Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1882-06-02
Gureka Dailp Sentinel.
WHO ARE FIT?


President Arthur, in the sGf5ctron- Of
members of the Tariff Commission, has
an extremely difficult duty to perform.
1t would seem that he cannot choose
men who are unfamiliar with the subject.
To do so would be to entrust to compare
tive ignoramuses the most complex and
intricate question presented by the po-
litical economy of the United States. 1t
is a subject upon which scientists differ
scientists who study it profoundly as
a speciality, and with no other motive
than to arrive at abstract truths from
the consideration and analysis of a world
of facts. Not that scientific writers on
political economy make nc mistakes. On
the contrary, the very different conclu-
sions thew reach in the discussion Of i'm
portant affairs shows that they err some
times fatally. But the faults OF their
reasoning cannot be attributed to a lack
OF information, nor hardly to a lack OF
intelligence. To presume them lacking
in either Intelligence or information
would be to presume the contrary OF
what is a generally recognized fact. But
if political economists who are full of a
knowledge of their science make serious
blunders, what can be expected Of 9TH
ers, though intellectual and cultivated in
other respects, if they take up this sub
ject as new? 1t certainly is not within
the comprehension of the ordinary Con-
gresham or Senator, supposing he give
up every other duty to investigate the
complicated question Of national tariff
for the first time.
There are many men, shrewd business
men, in the country who are familiar
enough with the tariff question to a cer-
tain extent. Their knowledge, however,
in the premises is acquired by actual par
ticipation in traffic and is confined within
the limits OF their actual business eXpe-
rience. Their knowledge also rarely ex-
tends beyond their immediate interests
in the trade. Still such men as these on
the Tariff Commission seem indispensa-
Bile. This commission, it seems, ought
to be made up Of three elements, namely:
protectionists, free traders and neutrals.
The latter should he eminent political
economists OF recognized learning and
wisdom, who may sit in the council
somewhat as lisinterested judges and
digest logically the facts which the pref
udiced protectionists and free traders
would be sure to offer in all f~ullness.
The work Of such a commission would re.
suit, no doubt, in valuable acquisitions
to the science of political economy, and
it's deductions would go a good way to-
wards determining the actual differences
that exist between the advocates OF free
trade on the one hand and OF protection
on the other. When the causes Of the
controversy are once clearly set forth,
when the commercial policies OF the op'
posing parties are once sharply analysed
by comparison, a definite balance struck
between the two, a remedy can be de-
vised. The subject is old and varies its
aspects as m takes on new
phases here, there and anywhere through
out the country. 1t has occupied the
best minds of the United States for
many years, almost fruitlessly. Still nc
such organized effort at investigation and
inquiry has been made as that proposed
by the Tariff Commission. If it be made
up Of efficient members some valuable
results from its labors may be reasona.
bly, anticipated.