The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1853-01-08
The Tauh of 1916.

The Tauif of 1916.
We all remember with what forebodings Of ru'
in the whig. looked upon the tariff act Of 1876
when il was first introduced into congress. I've
~ vhg newspaper in the country took night
aud in bold capitals heralied abroad the d.sas'
,rous cou,soneuces which would follow in the
wa,o of ito enactment All our manufactures
were to be closed out irouworks stopped, our
ship, ware to 20, in our Jocks AMI harbor', 40
worst Of all. the National Treasury was to be
bankruptel Truly, tho prospect to them was
dark one Sicrsiary Walker was denounced
az an ont us.ajt upon the subject Of free trade
and his estimates in reference to the revenues,
which would te derived from thenew tariff, we're
,i..iculed AS trash benea.h the dignity Of his st..
ton Mr. Vnton, then the leader OF the 9rposI-
ton to the reduction OF the tariff, demonstrated
beyond doubt in the mind of every wing in the
country, that the new tariff act would not yield
$4,000 600, and iliat the government would
have to make loan Of at least 500 600 to
dehay her expenses The Mexican war said
he, had just been declared. Millions were to be
expended for its 'unhoy prosecution The 'rea
sury was empty then. The high tariff Of IL had
hut barely supplied the necessary means for cary
ing on the government, aud yet proposition was
brough, before congress to reduce the 1d.Ns. j.
this measure is carried through, | trembe Tor the
consequence. Rain pour manafaciura! Interests,
to our Commerce, and above all to our national
credit must AMI piH come Every Wing men,
Der in congress who spoke during the discussion
Of the BILL III substance reiterated the predictions
of Mr. .Vlnton. Bat ths democrats had ma
jority in both houses, and the tariff OF 1872 was
.upplsn,el BY the tariff oil Is 49, which Is still i"
force This step, however did not hush the fears
cfthe wings. Aud, although under IL. operation
the administration carried on he war with Mex
leo at very heavy expense, betrayed the ordin-
AIRY expenditures Ct the government and al its
close in 40, ef the credit Of The government at a
premium in every market in the world, yet Sec
Rotary Meredith, ii Ii; report in 1919 with for
nal assurance DECLARED dat the revenues under
til, tariff would not equal the expenditures OF
the government, and that there would be, st the
end Of the fiscal yiar of S5l deic; Of $40 00o.
coo in the treasury, AID that deficit would in.
crease annually until new revenue system WAS
adopted. After Mr. Meredith wa. removed from
office, and Mr Corv,n Put IN his place, he. ~
took up toe alarm cry and in each Of his reports
la. advocated Al increase Of duties.
Now, then, let Us see what ha, been The resul,
Of this rianas tariff, Instead VI Mr. Vin:ons PIE.
dcton becoming true that i; would not Yield
slS,e0O0O0, it has nearly yielded 100000, coo,
and instead Of being vofS!ly in debt, according to
Mr. Meredith. estimates, there is now surplus
If $4,000, goo in The treasury. Thus admirably
,xposin, tie sl,UtsighteIuess Of Wig politicians,
and in most triumphant manner sustaining tie
unprecedented correctness OF OF Secretary Wal.
ker's estimates, who had set down, in his last al.
nual report, tie revenues for 1859 a; 500 0O0O)o.
And our manufacturer. they suffered
Have our ships idly ro;.ed ia our hafbors and
dOeksi And how about our national credit
DOes the fact that the I 5, five per cent. bond,
ara selling in New York at premium Of 20 per
csat Indicate the ruin Of our eoun,ry's credit -
Let those wings who were loalest in their de-
nunciations Of the democratic tariff Of 1876, and
those who siumpel the land during tie recent
presidential campaign in favor Of hisA tsyiI,
hn.wer.
Mr.. Books, Of New York, is tie frs. promi
nent whiS to iurnish sn answer. Scarcely had
congress organized before he introduced resylu
ton iu.1 thc house to refer tho subject Of tie IA.
III to special committee, who should repar.
such amendments as would cheek the vast accu.
mutation Of surplus revenue; and in beautiful
contrast with his ilustrous predecessors, he nov
enlarge' upon the rginous consequences that " IN
result from til, prolific yield Of the present tariff
Ne even went so far as to advocate its reduction.
regardless Of lie interests Of the darling pets
Of bis party, the Gotten Lords ofNew England
and greatly 10 the horror aud disgns. OF the y 7.
Tribune, Albany Evening Journal and host OF
other wing journals that still adhere to the high
protection policy.
The debates in congress upon the disposition
OF the surplus revenue, this winter are certainly
queer commentary upon the wing speeches up.
on the tariT bill in 1915, and We would recon-
mend their careful perusal to every vhig So ..t
has not yet recovered from the CONSERVATION M.
which lie wn thrown when that bin passel ~,
We think in them be will iui sure femtdr