The true northerner., 1880-02-13

owners have to psy the tsx lsvisd for the bso-
eft Of the manufacturer, and the advance they
have omsds also. The lsttsr ssy they cannot
reduce their rates because OF the heavy duties
on soda s-ash and other chemicals used IN max
ing paper. The American people, who are the
greatest readers OF books and newspapers in
the world, are taxed for the benefit Of paper
makers. who have succeeded in getting foreign
paper excluded by the tariff, can make readers
and consumers pay what tribute they feel like
demanding. The government derives little or
no revenue from imported foreign paper. and
such tax on literature as IS embodied III our
tariff rates on paper and paper makers mate
rial is ntoIerable, and il should be abolished.
We hope our Kentucky Congressmen Will do al
they can to have the paper tax removed OF
greatly modified. Abolish the duty on soda
ash. The paper makers have been protected
long enough. They can stand without crutches.
REDUCE THE TAX ON PAPER AND TYPE.
From the Aurora Ill.) Herald
The newspapers ale now urging Congress TO
reduce the tariff on print and book paper, and
also on soda ash and other chemicals which are
used in the manufacture OF paper from wood
aud straw. the extra cost OF which has mate
rally aided in the recent advance OF prices OF
paper. We join in the appeal to Congress for
relief" The paper on which this is printed
costs between 40 and so per cent mere now
than the same quality cost September l, but
the publishers get no more for it, The pres
ent tarn on print paper brings no revenue to
the government, but prohibits the importation
Of paper, and no injustice would be done to re-
peal 1t altogether, aud at the same time repeal
the tax On chemicals used in the manufacture
Of paper. The duty on type ought also to be
repealed as the type-founders have combined
themselves into monopoly and advanced the
price Of type far above what it ought to be. 1t
would be an excellent thing for the press to
chronicle that our Consressmen had reduced
the tax on paper and type so that information
on every subject could be disseminated among
the people more chesply than ever. Such &C
ton onithe part OF Congress would give the
unanimous friendship Of ,he press FOR every
member who voted for tho measure.
IHE PAPEH MONOfOLn
From the Detroit Free Press.
While nearly all other industries have ezpe
rienced the reyvpg influences CT good times,
and are now in a more prosperous condition
than they have been for years, the great news
paper industry is suffering from greater op-
pre- scion than it has been subjected TO in years.
Within short time, the cost of paper has been
unreasonably Increased, so that only the most
prosperous newspapers can be conducted with
out loss-what would be justly tue profits
going into the pockets OF the paper menopo-
lists-while many newspapers will either be
published at a loss, or their proprietors Will be
compelled to increase the price-a proceeding
qaite rs repugnant to the newspapers as it is
TO the readers. The action Of the paper manu-
facturers, in extorting fifty per cent more than
former prices from their customers, is without
any real justification. There is nothing in the
additional cost OF paper making to render such
an increase at all necessary. Its only effect is
to impoverish newspapers while enrichIng a
I class Of monopolists. And bad
as the case ia at present, there are intimations
Of further advance, as soon, perhaps, as the
can figure upon the number OF
newspaper wrecks they can afford TO occasion
while applying the squeezing process to jour |
malls which they believe can stand heavier
strain. Many newspapers throughout the
nave expressed their indignation at the
treatment to which they have been subjected !
and some remedial measures ihaye been sug- /
gested Something must be done. or many OF |
the newspaper institutions in the country will
the strongest will be compelled TO pay tribute
which will try their resources But to 30 any |
thing there must be effective work in common |
on the part OF newspapers As the shortest |
means Of relief it is advisable that newspapers,
with the unapimiiy which the exigency de-
'nands, call upon Congress TO remove the duty
from print paper, aud with it the duty upon
chemicals required IN the manufacture OF pa
per. Congress responded TO the popular de-
mand for the removal OF the blood tax--the
odous duty on quinine. 1t will, without doubt,
be equally willing to relieve the people from
the onerous tax upon knowledge winch is I'M
posed by the protective tanf which places
American publishers a, the mercy OF monopo-
lists. In pure set-deiense, therefore, the I
newspapers throughout the country should
make common cause against the pape, monop-
ply, and not cease in their efforts until they
have battered down the protective tariff wall
behind which il hss intrenched itself.
A GRAVE MISTAKE