Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-05-06
rnE TARlrrI coNcREss.

-
THE TARIFF IN CONGRESS.
The discussion Of the modified iariff bill in
troduced to the House by MIR. ScHgNcK, Chair
manof the Committee on Ways and Means, "a
attracting much attention llirenshout the eoun-
try. 1t is highly gratifying to perceive ihel iha
Republican members from most of tho Wcstern
States are taking bald and positive grounds
toward placing tho tariff on a revenue basis,
instead Of allowing II to be medium by which
money may bo extorted from the pockets Of the
people, in support Of q few favored monopo-
lists. By taking this advanced ground, alone,
can the Republican party save itself from de-
feat in the coming fall elections. The syren
charms of protecting Home Industry, and the
ally bugbear of British Free Trade, are now
we'll understood to mean simply the payment Of
q special bounty 10 favored interests. In such
benefits but few participate, whilst the great
mass Of the people consuming such favored ar
leles are frustrating the condition which the
patriarch Jacob declared that the posterity Of
his son Issaohar would occupy, namely, that Of
= strong ass bending under the weight o. teo
Iwrdens--a burden of taxes in support Of the
government, which no patriotic citizen will re-
fuse to bear and an oppressive tax, indirectly
levied in support Of the favored interest. This
latter tax, from its prohibitory character, Is
such as to render many articles Of commerce
almost imperative as sources OF revenue to the
government, the gains Of the monopolist, as in
the article Of pig iron alone, being in the scale
Of SIS on the quantity consumed in this nation
to 81, on the amount received by the govern
ment on the imported article. BY this vicious
system Of legislation, every article nanufae-
tured of iron has been increased in price on an
average of 55 per cent. The magnitude Of the
tax will be seen in the fact that every tool is
made Of iron, every house is in part constructed
with iron, every steam engine is built of iron,
every railroad is an iron highway.
Entering so largely as this article does into The
general use, the high tariff on it becomes OPP
pressive to the consumer, by enhancing its cost
to the extent Of the tax levied on it, whilst its
very exhorbitance alike diminishes the nporta
tiou, and the revenue arising from it.
In the articles Of apparel used By the work
ing man, the present tariff IS eqnally oppress-
i've aul unjust to him. The duty on woolms
averages SO per cept. and in some cases reaches
lsG per cent. The finer kinds Of woolens are
taxed least, " hist the eoarsss but warm an
stout goods needed by the poor, are nearly
doubled in price by the tariff Thus It proceeds
through nearly every class Of articles CON
sumed by the masses Of our poarer citizens, and
this great wreng has been accomplished under
the specious sophstry Of aiding "IIome Indus
try,! The people, however, are now beginning
TO understand this QUE sided Logic. They are
awake to the fact that it simply means dimiu-
ished supply and an enhanced price, which
sssss, and does, come out Of the packets Of coz
sumers. and thus impoverishes them to the ex-
tent Of such advanced cost.
The cry arising from the popular voice to our
National Legislators, at this time, is to correct
the evils existing, and establish just and eqsi-
table revenue laws, or give place to those who
will do so. In that cry we heartily jim and do
not regard that mIa as a friend Of the people
or nation, who by his vote shall attempt to
uphold and perpetuate the preseat iniquitous
system of taxation.
1t affords us much pleasure to pexeive that
nhe Toledo Blade has taken bold stand in favor
of a lust and equitable revenue tariff. With lis
rniaely-extended circulation it may greatly aid
IN .fhe needed reformation, and by it aid in con-
saIidating the strength, and in maintaining the
supremacy Of the Republican party. Speaking
of the discussion Of the tariff in Congress, the
Blnls, s-f the 3Jh ult., makes the following
timely aud judeious remarks, on the status Of
chat question
ssdnstead of LAYING the foundation Of cur rev.
enne systenl on broad and wise general puncl-
pies; hlv az in view the Impartial protection ut
all braaches Of American industry, the details
of tile tariff have become the game Of greedy
and seld sh monopolists. each seeking the mo-
nopoly for himself or his section, AMI under
cover Of the protective principle, enlarging The
margin Of his own profits far beyond the limits
of a literally fair aud just allowance. In other
words, instead Of wisely arranging revenue
system impartially and justly, 50 as to protect
all Industries fairly aud equally, Imposing on
SN articles ana DrodHcis iAto which labor and
skill enters sufficient tax So that oar woremen
mls not be dragged down to the pauper level
of Europe our Legislators have arranged, or are
striving 70 arrange, fer the advantage OF partfc-
ular monopolists, interests scale ot actually
p.ohibitory duties, in order to lift these Interest,"
out of reach of all competition whatever. This
Is not iegitnate protection This is simply
CLASS legislation, and in its way is just as alb
ssrrd, ,aHiust and ruinous was the class leg
islation demanded and for so many years en-
acted for the benefit of cotton growers an'
sugtr plaaters at the South