The daily gazette., 1882-03-30
TnERn is certain to arise 4 dificuls

THERE lS certain 70 arise difhculty
in the Republican party over the
question Of the tariff. The intelligent
men who are engaged in agricultural
pursuits in all the various States OF
the Union will not much longer con-
tinue'to pay duties on all they wear
and nearly all they eat merely to put
money into the pockets of q few rich
manufacturers. The signs that be-
token this difference arises in the out.
spoken and decided language Of many
newspapers that have heretofore stood
up for the protective policy, and now
join in tae demand for more equal
and just arrangement OF duties.
From one of these newspapers we
copy the following very sensible and
appropriate remarks:
"The Ways and Means Committee
seem to be wholly ighorant of the fact
that there is very large sum annually
paid into the Treasury for foreign Gus
toms dues which represent more of a
direct tax upon the people than does
the tax on National banks. There
are several articles bearing duty and
heavy duty which bear it to the hard.
ship OF the country and to the profit
OF an exceedingly small number Of
manufacturers. II the surplus is too
large why should not these favored
few individuals cease to be not only
protected, but cOddled with fortunes
annuity, contributed by the whole
body OF consumers. The hue and cry
against the internal revenue tax on
banks is only intended apparently to
direct attention away from some of
the gross abuses OF the tariff, which
should not be used to enrich any par.
ticular clique or body of men, but the
entire people. The tariff is intended
to protect our capital and labor against
foreign competition, which is a wise
intention, but not to put burden
upon the country for the exceeding
benefit of the few. There are MANY
imported articles which should bear
q reduced duty, and which would
bear It better than the abrogation of
the bank tax could be borne.
There is no questioning the value
and usefulness of the National banks.
They are of the utmost value. but II
ls TO Dc considered that the greater
part Of their usefulness is that COM
trlouted by the Government itself
The Government is security for the
iull value of their circulation its
guarantee makes their notes of issue
good all the world over, as good in
deed as one of its own notes of issue.
They would be of little worth outside
OF The Immediate nelghborhoods in
which they are respectively issued if
1t were not that the whole credit of
the government is pledged for their
Vaildlty. 1t Is the Government stamp
that gives value not emily to the Ma
tlonal bank notes, but to the national
banks also. 1t gives these banks
not only popular credit but the power.
Whleh 1t denies to other citizens en-
gagged In the banking business to make
money. 1t is the Government which.
10 supporting their character and cir.
culation, fills their tills and vaults
with profits. They are granted extra.
ordinary privileges by the Govern
ment, which is simply the people, and
why should they not pay a trifie out
OF their vast profits to help support
the Government? Why should thew
be exempt from taxation especially Ph
Ii the duties were lowered, and the
nations of Europe encouraged to buy
the grain of our farmers, the people
could we'll afford to relieve the Banks
OF the tax they now pay. But it is
not fair to cut the agriculturalists out
OF the sale of farm produce merely to
benefit the manufacturers who are re.
celving rs per cent. in dividends.