The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-11-25
TARIFF FOR REVENUE.

The Houston County Argus, although /
not mentioning THE PILoT, We feel salts
fed refers TO it as being inconsistent ID
pronouncing for free trade and limiting |
the signifcance g that term to tarlh
for revenue only. We admit that tarin
for revenue incidentally protects. 80
does the cost of transportation protect. /
If means for raising revenue for gov
ernmental purposes could be devised. We
would be in favor of free trade pure and
absolute. But direct taxation is impos-
sible, and the proceeds of internal rev.
enue are not adequate to the demands OF
the government. The imposition OF a
tax on domestic manufactured articles
which now contribute nothing TO the
government would be unpopular because
Of its directness. People do not find
f. lIt With the laws which increase the
price OF manufactured cotton, WOODEN, or
iron goods fully 100 per cent, the e1-
tortionate increase in the value going
into the pockets of manufacturers In
stead of into the public exchequer, be-
cause there is nothing visible on the
goods which indicates that the purchaser
is paying subsidy to the manufacturer.
The stamps on tobacco, matches and pat
ent medicines attract attention and pro-
woke dissatisfaction, albeit, II the former
case, the tax is much heavier and goes to
increase the profit of some individual,
while in the latter it is simply means
of providing for the defrsyal of neces-
sary expenses. Prejudice aud the "ma-
jesty of custom" must be deferred to
unless they are outrageous. We advo-
cate tariff for revenue only" knowing
that it has elements of injustice III it to
the people at large, and because we also
know that it and only it can do away
with the grand system of extortion that
is at present in force. Under system
of tariff for revenue only, the purchaser
of iron, cotton or wooden goods would
not be compelled to pay twice the actual
value of these necessaries, as they do at
present. With tariff for revenue only
we would not be compelled to witness
the spectacle of American manufacturers
shipping their goods to England and
actually successfully competing with the
manufacturers of that country, selling
their goods there with the added cost of
transportation, at less figure tnan they
do in this country. American cutlery
and coal are sold in England to-day
cheaper than they are sold IN the United
States. We would not see certain in
dustries banding together to fix the price
of the articles in which they deal, in de-
tiance of the great Natural Law of Sup
ply and Demand. We would not see the
proprietors of iron mills and paper mills
paying, out of the outrageous profits
which the laws enable them to make, a
sum to one or more of their number to
quit for a season the business of manu-
facturiug so that the supply might be
lessened and prices advanced. Absolute
free trade would also secure these things,
bnt eau We secure free trade? Free
trade would limit the manufacturer and
the producer to legitimate profits. Sup
ply and demand would then fix prices
without restriction. or the Intervention
of laws. But If we cannot secure goods
at the actual cost plus a living profit had
We not better pay ten per cent. more
than what is just, than pay what we now
are paying, from IS to 102 per cent.
more than cost and reasonable profit?