Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-19
THE TARIFF QUESTION.

THE TARIFF QUESTION
The tariff question has, within the past few
weeks. assumed considerable prominence in
the campaign. and seems likely to figure
largely in discussion till the election. TWAS
used to great extent in the manufacturing
districts of Indiana, where the Republicans
assured the workingmen that the Democrats
we're in favor of absolute free trade. and if they
succeeded manufacturing, being deprived of
all protection, would be compelled to suspend.
thus throwing tens of thousands of mechan
ics and laboring men out of employment.
There is good reason to believe that these
assertions had their effect, as in all the man.
ufacturing towns the returns show large Re-
publican gains.
1t is true that the Democratic party has
ever been the party of free trade-that is.
opposed to revenue for protection. There
can be no such thing as absolute free trade
in this country as long as the public debt
exists and the government has to be main,
tanned. We must have revenue for the
payment of the interest on the debt and for
ether legitimate purposes, and a tariff on
imports is by far the easiest and cheapest
way of raising that revenue. II the Demo
cratic party should attain power it would be
compelled to levy imposts for macy years to
come. 1t would, however, attempt q revis.
ion of the existing laws, with the purpose of
relieving the poor Of some of the burdens
they ere now compelled to bear. It would
place upon the free list as many of the arti-
cles of necessity as possible, and compel ar
ticles of luxury to bear the greater part of
the taxes.
The Republican theory that tariff should
be levied for the purpose of protecting home
manufactures is utterly pernicious and de.
structive of true prosperity. 1t creates and
fosters privileged class of monopolists, to
whom all the rest of the people are
compelled to pay tribute. The cloth
ing poor man wears costs him
third more than its real value on account
of the tariff; the tools with which he earns
his daily bread cost him forty per cent. more,
and nearly all that be consumes is nearly
doubled in price. This increase is of no
benefit to the government. It goes directly
into the pockets of The home manufacturers
who are, by means of the tariff, enabled to
keep foreign goods out of the country and to
add to their own profits the precise amount
of the tax levied upon these goods.
1t is nonsense to say that If the tariff was
modified and reduced to revenue basis the
manufacturers would be compelled to sus
pend. To-day American goods are compel.
ing in the English markets with goods of
British manufacture prints and domestics.
cutlery, iron and other articles of COM
meroe. These American goods are sold at
rates far below what they can be purchased
for here. This is proof positive that protec-
ton is unnecessary. Else how could the
manufacturers afford to pay freight upon
their goods across the ocean, insurance, and
the profits of middle men, and yet make a
profit when selling at British prices7 Nearly
all our manufactures are self sustaining,
and would be SO still if prices were reduced
twenty per cent, and he who asserts the
contrary knows but little of what he is talk
ing.
A revision of the tariff such as Is pro-
posed by the Democrats would greatly BEN
efit the workingmen by reducing the cost of
the necessaries of life. It might reduce the
profits of manufacturers trife, but it would
stimulate the demand for goods so that in
the end they would make as much money.
An increased demand for goods would Gre
ate greater demand for labor, and thus the
working people would be again benefited.
Ii Is for the interest Of every man Obliged
to work for his daily bread to do all in his
power in favor of tariff revision.