Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-01-17
Ohio Tariff Plank.

The New York Sun few days since
stated that the tariff plank in the Ohio
platform under which the Democrats
carried that State last fall, was vague
and might bear double construction
To this statement Congressman Warm
er takes exception, and, in the follow
ing clear and concise letter, shows
that, whatever exception may be taken
to the tariff section, it cannot be truth
fully said to mean any and everything:
1.-THE Ohio platform, in the first place,
limits the tariff to the necessities of
the Government economically ADMIN
istered." There is certainly no vague
ness there. Next, it explicitly lays
down the principle that, in the appli-
cation of the tariff, it shall be SO ad-
justed as to encourage productive in
dustries at home but not to create or
foster monopolies." Is there any
ground for double Interpretation
here? The difference between encour-
aging home industries and fostering
monopolies is very distinct. To Illus
trate: Suppose the actual difference
in the cost of producing steel rails in
this country and in England, as labor
and other things now stand adjusted,
to be $40 ton. Then tariff of $40
ton, by putting our own steel indus
tries on plane of equality in compet-
ing in our market with the foreign pro-
duet, would encourage the production
of steel rails at home. Twelve dollars
a ton would be more encouragement,
and it can be shown that when the
tariff is but slightly above the differ
ence in cost of production, the importer,
in order. to get into our market, will
cut down his own profits, and to that
extent he, and not the consumer, pays
the duty.
Now, if the tariff is not carried above,
or much above, the line that marks
the difference in cost of production,
there can be no monopoly. This,
think, is evident enough to anybody.
But If the actual difference in cost of
production is but SO. and the tariff
were made $50 a ton, then it would en-
able the Amalgated Steel Association
to combine and put the price of steel
rails to a point just under the import
ing price. That would be creating and
fostering monopoly; or, in other
words, lending the aid of legislation to
enable one class to levy charges upon
another. It can be shown, too, that
up to the point have indicated, labor
would derive the larger share of the
benefit arising from such tariff. But,
above that point, capital alone would
be benefited.
Hence, in the Ohio platform the diff
ference in the cost of producing COM
modities, as things at any given time
stand adjusted, is made the datum
line from whic!, to work in the adjust
mept of the tariff. and the guiding
principle laid down is encouragement
of "productive Industries at home, but
not to create or foster monopolies.n
This principle differs fundamentally
from that of "a tariff for re evenue only"
as it does from the "maximum reven-
ue principle" in the Walker tariff sys-
tenn.
The different principles, as variously
advocated, stated together are:
T. "a tariff for revenue only" that
cd VII fS,r
lie only, and without regard to conse-
quences, only that the required reven-
ue be produced. Such tariff may,
think, be fifty designated as a tariff
without intelligence, inasmuch as it
calls for no intelligence, and admits of
none in the application of tariff, ex-
cept what is necessary to bring in the
required amount of revenue.
IT. The maximum revenue principle.
The tari IF to be levied on nothing above
the point that will bring the greatest
revenue. This is known as the WalK-
er principle.
1T. A tariff SO adjusted in its appli-
dustries at home, but not to create
". A tariff for. protection, without
regard to revenue. /
The first and fourth principles are,
one the extreme view of some Demo-
Gratis and the other the extreme Repub-
1can view.
The difference between the second |
and third principle may not appear at I
first sight, and the two have esometimesi
been confounded, but tile difference is
very distinct.
The maximum revenue that can be |
derived from any imported article is
the greatest product obtainable by