Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-12-19

enue limit. but it would mitigate, as far as
practicable, that discrimination against the
poor which results from every tariff. by
compelling them TO pay larger amount
of the taxes than if assessed and collected
on all property in proportion to its value.
In accordance with these principles. it is
believed that the largest practicable portion
OF the aggregate revenue should be raised
by maximum revenue duties upon luxu-
ries, whether grown, produced. or manu-
featured, at home or abroad.
An appeal has been made 10 the poor by
friends of protection, on the ground that it
augmenis the wages CT labor. In reply,
tits commended that the wages of labor have
not augmented since the tariff of 1912,
and that IN some cases they have dimin-
ished.
Where the number of manufactures is
not great, the power of the system to reg
ulate the wages Of labor is inconsiderable;
but as the profit Of capital invested in man.
ulactures is augmented by the protective
tariff there is corresponding increase of
power, until the control Of such capital
over the wages of labor becomes irres-
istble. In view of the conflicts that re-
suit from the exercise of this power, the
government, by protective duties arrays
itself on the side of the manufacturing sys-
tenn, and, by thus augmenting lis wealth
and power, soon terminates in its favor the
struggle between man and money--between
capital and labor. Vixen the tariff Of 1912
was enacted, the maximum duty was 20
per cent. By that act, the average of du-
ties on the protected articles was more than
doubled. But the wages of labor did not
increase in corresponding ratio, or in any
ratio whatever. On the contrary, whilst
wages in some cases have diminished, the
prices of many articles used by the work
ing classes have greatly appreciated.
A protective tariff is u question regard
ing the enhancement of the profits of capt.
tai. That is its object, and not to aug.
ment the wages Of labor which would re.
duce those profits.
The present tariff, says the Secretary
is unjust and unequal, as we'll in its details
as in the principles upon which it is foun-
ded. On some articles, the duties are en-
,irely prohibitory, and on others there is
partial prohibition. 1t discriminates il
; favor of manufactures and against agricul
ture. by imposing many higher duties up
on the manufactured fabric than upon the
t agricultural product out of which it is made
1t discriminates in favor of the manufac
turer, and against the mechanic, by man,
higher duties upon the manufacture, thar
, upon the article made out of it by the me
, chanic. 1t discriminales in favor of thu
manufacturer, and against the merchant
by injurious restrictions upon trade ant
, commerce; and against the ship building
and navigating interest, by heavy duties OF
? almost every article used in building O
: navigating vessels. 1t discrminates in ia
vor of manufactures, and against exports
which are as truly the product Of Ameri
, can industry as manufactures. Ii discrim
2 mates in favor Of the rich, and against tn
e poor by high duties upon nearly all tn
necessaries of life, and by mininums an;
] specific duties, rendering the tax upon tn
real value much higher on the cheape
: than upon the finer article.
: Minimums are fictitious value, assum
= ed by law, instead Of the real value; an
d the operation of all minimuns may be il
It Illustrated by a single example. Thus: b,
e The tariff of 1912, duty of aoper cent. a
It valorem is levied on all manufactures {
e cotton; but the law further provides thu
: cotton goods ''not dyed, colored, printed
: or stained, not exceeding in value twent
n cents per square yard" shall be valued F;
l. twenty cents per square yard. If ther
b the real value Of the cheapest cotton good
y is but four cents square yard, it is plat
ed by the law at the false value of twent
IS cents per square yard, and the duty levie
e on the fctious withdrawing il Ave time
!, higher on the cheap article consumed b
e the poor, than npon the fine article pu
v chased by the more wealthy. 1t is sliew
Of from actual importation, that an averae
ID discrimination is now made against.he poo
g on cotton goods. Of 81 per cent. beyor
n what the tax would be if assessed on II
y req! value, The specific duty operates
lie like manner against the poor, as shewn /
the article of salt, the discrimination beir
er 81 per cent. against the cheap, and in
as vor of the finer. article; and this, to gres
If err or less extent, is the effect of all spec
* ic duties. If any discrimination should
y made, if should be the reverse of the sp
Id cifc duty, and of the minimum principl
by establishing maximum standard. abo,
lie which value the duty on the finer articl
o. should be higher, and below which the