The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-02-22

valOrem duty was only 81 per cent, and
this duty was levied 10 give our infant ia
dusiries start =. Subsequently duties were
raised to an average of IL pei
cent, and in 1892 10 1873 pei
cent. In 1916 the average rate of duties wa:
so per cent. In 1924 tine average was 81 pei
cent, and under the act OF 1898. just forty
years after the first tariff law bad admins
tered an aliment OF SIS per cent. as purely
temporary expedient to our 'infant indus
tries" the rations of that infant were in
creased to an average of Al per cent. In
1888 the compromise tariff bill wentinto eff
feet. gradually reduced the duties until 1872
when they were not to exceed 20 per cent,
and in 1857 the duties were only 10 per cent
Mr.. Coke says:
From 1916 until 1861 when the first of the serie:
of acts raising ultimately impost duties to the
present highly protective average OF IS per cent,
known as the Morrill, tariff. was passed. period
Of sixteen or seventeen years. is the only period
in the history of our Government when we had a
strictly revenue tariff 1t is the only period when
high protection has not prevailed, when Infant
industries" have not been fed with Government
bounties, except that incidental protection which
OF necessity follows a revenue tariff. During this
period two great facts ,were demonstrated to be
true First, that protection is not necessary to a
healthy growth of manufacturing industries;
and seer nd that low duties produce greater reve-
rue for the Government than high protective
rates. While manufacturers did not become
enormously rich as before and since under high
protection. they were prosperous, their business
was healthy. and their progress solid, as the
history of that time ebundantly shows.
The cry for protecting bsunties from the Gov
eminent in these sixteen years, after the Infant
industries" had been gradually weaned off
the presence of the palpable and no
torious fact that the country had never been
more prosperous, that the manufacturing interest
had never rested on a more solid basis and reve-
nues for the Government had never been more
abundant A more complete refutalion OF the
sophistry on which for nearly seventy-five years
the people OF this country had been taxed to build
upand enrich manufacturing class could not be
desired than this sin pie recital OF welauthenti
Gated facts But The Civil War came, great Ieye-
nues were needed. the country thought of moth
ing but war and snnics and navits. and how to
raise the imm ensc revenues necessary to maintain
them. Here was the opportunity to increase
tariff duties 60 the highest possible figure. and
well and thoroughly 1t was embraced and utilized.
The WAR tariff acts were passed in rapid success
sion, each going heYond the other in pliing up
duties, until every conceivable article
that could minister to human necessity,
desire, convenience or luxury was placed
on the duuable list The object
then was estenSibly revenue; nothing was heard
of protection. The debates On these various acts
discussed only the best methods of raising revenue
so much needed. 1t was cot until 1870 when
slight reduction was made on few immaterial
items OF the tariff list, that we hear again of pro-
lection. The manufacturing enterprises which
under the revenue tariff of 1916 had been made
hardy and vigorous and self-rehant and self-sus-
tanning 10y being turned out to the same compe-
titiOn that all other enterprises in this country
have always had 60 contend with, after being
pampered with bounties under the "War tariff
with its enormous duties. again put in their ap-
pearance as ''our infant indugtries" needing pro-
lection and protested against aud successfully
resisted any material important reduction, just
they did two years ago. and as they are striving
now to do again. a Temporary" war tariff pro-
fessedly to raise revenue when enacted which
the requirements OF the Government, is now
sought to be established as permanent. fixed
system for protection.
Senator Coke brings into the bOldest possible
prominence figures which explain why pro-
tectionists and monopolists are so determin-
ed to maintain the present Ubiquitous tariff.
He says:
During the fiscal year just closed the value Of
dutiable merchandise imported into this country
from abroad. as the Treasurer's report shows,
was s4BO6l ,5S795. Upon this merchandise was
collected at the Custom House. Sl0s 500 sg7 o. be-
ing average OF s34 per cent. This is the entire
revenue of the Government derived from the
tariff for the last fiscal year. Now, what amount
do the manufacturers receive from the tariff
BY the census Of 1870 1t was estimated that $1,000
600, COO worth OF manufactured articles were con-
sumed annually in the United states The fig
ures for 1850 are not yet published so as to be
cessible. but following the ratio Of increase in
population and every thing else, they must amount
to at least s. 600 GOO 00e each year All these man
ufaotures being increased in cost to the consumer
by the amount OF tariff duty. which, as l have
before stated is an average Of IS per cent, which
goes to manufacturers, it is easy to see on that
basis what the share of the manufacturer would
be. But will discount that per cent. SO as to
more than cover all contingencies and all draw
backs, and say they only receive under the tariff
25 per cent. on the sum total of manufactured
articles consumed in the Emitted States, and il
amounts to the enormous sum of sl250, eco
annually. And the amount increases each year
with the population and trade OF the country.
so, for the year 1851, the results of tariff taxa
tion and the distribution of its proceeds may be
tsbulated thus:
Revenue received by the Govern
lyS.cOOoy1 OF
Bounty received by manuisctur-
ers......-....- oO,OOOOOO %
So that foreyery single dollar paid into the Ma
tional Treasury under the existing tariff six and
half dollars. atthe lowest calculation, go into the
pockets of The manufacturers. If this vast sum OF
money we're collected annually from the pockets
of the people directly. TO be given to the already
richest class Of people in this country each year.
its m0nsuouS iniquity would, Of course, be so sp-
parent as to defeat it Bat 1t is collected indl-
rectly, though as surely in an increased price OF
everything they consume. in everything they eat,
drink. and wear; in every tool and implement
they work with; In every article which enters into
the construction Of the houses they live in.
whether used for strength, or utility. or orna'
ment; III every book or newspaper they read
This tax is all-pervading as the atmosphere they
breathe. and they have been so accustomed 20 II
that they neither feel nor appreciate its enornity.
There was time when their fathers thought