Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-01-24
1ancastcr fntelligenrer.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, JAN. "a. 1888.
Sound Tariff Views.

There was a tariff discussion in the
Senate yesterday, during which nearly
all the diverse ideas upon the question
were put forward. 1t is one upon which
opinions differ Numerically. and in all
the shades between such total difference.
Senator Maxey, of Texas, considered that
the constitution gave no power to Con
rress to lay protective duty of any
kind, taking the ultra free trade posi-
tion. Senator Brown, OF Georgia, be
iieved in "tariff for revenue, with in
cidental protection to American labor,
raising no more than was absolutely nee
essary to the economical administration
of the government - which he pro-
nounced the old and true Democratic
doctrine on which the party alone could
prosper. Senator Sherman was for a
tariff to protect American against for-
eign cheap labor, but not to protect the
American manufacturer. Senator Bay
ard was in favor of projecting the man
ufacturer Of pig iron. The discussion
took place upon a proposition to make
the duty on foreign iron ore and the dross
from burnt pyrites one dollar instead
of fifty cents per ton, as in the bill. Sen
ator Bayard declared that he would put
sulphuret of iron and pyrites on the free
list because they entered into the man
ufacture of fertilizers and that he
would rather put iron ore on the free
list than increase the duty on
it because his ideas was the duties
on the original elements of man
ufacture should be reduced as much
as possible, 50 that the manufacturers
could afford to supply their goods in
competition with those of foreign lands
He declared that he would vote upon Tie
tariff question, acting mpon the principle
that the taxing powers are vested IL
Congress for the use of the Americai
people as a people, and not for the uSt
or benefit of any men or class of men or
account CT the occupations i'll whcl
they might he engaged.
We are in entire sympathy with Sen
atOr Bayard's views. Legislation ol
the tariff should be graded by the leg
islators' sense Cf what is due to th'
prosperity of the country. We conceive
that the taxing powers of Congress
should be exercised to sustain its impor
tant manufactures, without the cultiva
tiOn of which we would not be an in
dependent people. But the mining o
ores is business where protection is no
demanded 10y the public good. If TIN
ores are valuable they will be mine,
without protection and if they are no
sufficiently valuable to be 50 developed
their development may protitab!y awai
their growth in value. Senator Shei
man did not speak sincerely when Il
declared that he no longer propose
to protect American manufacturers
but was solely intent upon protect IN
American labor. He thought That woui
have popular sound. But as the reSu'
of his voting to protect American labo
is the prot ectiOn of the American mahr
facturer he will not be able to success!
fully posture before the country as Il.
champion of the people am, the foe OF til
capitalist. lie supposeS the capitalist
have intelligence enough to understalI
this and TO be content to get his vote Will
losing his words; and ha supposes I'll
people to be stupid enough to accept h
words in full acquittal Of deeds and $
he will be popular all around. Bu
that way OF carrying water on bot
shoulders has been UnsucceSsfully tried S
often that Mr.. Sherman, too, may be e,
pec.ed to come TO grief in essa. ing it.