Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-08-26
(Frow the Union.)
MI. Clay ON The Thrift.

II is a part Of the burden of wing com
plant against the administration for propo
sing any modification of the tariff Of lS42
Mr.. Clay, if he had been elected, woult
have let the existing tariff stand as il is
This is as much as TO say that in the Judge
ment of the wings Mr.. Clay has changed
his opinions so often on the tariff, that he
would change them again if elected Pre-
sident. There can be no mistake abou
this, we think. We presume no whg
questions that the tariff of 1912 is high
tariff. Yet in lS43, Mr.. Clay in his lei.
ter to Merriwealher, of Georgia, declared
emphaticaIy, 81 nercr pas in .fdvor q
vhdt Iregdrded as high tariff"
As if to make assurance doubly sure on
the subject, Mr.. Clay adds, in the same
letter:
II did not vote for the tariff of 1928,
for which Mr.. Van Buren,, COL Benton,
Col. Johnson, Mr.. Wright and others Of
our opponents did vote, and 10 is remark
able, that from that period, my e rertions in
Congress hare been directed to the reduc-
ton and modification Of tariffs"
Now, it he was opposed TO the tariff Of
1923, and was "never in favor of high
tariff" on what grounds could he sustain
the existing tariff, which is higher than
that of 1928, or than any other tariff which
we have had2 Especially, how could he
sustain the existing law, when ever since
1928 he has constantly exerted himself
in Congress "for the reduction and modif-
cation OF tariffs"
But perhaps it is thought Mr.. Clay
would permit the tariff of 1912 to stand
because it embodies the principles of pro,
lection. Here is his declaration on the
subject, made in the Senate of the Uni.
ted States on the Dist January, 1872
some seUea alonths only before the tariff
of 1872 was passed.
"Carry out, then, the spirit of the com
promise act look 10 REVENUE ALONE
for the support of government. Do not
raise the question of protection, which |
had hoped had been put to rest. THERE
Is NO NECESSITY OF PROTEC.
TlON FOR PROTECTION"
But it may be thought that since the
tariff of 1912 rejects the principle of ad
yalorem duties, or at least prefers specific
duties with certain minimum variations,
Mr.. Clay might on that account permit
that tariff TO stand. To those who hold
such an opinion, the following passage
from the speech of Mr.. Clay in the Sen.
ate on the 4th of March, 1912, may prove
instructive:
"What are the other principles of the
act. First, there is the principle tina, a
fixed ad yalorem duty shall preuaH and be
in force al all times; for one, am pilling
TO abide by that principle. There are
certain vague notions af1oat as to the
utility and necessity of specific duties and
determinations, which am persuaded arise
from want of right understanding of the
subject. We have had the ad vaIorem
principle practically in force ever since
the compromise act was passed, and there
has been no difficulty in administering
the duties of the treasury on that princl
ple."
The same doctrine is emphatically sum-
med up in one OF the resolutions submitted
by Mr.. Clay TO the Senate on the 25th of
February, 1912. The resolution is as fol-
lows:
"Resolred, That in the adjustment of
tariff 10 raise an amount of twenty.sx
millions of revenue, The principles of the
compromise net should be generally ad.
hered to, and that especially a maximum
rate of ad valorem duties should be estab.
IIshed, from which there ought to be as
little departure as possible"
This is plain enough; it is needless to
pursue the subject.
---~---~~-~--~-~--~--
No Such DANGER AFTER ALL!-We
vouch Tor The wing principles of the au-
thor OF the following extract, and also for
its authenticity. Union.
From Wing Merchant of New York TO a
Member OF Congress.
New YORK, July 81.
"Mr. McKay's bull is far better than to
have the question lett open, subject to con.
tinual agitation. shall therefore be glad
to hear that this bill has passed. am
ashamed of the cry that is being made
about the country's being ruined if this bill
passes. 1t does not echo the sentiment of
The well informed of the wing party, and
Us made only by those who are now reap
ing golden harvest and wish TO prevent
home competition as well as foreign-be.
cause they believe that as long as the
tariff Of 1912 stands, there is an uncertain
ty about the matter which prevents CAPT.
talists from investing in manufactures; for
as long rs the tariff is where it is now, we
are likely 10 have change and we do
not know where the change will leave US.
IN The hill nnsrnc r,nnnnfnrinrnrr mill l..