New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-19
PROTECTION AND THE REVENUE.

hAoAoSocS
PROTECTION AND THE REVENUE.
PAPER BY PROFESSOR W. g. sUMNER-REVIEW OF
TuE PAST YEARS REPoRTs-THE ONLY HOPE OF
THE COUNTRY CLAIMED TO BE IN FREE TRADE.
At n meeting of the New-YOrk Free Trade
Club at No 81 West Twenty-fourthst, last evening
Professor W. G. SUMNER Of Yale College, read paper
on Protection and the Revenue III 1871" He said that
the paper was the result OF Investigations OF reports
OF customs revenues imports and consumpons OF last
year He gave many statistics but lively style ana
telling way OF putting things relieved the address IRON
the tedlum which almost nseparablo from dscuSsohs
on political economy. The speaker was listened 10
with close attention. and his mid sarcasm ire
quenty elected applause. He spoke in part as follows:
free trade controversy presents anew all the iet
ures OF old struggles against ingrlned abuses Public
opinion can only be enlightened by great and prolonged
effort understand the mischief done By the protective
system to wealth, culture, civilization and National
greatness. Tie opposition which we have TO meet
also consists the re.teratOn OF plaltudes, spe-
al pleas, Misrepresentation OF history, both mere
aud abroad differences mixed UP with facts facts mis-
aporehended and vigorous dennciations OF want Of
patriotism We cannot join issue on any proposition
upon which discussion he carried on by esabshed
methods to a clear result Evcn those Of our ADVERSE
ries who claim to stand generally on the PLATFORM
Of right, treason and common sense and to be as
Interested are not ashamed to treat TINS
tempt Now, when we consider that very large BODY
OF persons respectable i'm every point OF view, claim
that this question involves the most tmpOrtan conse-
qucncc3 the welfare 81 whole people, itfooWs
that those tho treat it with neglect or contempt simply
bring in question their coed sense and their own
good faith.
Ny proposition Is that protection lessons the wealth OF
the country Upon that this free trade controversy
turns and It the issue ought to be made II our an
tagonists would he brought to a discussion which
should be fruitful. The question OF free trade
versus protection is only a question Of method
OF employing means as to make
them most efficient When therefore, L say that
protection lessons wealth, 7 mean that it prevents
wealth from being produced up TO the point it might
have reached with the at disposal No sooner
is this proposition set up, than our aoVeTsa-
rus is OF into vague destinations about Ma
ional Independence, morals, culture, patriotism
etc. This, however. I understand it, is an
economic discussion. MI the questions Of
culture and patriotism turn upon the be made Of
wca! after we have obtained it. The only factors In
ihc production OF wealth labor capital ana land
CoGunration and association exist m the nature OF
about a.oralIou want TO take society e. pieces for
sake OF putg together again c'ordinc T. their own
notion. We should pat faith IN cooperation unless II
ctn he that il has direct influence on the sources
wealth When treated 10 discussions ON eul-
tire and morals, may know that this Is mere eva
sion OF the question. Btu'Hc'hcc 3bG business are
The manufacturer u protected the expense OF aGri
culture. The farmer is told that the whole ,ab0ring
population would into agriculture ana compete with
him If there were not protection. AMI he is tod 10 con-
tribute 10 fund to make mp the losses Of manufacturing
10 dive q cent to bgv OH C0nprution because
he cannot huy It of How can any ono bry of compet
tion when competition Is free! He VIII nave 10 "uy on
forever No one would dream Of Duyiug of competition
save from monopoly where he could recover his los,
DIS raising his price N"tIlnS IN Tue ""it u less M
uupoy flau agriculture. some people nave bugbear
hlt English manufacturers would sacrifice capital
to rr'l'. American mahVIf'lufHr- - us suppose lhtl
succeeded after amending several millions. They would
thin have % restore prices and place them above tie Old
rates. 30 max" good their losses lhtn tHr American
m1uutcur,r could ct, REGAIN his 90 trade HERE'S
petition. We cannot, II we g" 70 meet u, 9hu aDaRuon
what won pay better here IT We cannot CONT. o., II
proves simply that we do not want To compete because
speaker mere gave great detail the duties in-
food sugar Is best article Of customs revenue. ne
sud. our consumption Of i j. thrtH -ihre pounds
o ~lO9OO 900 produced 10y the class of oud and drink
great deal has been saiI about the poor mans tea and
tr N.u, OF the su.rr consume per cana Is greater
tau On, value Of the tea and coffee tog tier We nave
.ctd mat with little protection for little while.
suzar would be raised ~ IA north "a the Ohio.
Salts an article OF uIme ncCysslty IL consideration
~ -" toor m . noon , b, ~ 10 Win tlc matter is
edvut the fact tlIt tax OF % per cent laid on
nc lax o,It fo he abolished or Ci,e rcaIced to a rcv,
nue. rate and combined with an exc So.
Fan income tax on AL incomes above those which taxes
ON commodities t,gcA i'm t.cr ayerag. Is necessary 10
any equitable system Of taxation The only dscrmlna
on when seems WISE thar between classes OF incomes
such revenues from investments AMI professional IN
Tie Wood taufT now before Congress seems to aim to
reduce plotct lion hy IryAing trNcuue duties ON some
raw minerals winch are ma" free aud are not produced
country TA- step cannot Doe regarded rs wise or
rs tending Ia IN" Fight way II ls impossible SO 10 adj
Ul,, these taxes not 10 run the risk Of
actual harm 10 existing Industries, or of putting
Item al g. disadvantage IN loTcigu competition The
on raw materials viii some cay nave To be re-
moved Hud any wIicu arc now put ON VIII only cause
more .t,uhy when thai time comes.
To take down complicated tarh such as we now
have j, very difficult Every "A NJ leans on every
hing else. IL Is Ike game OF JicksirlWH
out q shock e. ogAer. Il viii have tc be taken
down ar 10 will al tumDc into cnaOs at last Ii would
no doubt lie urs long tO destroy n altogether,
but il won Il produce confusion or time. The
country ought Co iorm determination to ADAM
don tao system. ana work toward that end as
RAPIDLY as possible. since the have plunged
INTO everything at once. We wanted 10 pay of tue
debit protect home industry, To rant great subsidies
beauty all our cites 81 once Inc consequence mas
been foolish and cNtrayagant taxation both National
aud local, and It l. wonder thar come TO
staud,uu. Tue country Is like Il young ana vigorous
mau whom Eard task Ia set. He l. willing and
clog on his leg and 10 bandage his eyes I'd give him
rusty aud rcKcty tool II we hal reformed the cur
rcucy that uuld have been worth urt but 10 crush
the energies of the Nation by harsh taxation In order To
In proportion to the power OF the country
10 bear il every year that 90 forward, IS uuwisc To
do this without Withdrawing the paper money, and to
undertake, the same time, To Wa'c capital IN prOec
tOu foolish that 10 will DO quoted Tor century
rs specimen OF economic iOHy. ,,,-...,.. ,.,
A few remarks were also made by President Anderson
OF Rochester University.
THE TARE on SUGAR
The Delinquent Department Of the Custom