The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-04-13

The Chicago Tribune has been very earn
est and active laborer before congress and the
people, In an effort TO educate the public
mind upon simple question of finance. Con-
gress, in the profundity of its wisdom, i'm
posed a duty imported printing paper
which amounted to prohibition of the arti-
Gle. The American manufacturer immedi.
ately advanced his prices to point just short
OF that at which the foreign article could be
purchased. Under this legislation, the price
OF printing paper advanced from nine cents
in 1862, to twenty five and twenty seven
cents in 1864. The depreciation in currency,
and the corresponding increase in the cost
OF the materials, of course had their effect in
this increase of price. Foreign paper could
be purchared abroad at nine cents payable in
gold this, if there was no duty, would per-
NIT that paper to be delivered in New York
at prices just so much above nine cents as the
price of gold would justify. But congress.
for fear somebody would import any paper.
provided tariff duty of twenty per cent !;
which duty, being also payable in gold, rem
dered it impossible to import any paper, and
TINS left the home manufacturers at liberty to
demand whatever price they choose.-a lib
erty of which they availed themselves most
industriously. There has never been a time
when printing paper, such as is now used by
the newspapers of the country, could not
cents pound All that has been collected
beyond that sum has been n bounty voted to
the manufacturers by congress. The plea
that 1t was necessary tor revenue purposes is
absurd because the duty amounting TO a pro-
hibition, no paper was imported and conse-
quently not a cent of revenue was collected.
The course of the Chicago Tribune on this
paper question surprised we'll Us gratifed
us. Outside of some very incoherent ideas
upon the negro question, that paper is not
distinguished for any remarkable depth of
knowledge or thought. Questions of finance
and of national economy have apparently no
attractions for. that paper,-certainly are
| rarely discussed, with any judgement, in it's
columns. When we saw how clearly il pre-
sented the whole matter of taxation In the
discussion of the paper question, we were
gratifed as we'll as surprised. Readers of
that paper who have watched its course In
demanding reduction, or an entire removal,
of the duty on paper, will doubtless be as
surprised as we were yesterday, on reading,
10 an article upon the probable state of the
country after the war, the following remark
able suggestion of its editors
"In briei the effects of a speedy peace must be
TO inaugurate aperiod OF great prosperity in all
kinds of business. Our manufacturers protected
by the tariffs necessarily pay our revenues, can
not but flourish Our farmers will find dearer
mdAhehs ia winch 10 sell, anu cheaper to buy,
manufacturing of commercial and merchanici Al in
dustry are brought nearer to them.''
This is complete back down from the ma.
tlonal positions assumed by the publishers, on
the paper question. When the war is over
the American people will find on the statute
books u tariff which virtually prohibits the
importation of any article, the like of which
Is manufactured in this country. Ninety.
nine persons out of every hundred in the land
are compelled to use those acticles of manu-.
iacture which are extensively made in the
Ualted States. The luxuries or superfuities
which are not made in the United States. are
imported for the favored few, to whom the
cost Is matter of indifference But the con-
sinners OF cotton and wooden fabrics of ordin.
airy qualities, will find that, owing to the an.
ormous duties imposed by our tariff laws the
only market open to them is that market
where the manufacturers have monopoly. and
chartered right to prey upon the wants of
the people to the utmost verge of endurance
These enormous duties exclude competition
and by excluding competition prohibit revep
ne. They shut out to the oustpmers.the whole
world, and force them to purchase from New
England, whose manufactures enjoy Q direct