Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-07-08
Garfield and the Tariff.
He Has Been a Strong Protec-
ZIONIST,
Having Voted Consistently on Eve.
ry Tariff Measure,

Having Voted Consistently on Eve
ry Tariff Measure,
And is Endorsed by q High Au
thoriiy.
The following is from the Bulletin o.
the American Iron and Steel Association
of June 16:
Gen. Garfeld's tariff record having
been made subject of discussion since
his nomination for the Presidency, it i:
both just and proper that we should
state that the Protectionists of the
country who have kept watch over tar
iff legislation during the past twenty
years, and who have assisted to shape
and maintain the present tariff, are per-
fectly satisfied with his tariff votes and
speeches. They and all other Protec-
tionists have indeed abundant reason to
be thankful to him for valuable assist,
ance rendered to the cause of Home
Industry when it was in serious peril
from Free Trade attacks. His votes
and speeches have been uniformly and
consistently in favor of the Protective
policy. His first hriff speech in Con-
greSs was made in 1866. In this speech
he carefully defined his position on the
question of Protection as follows:
81 hold that properly adjusted COM
petition between home and foreign pro-
ducts is the best gauge by which to reg
ulate international trade. Duties should
be so high that our manufacturers can
fairly compete with the foreign product,
but not SO high as to enable them to
drive out the foreign article, enjoy a
monopoly of the trade, and regulate the
price as they please. That is my doc
trine of Protection. If Congress pur-
sues this line of policy steadily we shall,
year by year, approach more nearly to
the basis of Free Trade, because we
shall be more nearly able to compete
with other nations on equal terms. L
am for Protection that leads to ultimate
Free Trade. l am for that Free Trade
which can only be achieved through a
a reasonable Protection"
There was nothing in this declaration
to which Protectionists could fairly OBJ
ject. We are exporting many products
of American factories and workshops to-
day because Protection has made their
production and expectation possible.
Great Britain was able to establish and
maintain Free Trade only after centu-
ries of the most vigorous Protection of
her industries. This country Is simply
copying her wise example, and In the
extract we have quoted Gen. Garfield
declares his approval of it.
In his next tariff speech, delivered in
1870, upon Gen. Schenck's tariff bill,
which provoked long and bitter con-
troversy, Gen. Garfield advised the Pro-
tectionists of the House to assent to Il
moderate reduction of the war duties
which were then in force, for the reason
that they were higher than was then ne
cessary for the protection of our indus
tries, ond being so, they gave occasion
for unfriendly criticism of the Protec-
tive policy from which it should be re-
lieved. He said:
after studying the whole subject as
as l am able, 1 am firmly of
the opinion that the wisest thing that
the Protectionists in this House can do
is to unite in moderate reduction of
duties on imported articles. He is not
a faithful Representative who merely
votes for the highest rate proposed in
order to show on the record that he vo-
ted for the highest figure, and, there
fore, is a sound Protectionist. He is the
wiSest man who sees the tides and cur
rents of public opinion, and uses his best
efforts to protect the industry of the
people against sndden cOllapSes and
sudden changes. Now, if l do not mis-
the signs of the times, I'M
less we do this ourselves, prudently and
wisely, we shall before long be compell-
ed to submit to violent reduction,
made rudely and without discrimina-
ton, which will shock if not shatter all
our protected industries.
"The great want of industry is sta
BILE policy; and it is a significant comf
ment OIL the character of our legislation
that Congress has become a terror to the
business men of the country. This very
day the great industries of the nation1
are standing still, half paralyzed at the
which hangs over our pro-
here. A distinguished citizen
Of my own district has lately writtenl
me this significant sentence: IF the
laws of God and natnre were as yascilla-
ting and uncertain as the laws of Con-
Congress in regard to the business of its
people, the universe would soon fall in-I
to chaos
Examining thus the possibilities of
the situation, l believe that the true
e, e,..a I, of ffl
pursue is to reduce the rates on imports
whenever we can justly and safely do
so; and, accepting neither of the ex-
treme doctrines urged on this floor, en-
deavor to establish stable policy that
will commend itself to all thoughtful
people"
Gen. Schenck's bill passed the House
June 8, 1870, Gen. Garfield voting for it'll
in company with all the Protectionists
as Senators Howe, Scott, Morrill, of Yer
mont, Sherman and Wilson voting for
it. The bill reduced the duties Oh a
long list of articles-pig iron, for in
stance, from 50 to 81, but it was a tri-
umph of the Protective policy and dis
astrOus defeat of the Free Traders and
Revenue ReformerS who had favored
lower duties. 1t embodied provisions
that are still retained in the existing
tariff, with which all Protectionists are
entirely satisfied.
In 1872, two years after the passage
Of Gen. Schenck's bill, bill to REDUCED
duties on imports and to reduce internal
taxes was reported to the House Of
by Mr.. Dawes, the
Chairman of the Ways and Means Com
nittee, and, after discussion, it passed
by a large majority, such prominent
Protectionists as Dawes, Frye. Foster,
Frank w. Palmer, Ellis H. Roberts, VIM.
A. Wheeler and George F. Hoar voting
or it. Judge Kelley and sixty other
voted against it. 1t be-
,ame law, passing the Senate by
vote, such leading PrOtec-
ionists as Ferry, Howe, the two Nor
ills, Morton, Sherman and Wilson sup
PORTING it. Protectionists, as will be
cen, were not united upon the merits