The Delaware farmer., 1883-12-14
GRANGE.
TIE TARlFF.
FROM ANNUAL ADDRESS OF J.J.wooDMAS, WORTHY
MASTER OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE

bONf al 10 iAot allitual ocos DHs
"Resolred, That all discussions relating to the
tariff, as a question OF political economy, arc
legitimate questions and we recommend that
such an investigation and discussion ofthese mat
tiers be made as will furnish our members with
a more intelligent consideration Of a subject
which involves the vital interests Of the agricu-
tursts. and that all such discussions must be
without partisan political bias"
Quite an animated discussion, not only in the
Subordinate and County Oranges, but at public
meetilgs and through the Grange press, has fol.
lowed this action; and II Is gratifying to know
that they have been, generally, conducted in a
fraternal spirit, and as free from partisan bias
could have been expected. am confident that
no injury to the work OF our Order has re-
suited from this act of the National Grange;
and IN view Of the fact that since ,hat meeting,
Congress has so amended the tariff laws, as to
seriously injure if not entirely ruin one OF the
most important agricultural industries OF our
country; l regard it as fortunate indeed, that
this recommendation was made. I make no
apology therefore, in calling your attention to
this subject.
BY our tariff laws, a tax or duty is levied upon
the products OF other countries, imported into
this, from which the revenues of the government
are mainly derived. AS a genera! proposition,
this tax upon foreign products, coming into the
market OF this country in competition with its
products, must be IN some degree protective to
the latter, and consequently enhances their
market value. This additional cost is paid by
the consumer, IN lieu Of other taxes for the sup
port of the government. This system for prOvid-
ing revenue, is practiced by all civilized and pro-
gressive nations.
Free trade would abolish all tariff laws, Gus
tom houses, aud officers, and allow all other ma
tiOns to sell their products in our market, with.
out restriction. This would be giving to other
nations, privileges not granted to us; aud would
take from the revenue of the government, three.
fiiths of the gross receipts. To supply this de-
ficlt would necessitate a direct annual tax upon
the property OF the people, amounting in the ag
gregate to 81 90 per capita OF our eutirs popula-
tiOn, exclusive OF the expense Of assessing aud (
collecting the same. As is has been officially es
timated that ninety per cent. of the personal
property OF the country escapes taxation, this
burden would fall most be avily upon farmers
who own most OF the real and personal estate,
which cannot be screened from the assessors 4
eye. For these reasons if no other, farmers are
not likely TO become advocates OF absolute Free
Trade" But few intelligent citizens among us
seriously entertain such ideas. Nearly all con-
ce lie that we must have Tariff for Revenue"
Hence, the term "Free Trade,' as used in our
American politics is a misnomer.
The Government must have revenue and t.
obtain it without imposing burdens upon the :
people, will require wiser craftsmanship than
we are likely to have; and 50 long as revenue
is to be obtained by imposing duties ON foreign
imports, the system must be one, not Only OF
taxation but Of protection. The important
question then, seems to be, how can these beue. ,
fits and burdens be most equally and justly dis !
tributed? The great evil in our present Tariff Is
in its unjust discrimination. A "High Protective
Tariff" which builds up monopolies by impos-
ing uudue burdens upon the people at large, is
hgh-handed oppression: so a low tarig which
erpples home industries and oppresses labor. is
equally disastrous, not only to individual, but
national prosperity. The great objects to be ac
compshed by our tariff laws, should be, to fur
nish revenue, and at the same time give reason !
to every legitimate industry, anu
develop every resource of our country; and thus
in the language OF our Declaration OF Purposes,
established Proper equality, equity and far
ness; protection for the lCeet; restraint upon
the strong; in short, justly distributed burdens
and justly distributed poloer."
The nations wealth is in the soil, and genera
depends upon its productiveness. Ii
the great arm Of agriculture is weakened or
paralyzed, all trade, commerce, and mauufac.
lures must suffer and decline. Hence legislation
which crippes any important branch OF agricu
ture, and takes from the cultivator of the soil tie
means OF keeping up its fertility; is not only a. |
act of injustice to the farmers, but detrimental
20 the interests Of the whole people and the ma
.ion's welfare.
Sheep-husbandry is one or the most important l
agricultural interests Of this country, and abso-
lutely necessary in many sections to enable farm
ers to keep up the fertility OF the soil. FlOcks Of
sheep are the best and most available means &C
,esslble to the great mass Of farmers OF this {
country, for renovating and increasing the pro-
iuctlveness OF the farms. They destroy noxious )
weeds, CLEAN the fields, pack the soil, and return
much Of value to it. This industry has been en-
souraged ana built up, mainly by the Tariff acts
of Congress- for the reason that wool cannot be
produced in this country with our well paid Ia
Dor and expensive wintering OF sheep, as cheap
y as il can ia the warmer countries Of South
America, Africa. and Australia, where cheap la
Dor and perennial pastures abound. The WOO
PRODUCTION has been nearly doubled since the
it received by the tariff act of
s67; although the interest was greatly demor-
izrd by the act of 1872 which reduced the
market price OF our wool below the cost Of pro- +
Iuction. bnt crnduallv recovered 10 nearly its