Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-05-10
FRANK HURD ON THE TARIFF.

FRANK HURD ON THE TARIFF.
Following is a brief synopsis of the debate
on the tariff on Wednesday of last week:
Mr.. Hiscock instituted a comparison be-
tween the condition of the business of the
country prior to the tariff of 1851, and its con-
ditions at the present time, and from com
parison deducted the conclusion that the pro
tectiye system was a better one for the peo-
pie. Agricultural products he maintained,
secured higher price now than they did TWEEN
ty years ago, a result which was attributable
to protection. The policy which the Other
side sought to initiate might have the effect Of
giving the farmer a market abroad, but II
would do it in only one way, by turning Out
of producers. and lowering the prices
of products. At the present prices the
American farmer could not compete with
home market for consumption of his pro-
duets. In advocacy of q protective system,
he asserted, the organized manufactures and
labor melted the inventive genius of the peo-
pie, and gave capital an opportunity for 3 safe
investment. and he denied 1t had had the ef-
feet of building m%onopolies.
Mr.. Morse wished he could support . bill
which would reduce the revenue 800, 600 900.
He would vote for the Morrison bill, because
it would result in a reduction of $3O, 600 zoe:
Mr.. Hurd advocated the bill. He denied
the right of the government to surrender the
taxing power and allow an individual to ex-
ercise it. When he earned wages they were
his W and he had a right to expend them
where he pleased. If he could make q better
contract with q Frenchman.a Mexican,a Can
adian or al Englishman than with an Ameri-
can, he had q right to do it and the govern
mont hod M riohf IN Interfere eynpDf in an
far as the needs of its revenue are concerned.
He rested his whole case On this proposition,
that, subject to the needs Of the government.
every man had q right to sell where he could
get the best price for what he had produced
and buy where he could buy the most cheaply.
This was the approved doctrine of political
economy, and the plainest teaching of justice.
1t i~ndividualized men, it begot in them a
spirit of Independence, it turned their eyes
from the government to themselves, It liked
the boundary line between governmental
power and personal right, it limited the au-
th0rity at public administration, it taught
men there was no arm so strong for their sup
port as their own, and no business so success
full as that which their ability and skill had
built up, it limited the government within its
proper sphere, and left the individuals free to
choose their own cares. develop their w re-
sources and build up their own fortunes. The
present American tariff was an embarrass-
ment to commerce and injurious to carrying
on trade. and it was q question of only q little
time when, under this policy, the American
fag would entirely disappear from the high
seas. The oceans were free to all. Any per-
son might sail whithersoever he pleased. but
in this free for all, where was America? The
skill of the sailor of every nation was there
asserting itself. except ours. Fortunes were
being built up for people of all nations ex-
cept ours, and yet this was an ocean bound
republic. Every ripple of the waters on the
sea shore was an invitation to enjoy the
wealth Of foreigh nations, and every stormy
wave-beat on the crags spoke in laundering de-
nunciation of a policy hat would lock Amer.
lea out of the market. Loud applause. Goo
speed the day when Divine thought, mans
brotherhood TO manhood, would succeed in
degrading and humiliating our nationalist
ton and foreign exclusion.
What was the effect of this ruinous system
on the farmer? 1t increased the price of all
articles which entered into his daily consump-
ton, and this increase amounted annually to
900. For this there was absolutely
compensation in the protective system.
system operated to increase the price of
transportation Of grain from the west to the
seaboard, and from the seaboard to Europe.
When the grain of the American farmer
reached Liverpool, it came in competition
with the grain Of every other farmer In the
world. The protective tariff Of America was
unable to help him there. and every dollar in
crease in price which the transportation &C.
casioned to him, diminished the profits Of his
sales. But the protective tariff did more in
jury to the farmer than the injury it OCCASION
ed his foreign market. It had already robbed
America of One-half of the markets of the
India now furnished England with
wheat. The effect Of this on the markets of
the United States the last nine months had
been q decrease in the exports of American
wheat had gone down in Chicago to less than
30 cents, and this development of wheat pro-
.uction in India was entirely the result Of the
protective policy in America.
l say, continued he, farmers of America,
the prospect before you is not encouraging
now with the elevators, grsneries and ware
houses all full Of the old crop unsold, with
vast fields greening to the coming harvest,
with the crop unexcelled in India, with
splendid promise among all wheat growing
nations, and with the price Of wheat less than
80 cents. The result will be inevitable, that
the price of wheat before January next will
not pay the price of production, and the corn
raised on the western prairies will again be
burned for fuel. In that day farmers will be
beggars in the midst of their own plenty;
.neighbors beside their own gathered golden
sheayes. There is absolutely no relief ex-
cept making foreign markets for agriculture.
He went on to argue that the effect of the
system is not beneficial to the manufacturing
interests, but on the contrary was detrimental
to them, in that it prevented them from Sc.
AID raw luutCIluIs Ous IL L COulu pOUuu
Into the brain of the manufacturers of Amer
lea one SENTENCE he burst forth, sit would
be this; turn from this constant introspec-
ton to the nations of the world. Down with
the walls and to the sea. There are -, 00O.-
600 900 people who want to buy what you
make. Rise up to the truth of the great
thought that these immense peoples can be
supplied by you with all the instruments of
husbandry and tools of craftsmanship. But they
will not take your goods unless you take
theirs. Let your tariff disappear, and then,
0, manufacturer, your attention will be
rivalries of foreign trade in which q wealth
will come to you of which you do not dream
to-day. lApplause.l He then discussed the
tariff question as affecting the rates of wages
for labor, declaring that SO far as labor was
concerned, the fruits of protection were want.
perjury and starvatiOn-those were Jewels in
its crown. He wished the working men
would cease to believe in the delusi0n that
protection was a help to them. It came in
the guise of a friend, but was really q mortal
foe. Its hand was lifted in the attitude OF
benediction. but was really raised to curse.
1t never would permit labor to have the full
share to which il was entitled to the profits
of capital. If employers had not the wisdom
to learn the truth, he hoped this agitation
would enlighten the workers and that they
ness to the natural laws of trade.
MIR. Hurd Went on to give the reason why
he supported the pending bill. n in the
course of his remarks asked if there was any
thing in the Morrison bill Inconsistent with
the Ohio platform.
l will answer, yes, INTERCEPTED Mr.. Warner
of Ohio.
Mr.. Hurd-I had hoped no democrat on the
floor Of the house would ever say there wa,
q democratic platform which would not ell.
able the people to take off the war taxes o
twenty-five years ago. Loud applause OF
democratic side.T And if that be the mean
ing. gentlemen, then T say here and now,
shall appeal to the gallant democracy Of m
native state to repudiate the heresy of tha
platform, and 1 have no fear of the result
that it will place itself where it ought to be
close to the great national hearts of the dem
ocrats of the nation. Renewed applause.
In the glorious result of the struggle to come
l am sure that this protective grand robber,
and eXtortion will disappear from the land
never again to offend America or darken he
lair face with its shadow. [Applause.l