Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-04-24
WHAT THEY ARE DRIVING All.

Il AhE Al.
That branch of revenue theorists who
are avOwed "Free traders" seldom
figure In any other way than as rheto-
rieioDs. AS a rule they do not come
down to specific demands, or formulate
platform sufficiently iefinite to be I'M
| derstood.
The fact seems to be that when a
"free trader" is pinned down to some
thing specific he is not free trader at
all. Recently, two of the most dis
tinguished apologists of the free trade
idea have delivered themselves OF
something like q platform. Mr.. E. P.
Wheeler, the President Of the American
Free Trade League, in his speech to the
Iroquois braves, laid down TWO PROPOSE
lions, in which he attempted to say
something specific, as follows:
First-Abandon forever the idea that it
is wise or healthful to induce the manufac-
iuTe of goods here, by government 0oun-
ties, that can be made cheaper in other
countries.
SeCond-Set about q gradual revision of
the tariff, not trying to reduce everything
all st once, but attackin. the obnoxious
clauses in detail. Divide and conquer.
FIRST, put raw material on the free list.
Then make proportional reduction in the
duties on the articles manufactured from
them. Thus return gradually to the policy
under which, from 1916 to 1860, we made
our most rapid and most solid progress.
This is not very startling. The
change in the existing revenue
policy is to be gradual. Raw mater
ials only are to be put on the free list
at first, which has strong support from
certain stiff protectiOnists, who desire
cheaper ore and wool for their manu-
factories. Mr.. WHEELER is not such a
bugaboo after all.
Hon. FRANK HURD, of Ohio, is also
rated as free trader. He may not be
that in strict sense, but is one of the
ablest of those who occupy prenonn-
ced positions in opposition to high pro-
lection. He too, has formulated plat
form in the shape ola bill which he
promises to introduce in the next
house as soon as it is organized. The
| following is synopsis Of it:
/. Revenue duties ought to be laid on ar.
ticles not produced in the country, such as
| tea, coffee, and spices. , Raw materials
| meaning materials Of manufactures upon
| which skilled labor has not been expended,
| sush as iron ore, wool, and lumber, ought
to be admitted free of duty. 3. Quite:
ought net to be laid on eIportables, such
as wheat, dairy products, provisions and
edge tools. (. All drugs and most chemi
Gals ought to be on the free list. .. A a
rule, duties on lu1uries ought to be higher
than duties on necessities. 6. Duties on
wines, liquors, and tobacco ought not to be
lower than the excise duties on like arti'
cles produced at home. :. Duties higher
than 20 per cent. ought to be reduced
cents annually until they are brought
down to 90 per cent. Where dutyis 81
| per cent. it should be reduced to Is pei
cent. next year. and so on. 8. Duties
ranging from to % per cent. ought to be
reduced cents annually until the rate i:
brought down to 5 per cent. We would
thus have only two classes OF duties event
uslly-s 20 per cent. class and 5 per cent
class. g. All specific and mixed duties
f, ought to be abolished. All duties ought to
be adyalorem.
1t will be discovered from the above
declarations of two men who are recOg,
died as representative free-traders, that
there are really not free-traders except
in theory. They may advocate free
trade, but are "agin its enforcement"