The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1882-04-12
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M. Abram 8. Hewitt = credited Win
representing large corp rate Interests In
Congress and with . leaaing toward .
protective tariff, but h. speech upon
this subject recently d6llvssed In the
HOUSE OF Representative = not II the
line Of that belief. In this speech he
pointed out that the markets q the
world were practically closed 70 the
manufactured products Of the country
OF account of the artificial barrier
erected BY the tariff to the introduction
Of the nav materials. He asserted - .
fundamental principle that legislation
could not create value nor determine
the rate Of wages, and that the existing
tariff was - powerless to produce the
prosperity now enjoyed by the country
rs it had been to prevent the depression
from which the country emerged
in 1870 and which it then served to az.
gravate by denying access to foreign
markets for our manufactured products.
In spite Of the tariff and not because of
it, the United States alone of al the ma
lions Of the world are to-day, in . pros
porous condition, tut q change has al
ready begun. The balance of trade
though still in our favor, is rapidly
growing less the shipments Of gold
have already commenced, the stock ex-
changes Of the country are deeply dis
turbed and values have seriously fallen.
Mercantile failures are increasing and
confidence Is impaired to such IN extent
that halt has been called upon enter
prises Of . speculative character; while
others, based upon sound principles, are
compelled to move with great caution.
Though the situation is not exactly
alarming still it is very serious. II there
fs not likely to be q sufficient outlet
abroad for our surplus products they
must be consumed at home or perish in
store-houscs aud granaries. We all know
what depression, distress and general f.
nancial disaster such . surplus Of prod
ucts not needed by consumption Is sure
10 entail.
Then tho proposition 10 q sound one
that access to the open markets Of the
world for The manufactures Of the coun-
try Is essential to the continuance of our
prosperity. The existing tariff is = tax
upon consumption and is substantially
= per capita tax, and therefore pressed
with peculiar severity upon the work
ing classes. 1t produces $3.50, OOO, 600 an
nualIy more than is needed for national
aid to that extent imposes
an unnecessary burden upon the pro-
ductive energies Of the people. Every
pound of raw material imported free
will enable US to export Ill additional
quantity Of our own materials, and in
this way the markets for these materi-
ais and are;. Cor the employ nlent Of labor
will lie greatly and steadily enlarged.
An abolition Of duty on raw materials
will enable the United States to make
a corresponding reduction in the duties
OH the manufactured products
Of which they are component parts. a
tariff designed t" produce an adequate
revenue Oh the average of years will
give all the protect ION which Ameri-
ran industry needs. Tie laborin:s classc,
have nothing to expect or to gain from
protective tariffs, but have everything
t" gain by removing every possible OH
struction to the extensive business i'm
posed by the existing tariff, aud by tho
removal d: taA.s upon what they might
and by = transfer of the bur-
icns Of government 40 fnr a. might be |
practicable from those who actually pro-
luce the wealth to those who own the |
liked capital Of the country and are the |
of luxur;cs.
There should lie no delay in revising
the present tariff: II good harvests Ike |
secured abroad, our own country
will have surplus Of food prices will {!
a:l, and the wages will bc reduced. All |
his will result in strikes and lock-outs;
rAilrnad development will cease there
will liz u d.arth "f employment, and
he experience Of 1913 and 80 will be |
repeated. And when the era Of u better |
governed trade shall he reached it will |
probably b. OH such conditions as will |
deprive the present generation Of work.
slcn Of all its benefits. Hence the ne
;essity for prompt AMI intelligent action
~ revising our present tariff exists.
The anti-'hinese bin fa;les! Of passage
'ver tile vet" ty vote Of - ayes to q
noes. The twenty-nine who voted for