The Indianapolis journal., 1883-05-19
THE TARIFF PRINCIPLE.


erable impulse. Immigration had filled our
then young nation with men skilled in every
branch of manufacture A number of fac
tories were established during the Revolu-
tionary war. "Many new establishments
and some entire branches OF manufactures
were entirely ruined by the enormous i'm
portations which followed the peace, and by
the financial distress which overlook all
classes in consequence of the heavy drains of
specie thereby occasioned." The manufac-
turing interests hailed with joy the new con-
stitution. THAT the productive classes re-
garded the constitution of 1887 as comforting
the power and the right of protection to the
infant manufactures of the country, and
thus of seconding the general zeal for their
increase, is manifest from the jubilant feel
ing excited in numerous quarters upon the
public ratification of that instrument"
The first petition to the first Congress, in
March, 1889, was sent by 700 mechanics
tradesmen and others, of Baltimore. 1t de-
manded protection to American manufae-
lures by imposing on "all foreign articles
which could be made in America such du-
ties as would give decided preference to
their labors" Similar petitions were sent
from the manufacturers and mechanics of
New York, of Boston, of Philadelphia
Charleston, New Jersey, and other places.
The first act of the new government lex
cepting a formal aot) was one which declared
in its preamble that it-was necessary for
the support of government, for the dis
charge of the debts of the United States, and
the encouragement and protection of manu-
factures, that duties be laid on goods, wares
and merchandise imported" This measure
was introduced by Mr.. Madison within two
days after counting the presidential vote,
and before the Inauguration of Washington;
it passed the House by vote of Al to s; it
was signed by Washington on the 4th of
July. This bill was the basis of the subse-
quent tariff acts. 1t inaugurated the system
of protection to American industry. Almost
every objection that has since been raised by
short-sighted demagogical would-be pro-
tectors of the honest mechanics and laboring
men were brought forward at that stage of
the discussion. Each argument against the
system was pronounced worthless by the
trainers of the constitution. The fact
stands prominent that protection
was at that early day demanded by mer-
chant, manufacturer, mechanic and laborer
with an almost unanimous voice. 1t is
equally true that the great fathers of the
constitution of 1887, one and all, with al
most unanimous voice and vote, established
the principle of protection. They estab-
lished it so well that though frequently as
saulted, it still remains unshaken 1t has
been ably defended by almost every great
man of American history.
The duration of the first act was limited to
1896 Men differed then, as they do now, as
to the per cent. of duty required. To fix this
per cent. of duties at the proper rate requires
great care and constant supervision, but the
great principle of protection should never be
overlooked. What is especially needed now
is to discover the proper rate OF duty as near
as may be- fix the tariff at that rate and then
with discriminating judgment let the ques-
ton alone. Constant meddlng with this
question keeps the manufacturers in dis
of anxiety, and grow feverish. 1t was say
ing of Peter Cooper that financial distress
and hard times had followed upon each re-
duction and removal of protective duties
He was certainly qualified to speak on the
subject. If this statement is not correct, the
free-traders and tariff fffor-revenue only men
are invited to produce their statistics. The
great mass of the man anufacturers and of their
employees have always favored and now favor
protective tariff
Not as directly connected with the rise of
the tariff question, butas of some interest to
all, we call attention to the fact that the rate
per capita OF customs and home tax in the
United States is $732, in England $10.17, in
France 1887. Does this show that we are
comparatively such an overtaxed people?
The Republican party stands on the prin-
ciple OF protection to American labor and
encouragement of home industries. Will
the Democratic party say, ''let the laborer go
idle and the factories tumble into ruins, if by
removing the tariff we can encourage i'm
portation from abroadl' If so, the issue is
made.
THE nay TO REST