Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-18
DAYLIGHT Breaking.

UtlAiSHt DICdhAuSs
The Tariff Commission was organized |
ostensibly to inquire into the needs of
American industries in the way of pro-
lection, and to frame report upon the
subject that would afford basis for
adjusting import duties to just and
proper scale. That the gentlemen COM
posing the commission can or will make
such report few believe. The fact is,
there can be no just tariff for protection.
The nearest approach to such tariff
would not satisfy the benefciaries.
The Morrill, tariff has been working
for years. 1t contains numerous mon
strosities in the way of extravagant pro-
lection for special interests. Yet, in
stead of the representatives of those
interests being willing to consent to
trifie less support, they are unanimous in
crying for more. The sole business of
the commission seems to be to sit and
hear these demands, and if they make
report against complying with them
they will, possibly, surprise themselves.
Tariffs should be laid with the sole pur-
pose of producing revenue. The tariff
that will bring the greatest return to the
Treasury is the only Just tariff that can
be laid. On that basis justice can
be done to every enc. That we
will yet have such system
of revenue is as certain as was the re-
peal of the British corn laws. Golden,
Bright and their followers fought long
ere they triumphed in the struggle for
free bread. They had to educate the
people, and when that was done their
work was done. Just so with ourselves.
The people have been blind to the OPP
preston of the "barons." They have
allowed them to demand and receive
from Congress successive concessions at
the expense of the masses until the pro-
tected class have come to think that their
privileges are to be perpetual.
There are signs of healthy awaken
ing on the part of the people, and the
performances of the commission are
contributing largely to it. When the
people hear the calls made in behalf of
our Infant" industries they begin to
think it is time most of them should be
able to toddle at least. The commission
is educating the people in bringing them
to question themselves. Meanwhile the
press is helping on this self-questioning
and the advocates of revenue reform are
multiplying daily.
The theory of protection cannot stand
logical criticism. 1t begs the question
at the start. 1t rests on false premises
that no level-headed tax payer would
grant.
The gospel of reform is convincing
one. It appeals directly to the pockets
of the tribute payers, and to the deluded
workers, who are assured by protection
lists that the primary end of protection
is the protection of labor, when in reality
the fruition of protection is the enslave-
ment of labor. That labor profits least
from protection the great strikes of the
past summer prove in decidedly prac-
teal way.
The question of tariff reform must be
met. 1t can only be met satisfactorily
by a tariff that will give the government
the means to meet its obligations and
discharge its duties Such tariff would
tax all for the benefit of all, and none
for the benefit of a few. In view of
the vested interests" in the shape of
very feeble ''infant" industries, they
might be gwen a little more support by
the pursuance of the course adopted
when our last revenue tariff went into
operation-nOtice can be served upon
these "infants" that pap will be given
them for limited period, at the expira-
ton of which the supply will be prompt
ly cut off. There may be few such in
dustries, but they are fearfully modest
in revealing themselves. The robust
specimens are voraciously vociferous
in making their wants known.
The "barons' " pirate of the 'pauper"
labor of Europe, but are quick to pro-
cure that pauper labor when the pinch
comes, and are not slow to scale its COM
pensation to the lowest notch. More
over the barOns themselves are but so
many out-pensioners kept in splendid
abodes instead of almshouses at the pub
lie expense. The people are waking up,
and pretty soon from the broad prairies
of the West and the sunny fields of the
South there will come demands for JUS
tice that must be heard. Government
owes protection of life, liberty and
property to every man, but it is not
bound to provide living for any man
that can procure 1t for himself.