West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-01-27
TENDENCY or THE TARIFF Dr.
NATE.

discussed with far.mOre breadth and
comprehensivsness than ever before
in this country, although it has oc-
cupied the attention and enlisted the
talents of the first statesmen in every
period OF our history.
The two great parties now occupy
ing The field are deter mined to make
record on the subject aud take a
definite position. The tariff plank
of the platforms are being formulated
Tor the campaign Of 1884. and the
leading men in Congress are taking
positions.
But the most curious phase OF the
tariff discussion is the diversity Of
opinion which exists among the lead
ing men Of both parties. 1t may be
more noticeable among leading DEM
ocrsts than Republicans, but there
are scarcely two prominent men Of
either party VINO are recognized as
being in entire harmony upon this
subject.
The diversity of opinion shows
how complex the question of tariff
and from how many different stand
points 4 plausible argument can be
tramel.
For instance Senator Garland IN
troducsd his revenue commission bill
with the novel groundwork OF argu-
ment, that the constitution does not
contemplate l>ws for the protection
OF industry; that anything beyond
the mere collection of revenue is
outside the letter and intent OF he
constitution.
The d. fsreuce between Senators
Beck and B4yard is founded chiefly
upon the metholo proposed for re-
vising the tsrf, Mr.. B1y1rd lsvors
commission to Investigate the sub
sot and report bill for rearrsnge
ment OF duties. He holds that the
paramount purpose in tariff taxation
should be to provide for the expenses
Of the government, and an inciden-
tai result Of this infostering our in-
dustry ought TO be considered.
Mr.. Geek does not greatly dif.r
from ;his position, bat he OF poses
the appointment of conn ssion,
because commission appointed by
a Republican PRECEDENT and a Re-
publican Congress would certainly
report bill Of a one sided, p rtlsan
character. He wants Congress to
act on the matter at once without
waiting dor a commission.
Ic muet he conceded that Mr..
Beck has Ia 4de the strongest argu-
ment in favor Of Lis views OF the
ta:if that has yet been presented
He 10 strong ia any position he takes.
lie holds that no one IN this coun-
try wants tree trade that 1t is i'm e.
possible so long as it is necessary to
provide the larger portion Of the
public revenue by taxing imports.
Nor does be want to deprive home
industries oil the protection which a
fair and pIoperlcvenue tariff affords;
hut he holds that the tariff ought to
be framed for revenue and not pro-
lection, which compels farmers who
furulsb uine tenths OF the exports
TO pay 10 per cent. more for goods
in the markets where th 90 exports
are sold than the sellers Of these
,oJds a x.
TIE positions Of the two Indians
statesmen. Senator'S Voorhees, and
/ Mcdonald, are at antipod ss, al
though they are OF the same party.
That Of Senator Voorhees, was re-
Gently given wide publication in his
Atlanta speech. Senator Mcdonald
has lately put himssli on record in
this connection 40 follows:
"Let me call your attention TO the ef-
fects Of the tariff upon the farmer ant
producer az compared 70 the benefits de
rived from Il by the manufacturer. Oh
the 1888 900, 900 Of domestic merchandis,
exported during the last fiscal year eighty
per cent. we're products of the soil and
farm, the chief Of which were cotton
breadstuffs, provisions and tobacco anC
live stock. The prices for this vast amouu
Of farm and agricultural products wer,
fixed 10 Liverpool and London. tn,
price OF wheat goes up or iown In th,
Board Of Trade at Chicago az It auctuate
10 London or Liverpool, 90 that the for
eign price determines the home price
Our imports Tor the year upon which duly
was paid, as you have seen, was ove
S446,O0O, 900; Of this amount ninety pc
cent. we're Of articles Of manufacture
The price Of these were fixed Ia Loael
and other macufacturing centres in tht
country, and not at the port ut which the,