighboring town or
store he looks at his memorandum TO what little
nioknacks his wife needs for the comfort Of his plain
and quiet household. Broken tumblers are TO be ne
placed. He travels from sore 10. store and finds he
can get none for less than SIX pence a shilling
piece. 'But," says he, "two years ago bought some
at 30 cents dozen, as good those you now show
me at a dollar" The st0rekeeper tells him that the
fault is not his for those sold at 80 cents he made
more profit than on these which he nov sells at
dollar. The article you got them" he adds, can
not be imported here now il would pay duty Of $50
per cent. the invoice price But" continues he,
by way of consolation you then encouraged the la
Dor of some stupid Dutchman, now you help Mr. =
treat his friends TO backs and champagne.
and he is good American, at all events an Eng
lishman who has come TO America to lIve
The farmer next wants an umbrella. three years
ago." says he, a. bought good one for dollar"
{" Try this" says the shopkeeper The farmer takes
his purchase, and riding home, be is caught in
heavy shower. lie puts up his umbrella for protection
In an hours time his clothes are covered with Dack
nky sreaks streaming through the open pores of hls
umbrella, and the sticks which were black when he
bought it. have turned into rattan again. When he
fetrns 10 the store, he complains in gentle terms
to the s.orekeeper of his bargain. The explanation
is soon given. The umbrella he bought three years
ago of Scotch gingham, which he cannot get now
for it has duty of 20 per cent The article he
last bought was the best the domestic manufacturer
could afford to make the price. and to do that
he puts in bad dye, and the umbrella maker is oblig-
ed to put in rattans with the glaze instead of whale
bone frames. ,ss
In a word, On making particular enquiry into the
nature of the protection given him. by the theory of
the tariff of 1912, the farmer finds that