Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-09-28
The Tariff Issue.

ticle under the imposing caption
"The Real Question for Voters" An
examination of the article will dem
onstrate in moment that it is intend.
ed to mislead and is in reality a bun
die of false statements. The tariff
seems to be the particular point on
which the Democratic party is ar
raigned, and the readers of the Re
publican are assured that the whole
system of tariff will be overthrown
unless General Beaver is elected Gov
ernor of this Commonwealth. What
the election of Governor has to do
with the tariff or how it can effect
that question in the least is more than
the Infinite being can comprehend.
Congress- says the Constitution of
the United States, shall have power
to lay and collect taxes, duties, i'm
posts and excises." &" No State" SAYS
the same instrument, "shall lay any
imposts or duties on imports or ex-
ports" If the Republican desires to
raise the tariff question on our candi.
date for Congress and undertakes to
prove that by word or deed he has
not always been with the laborer and
for every means that would advance
our industrial interests, they can do
so, but they might as we'll undertake
to lift Nittany mountain from its base
as to assal him on that or
any other question. The Democratic
party in the article in question, is
charged with the violation of the tariff
of 1928. 1t is now historical fact
so plain that every boy should be
familiar with it, that the tariff of 1928
was so pernicious in its effect upon the
Southern portion of the country that
the Wings of the South actually re-
belled against its provisions. Their
great leader, Henry Clay, originated
and passed the Tariff Act of 1882.
The leading features were lst. That
there should be fixed rate Of ad.val.
orem duty, aud discrimination below
it. ID. That the excess of duty be-
yond 20 per cent. should, by gradu.
al process, commencing on the 3lst
day of december, 1882, be reduced,
so that by june 30th, 1912, it should
be brought down to 20 per cent. Clay
has always been regarded by all par
ties a. the father of the protective sys-
tenn. The Republicans of this day if
they are to be judged by what they
say, simply know nothing of the views
of sir. Clay on that great question.
In 1S43, in reply to letter asking his
views on the protective policy of 1882
Mr.. Clay said:
1.-THE sum and substance Of what I con-
ceive to b. the true 10 icy Of the United
States in respect to tariff may be briefly
stated. In conformity with the principles
announced in the Compromise Act, think
that whatever revenue is necessary to nm
economical and honest administration Of
the general Government, ought to be de-
| rived from duties imposed on foreign i'm
ports And believe that, in establishing
A tariff Of those duties such n discrimina-
tion ought to be made as will incidentally
afford reasonable protection TO our nation
al interests.
I" think there il no danger Of a high
tariff ever being esablished that Of 1928
was ominently deserving that denominA-
/ ton. I was not In Congress when IL pass
/ ed and did not vote for it but with its
| history and with the circumstances which
gave birth to II | am well acquainted.
They were highly disGreditabe to Ameri-
can legislation, and hope, for its honor,
| will never again be- repeated.
! "After my return 10 Congress in 1881,
my efforts were directed TO the modifca-
| tion and reduction of the rates Of duty
II
contained IN the Act Of 1928. The Act
Of 1892 greatly reduced and modified them.
had resigned my seat when the Act Of
1912 passed. Generally the duties which II
/ imposes are lower than those Of the Act Of
| 1852. Ny opinion that there IL no danger
hereafter Of high tariff, i founded on the
gratifying fact that our manufactures
have taken q deep root. In their infancy
they need greater measure Of protection
but as they grow and advance they acquire
strength and stability and consequently
will require less protection. Even now,
some branches Of them are able 10 main
tain in distant markets successful competi-
tion with rival foreign manufactures"
II then there was \ business collapse
in 1887, as the Republican says, 1t
came when there was in full force a
tariff devised by the Wings, and a
tariff reeaOnized he the Republicans