The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-02-14
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
BAYARD's KEYNOTE.
A Tariff to be Just Must be Gen.
eral, not Local, in its 0per-
alton.
U. S. sENATE, JANUARY %, l883.

q step tOHAIu TeiOTHl OF our system Ol tAFiu
duties. There is general concession in pub
lie opinion that the present tariff is OBJ
structiye to our domestic industries and OBJ
structive TO our commercial intercourse
with other nations; that il is complicated,
obscure, aud excessive in its rates. The
task has been proposed TO Congress TO re-
model the tariff and get rid Of these defects
il possible. There is, as far as | can under
stand, an intelligent, clear, public demand
for a reduction OF the scale Of tariff duties,
for simplihcation of the system; that
there shall be some method by which the
necessaries Of life and the cost Of produc-
ton in this country shall be lessened.
How is that to be obtained? We feel
here the difficulty of dealing with the di-
yersified industries Of this country and the
diversified productions Of the country.
The Senator from Missouri speaks very nat
Crally when he says that while he is for a
revenue tariff generally yet when it comes
10 some especial interest near his
home and among his people, he feels the
duty incumbent upon him to insist upon q
protective spirit in the law that he does not
feel as applied to other portions Of the
country. That is a very natural feeling
which does exist, and it is one of the chief
causes Of difficulty we now encounter in
settling our system of tariff taxation.
At the very root of the doctrine Of taxa
ton liJs, it is true, a necessary principle,
that it is public act and FOR public pur.
pose, and the very instant that you shall
change that doctrine and make it private
act or local act for private, class, or To-
cal purpose then you have begotten the nat.
ural rivalry between localities and local in
terests that will make it almost impossible
ever to reduce system OF taxation which
han haau uwnIIan aud anla pUaA M i'm.
proper extent.
1t was the exigency of the war; it was the
haste, the inevitable haste at that time TO
discover objects upon which taxation could
be levied that led 10 this conglomerate sys
tenn both of internal and external taxation
which We have Witnessed for 80 many years
past in this country.
The internal revenue has comparatively
been simplifed. II has been reduced to
three or four chief heads. Distilled spirits,
fermented liquors, and tobacco form its
chief heads; but the tariff upon imports
has not only had no modification since war
ceased, but, on the contrary, repeated inten-
sifcation in many of its features.
The tariff Of 1867 lowered internal reve.
nue., but it seriously increased the duties
upon imports. The tariff Of 1876 another
most unwise advance in tariff duties, was
made in time of profound peace, and
some of its evils are those from which we
are now seeking relief
How is IL to be done? II the doctrine
| suggested by my friend from Missouri is to be
followed up, then the compliments of the
Senator from Michigan will of course be
passed around the Senate--"Y0u tickle me,
| tickle You !" "You sustain my local in
dustry, and will join:hands with you to
sustain yours" And so you will have this
Gordon of combined interests which will eff
feetually prevent anything like the refor
nation and reduction OF taxes which is
sought
Mr. Conger Mr.. President
Mr.. Bayard. The Senator will pardon
me, will give way to him in minute. The
Senator calls on the Senator from Missouri
and welcomes him into the ranks of protec-
ton because he says upon the subject OF
zinc and spelter and the like he wants to
have an increase OF duty over the present
high rates, and now he says, "You voted to
put lumber on the free-list, but | will show
u peculiarly Christian spirit by voting for
your favorite article, and | will vote for
every other in order that there shall be a
firm combination that in the end will be
able to resist all attempts at reform and re.
duction asked for.n
saw this spirit; | recognized it. | dc
not speak OF it disrespectfully; look upon
| it as natural exhibition Of human feeling
hut do say it is as fatal as death to this
principles of sound and just texation. In q
country like our own, with that spirit started
aad that rivalry for local interests among
local representatives, there never can b.
and there never viii be an agreement.
If we ever mean to pass truly reforma
tory law upon this subject it must be upoI
the basis that it is the public interest which
shall atfix the grade OF taxation suficien
for public needs and purposes, and that in
| dividual demands raising it beyond sucl
requirements shall not prevail. Upon tina
| principle Congress may proceed to make
tariff law. Upon the other system of mer,
division of the spoils of legislative power
| for that is what It is, do not believe tina
the Senate or the House OF Representative
ever can agree.
Our interests in this country are so di
verse-by that mean that the diversity o
the production, the natural clash and rival
| ny of local interests, are 80 great how ar
they tobe harmonized; how are they to b
brought together? II you are to have com
binations to advance one especially or o.
especial class, what will be the result
who can command the most votes will d.
mand and receive the greatest share of tn
taxing power, and injustice must surel
follow or else human nature will have bee
changed.
submit to the Senate If we are to embar
upon the rule that each member Of thi
body Is to get for his immediate constituent
all he can of the taxing power of the Unite
States-if that is to be the rule, If it is to
"the devil take the hindmost'-of cours
then this tariff bill is to be scramble 70
the spoils Of legislation. de not see ho'
any wise change of the law can occur, o
how any just basis of taxation can be al
rived at or shall long be satisfactory b,
cause | am satisfied that in this countr
there will come sooner or later, and thin
soon rather than late, perception in tn
minds of our people that there is en-
national interest that is superior to an
local interest, and that our laws for taxa
ton and for all other public purposes are I
be arranged with reference to the nations
interest first and chiefly, and that that ca
not be done by having scramble betwee
the different localities and States of tn
Union as to which shall obtain the creates
share and benefits Of the taxing power Of tn
General Government. There
fore it is, say, that regret every evidenC
that see OF the intention to settle or try I
settle---I think il will be vain attempt
tariff system upon the basis of local d,
mand and merely local or class interes
There must be general consideration (