The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-11-26
who Foots the Tariff Bills

About thlrty-fiye years ago, when the
writer was 10 years of age, he made the fol-
lowing comparison: His father was me-
chanic. In the family were the father AZ d
mother and eleven children The father.
mother, an elder brother, and the writer
supported themselves and nine Younger
members of the family. The gross earn
ings of the four productive members
OF the family were about $500
Since everything was purchased for
the support of the family, about
$500 was paid out for articles, the price of
which was affected by the tariff. On some
articles the tariff was 50 per cent; on some
as low as 10 per cent. A low average would
be 20 per cent. 1t appeared to the writer
that his fathers family paid Sl00to support
the National Government; that the four
productive members of the family paid
$780, or 1875 apiece to the National Govern
ment, besides supporting themselves md
the nine non-producing members of the
family. In the same town was a State
Senator. He was worth, in real estate and
money loaned out $4,000. His amilv
consisted of the father and mother, ty
sons, who were men, and one young
daughter One son assisted his father in
his legal business, the other was a teacher.
The gross income Of the family was at least
5000 heard him say he bought about
$40 worth of articles each year. on which
there was duty. 1t appeared to the writer
that the Senator's family paid $50 to the
National government or that the four pro-
ductive members paid $3.50 and supported
themselves and one non-producing mem
Der of the family. The writer made these
comparisons; Our family, without one
dollar OF property, EXCEPT household
stuff and clothing, pay 800
national lax. Senator BIS. with $4,000,
pay 500 Each productive member of our
family supports himself and two and one
quarter helpless persons, and has no prop
erty to help in doing it, and pays $2j ma
tional tax. Each productive member of
Senator BIS family supports himself and
onc-tOurth of person, has the fourth ofthe
income of $4,000 to help him to do it, and
pays $3.50 national tax. Is such tax
alton lust and equal? Did the fact that in
our family there were nine helpless persons
render 1t our duty to pay twice the tax?
Did the fact that we had no property and
Senator b. had $4,000 make il our duty to
pay twice the tax the Senator's family
paid? Is such taxation Just and equal? /
remember another incident, A prosperous
neighlo W no was a high-tariR man, was
discussing the question with my father,
irec-trader. Father had Just purchased
lreSS SUIT lie took pencil and paper and
handed Mr., 5. the following statement:
Cost OF cloth In England INSTRUMENTATION. SIG
Importers expenses and profits ...,........ Al
Total Observation-Disclosures. SIS
NOW" said he, 81 had to pay $StariT on
that suit, ! could have got it for $50 with
no tariff. had to pay 500 for it. | can see
easily what the tariff cost me on that suit.
Now, will you set down IA like bill of bcne-
fits and show me where the tariff returns
to me Us or evenS ccnts?' Mr.. S. began
to talk of protection to home industry,
for home products and higher wages, and
increased prosperity, etc "Mr. s, said
father, 'set down what each item would be
without tariff, what it is now under tariff,
show the amount each is increased, prove
your figures to be facts, not iancies-
that thov are as undcniable as
mine Then, when you have done
that, prove that myself or any other labor.
ing man, or ordinary farmer, or mechanic
+ benefited 10 cents in year by 'protec-
ton, rs you call IL. Give me the facts and
figures, not assertions, theories and loose
defamation well" said Mr.. s., "have
NO" replied father, II have
not ! want burdens to be equal. pay SiOO
tariff and support my large family out of
my wages and the wages OF my wife and
two sons. You pay about $50 and have
good property, and your family Use all 70.
iuccrs. Is it JUST | still want to know If
do not pay 50 bounty out of my pocket TO
American manufacturers. | want 10 know
why should do IT, and what got for it2n
have never heard his queries answered.
Can you do itg,-IN Y. Times,
"a