New-York tribune., 1881-12-02
THE TARiFF C0NVENTTON.

The Tariff Convention has not, perhaps, ac-
cOmplished all that some of its promoters de-
sired But it will be found that the gathering
has exerted an important influence. Possibly
those who called it "buided wiser than they
knew" for the real influence of the COnvcn
ton tends toward wiser course than was pro
posed by some of the managers. The reported
resolutions urged a sweeping abolition of in
ternal revenue taxes, but the Convention voted,
nearly four to one, against that portion Of the
report, and the resolution respecting the inter
nal revenue was finally laid on the table. II
may be said, generally, that the Convention
was not skilfully managed AS a rule, practi-
cal business men who have strong convictions
and know all about important branches of pro-
| ductive industry, lack familiarity with the un-
| productive industry of managing conventions
| Any clique of sccond-rate politicians, who had
not dollar at stake in the uphoding Of
any branch of manufactures, would prob
ably have cOntrived much more adrOity
Their resolutions would have been terse, Wig
OrOus, and brief enough to be quoted by all
the newspapers and attcntiyely read by mill
ions Of readers. They would have cOntrived
to have ready a few strong speeches, straight
to the point and crowded with useful informa-
ton, 10y men of wide reputation, and would
have quietly pushed aside the multitude of
speakers whose honest zeal only serves TO
make d convention weary. But the Tariff Con-
vention will have an influence altogether dis
propOrtioned TO the interest of its proceedings
for those who were present as spectators.
1t is fortunate that the Convention was not
led to propose the abolition of internal reve-
10 &c =
likely for many years to be in position to
abolish this source of revenue with safety. Ii
obtained $l35, 100000 last year from the
taxes which it is proposed to abolish, and
would have had to meet deficit Of over
$50, 100000, without making any reduction
of debt, had these taxes yielded moth
ing. The taxes on whiskey aud tobacco
are wisely so arranged that they do not
prevent uzports, and the burden to the con-
sumers is insignificant, apart from the fact
that those who do not choose to consume
whiskey and tobacco are not compelled to pay
the tax. The use of these articles in other
manufactures is not, as Mr.. Kelley suppOses
such that the taxes add materially to the
cost of production or to the necessary
wages of labor. Indeed, it is difficult
to name any other mode of raising so
large a revenue which would add as little to
the cost of living or of production in this
country, and which would therefore throw less
Impedment in the way of the development of
our industries
1t is the misfortune of the protective sys-
TEN that some Of its defenders have constantly
sought to shield it by stealth and indirection.
as if they were afraid of frank avowal of
their principles and objects. The excuse often
urged for repeal of internal revenue taxes
represents it as a device of this Objectionable
character, for it is said: "Get rid of the in
Eternal revenue, and then high duties on i'm
"ports will be unavoidable" But this is a
very short-sighted policy. When the
duties on coffee and tea were abolished, it
was reasoned that the protective system would
be strengthened. But the actual effect was
loss of revenue to the Government without
corresponding gain to consumers, and loss
of strength by advocates of the protective
tariff, because it was inferred that they had
not been willing to uphold that system OH it's
merits. The repeal of internal revenue taxes