North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-06-16
FARNrRsBURG, June I4th, ls6
Revenue Reform.

Erening Post that the mass Of the party
in that State, without being free traders,
are in favor of the revenue reform which
Mr.. Wells in his various reports has shown
to lie desirable and feasible.
"The people in this part of Ohio are
Wells men. That is the short of it. We
see that tie protectionist system is all
wrong and irjur Gus: we see it more
clearly every day. And we see that MIR.
Wells, the Revenue Commissioner, is ri ght
He does not propose to abolish duties on
imports but he does propose to increase
the free list, as l understand him. to
lower many exorbitant duties and to lay
tariff that kas revenue and not protection
for its main object. And we believe in
that; and as the short way of expressing
ourselves, we say ION a piece with Wells"
And the Ecoiing Post, free trader
though it be, hereupon remarks:
I've suspect that this is true in other
States besides Ohio. Absolute free trade,
however desirable, is not as we have often
said. now practicable but it is practica,
BILE, and necessary. to make such thor
ouyh reform of the present tariff laws as
will, without much diminishing the
revenue, relieve industry from the hard
ships undsr VIII Oh it languisLes, by
making it's raw materials iree.'
The Boston L ague derived much Of its
strength from frank acknowled gment of
this fact, but other free traders, in their
desire to be logically consistent, either
disregard it or vainly imagine that by
mere argument they may impair its force.
Now, it is well to be consistent. But
Il, Al Ia,,
to an abstract principle leads advocates of
reform to overlook the circumstances
which render the application of the free
trade principle, as such, practically i'm
possible.
The monopolists understand the position
perfectly. They are above all things anx-
ious that any discussion relating to the
tariff should be narrowed down to the
single point, protection of free trade
With the issue thus defined they know
that the habits and condition of the coun>
try confer upon them great advantages.
The industrial interests that are more or
less benefited by protection are sufficiently
ramihed to secure a certain organized re-
sstance among the people to any direct
proposition in favor Of free trade. The
financial necessities -of the Government
are another and not less potent element of
opposition. Nothing is easier. then, than
r. the monopo.ists to conceal the profits
and purposes, under a pretended regard
for the Treasury and its credit, as well as
for industry and its prosperity. The ultra
free trader helps their game when he in
sists upon making war on special legisla>
ton from the standpoint of his cherished
tLoo,v trb.,y oov,ol;,noA< hin, IF onurSo
as fine, straightforward fellow, Just as
the Tribune, the other day, compliment ed
Mr. llodgskin, because the issue he Cypress
es upon the public is that from which the
supporters Of the present tariff system
have least to dread.
The tariff is vulnerable not because it is
protectionist as distinguished from free
trade, but because under the pretense Of
protecting, it Expresses industry by the
imposition of heavy duties on raw rateri-
ais, and builds up few rich and power
full interests at the expense of the Treas
ury as well as of the public. Mr.. Wells
has demonstrated the costliness of mon
opoiy to the people. and its very nature
| makes it odious. He has shown that a
reform is practicable which, by simplifying
the tariff. shall reduce the cost of collec-
ton and at the same time increase its pro-
ductiyeness. The changes he suggests
are changes that would benefit industry
by tightening its burdens, and promote the
fiscal advantages which must precede any
great relief to the taxpayer. The coun-
try understands this to be the aim and
scope Of revenue reform; and the enemies
of monopoly will err grievously it they
attempt to carry on the contest Oh any
| other platform.-N y. Times.