Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-12
The Proposed Tariff Reform.

Of the well known uniairness OF
our laws on this subject, and the
consequent necessity for laws more
fair and just, the opening up of
this subject has been generally ex-
pocted for some time past. Those
who favor u free, fair and full trade
have been anxiously watching the
ways and means committee Of the
House for Il move in this direction.
But, with the exception Of the
bungling attempt made by Fer
nado Wood two years ago, this
committee have taken no action in
the matter. But now il is under
stood that Senator Eaton Of Con-
nccticut, will introduce into the
Senate at the earliest moment pos
gible u resolution for u high joint
commission TO investigate the mat
ter and report nj some future time.
Whether this attempt of Senator
Eaton will be successful or not, it
seems TO be the right manner Of
procedure in any revision Of the
laws on this subject. All lcgisla-
ton in this direction should be
careful and well advised. Our
present rate of duties on imported
articles cannot be radically and
suddenly changed without disturb
ing the business of the country
very materially. Some Of our in
dustrics which have grown rank
and strong in the hot-bcd Of pro-
lection would hardly live If left to
stand alone without the artificial
support which has heretofore been
given them by the government.
And although other industries
were stuntod and restrained that
these might grow and wax strong,
we do not think it would be well
to take away from them Mt once oil
of the protection which does not
legimatcly belong to them because
it would produce revolution in
general business that would be det-
rimcntal to other interests as well
as TO those now protected. a grad
ual, but complete reduction SO far
as protection goes, of duties on inn
ported articles is TO be greatly de.
sired but u sudden reduction,
although not complete, is to be mp
pretended. And this view is gem
pral with the main body Of free
traders Of to-day So that there is
no good reason why business
should be materially disturbed by
the agitation of this subject; and it
will not be unless the moderate
and just demands of those who
desire u reform in this matter are
mngnided by the opposition into
something terrible, But undoubt-
cdly protection papers and speakers
will use their utmost endcavors
to accomplish this very thing,
Already they are at work portray
ing the effects which the least
lowering of the tariff will have
upon the country.
Last week the "Chicago CONNER
cial Advertiser" which purports to
be devoted to the financial, COM
morcial, railway, and general inter
csts of the vest and is published
ut the nominal subscription price
Of SO per annum, but which is
largely distributed gratuitously
among western readers rs sort of
missionary paper in the cause OF
protection, contained long article
on "The Coming Crusade Against
our Tariff" Starting out with the
assumption that general assault
against the doctrine of protection
is coming, IL urged protcctionists
not TO wait to be attacked, but to
commence n vigorous attack of free
traders, and urged a general organ
iaation of the friends of the Amer
lean system of protection, 1t is
this organization of special inter
csts into one great combination
which has been SO cilectual here
toforc in defeating the efforts Of
those who only labored to adjust n
tariff which would be beneficial to