Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1884-03-20

every article Of foreign import indis-
criminately, and without examination
of its effect upon particular industries,
and wholly ignoring its necessary
effect in advancing prices abroad by
the destruction of competition at home.
While nominally it is uniform reduc-
tion. in fact it is grossly unequal under
the limitations Of the bill, and it will
be found difficult il not impracticablc
of execution 1t is leap in the dark.
6. That feature of the bill which APP
plies nd yalOrem duties to most sched-
ulcs affected by il is especially object
ionalflc. because it will greatly in
crease the existing evil of undervalua-
ton and consequent frauds upon the
revenue, as well as so cOmplicate the
assessment Of duties rs to greatly en-
barraSs the administration Of the law.
Against the statement of the majority
as to the effect Of protective duties
upon the wages and ON the laboring
poor, is the statement of workmcn
themselves before the committee.
All unite in declaring that protective
duties are essential to fair and remu-
ncrativc wages, and that every reduc-
tion of said duties inevitably results in
lowering the standard of American
wages. We dissent radically from the
statement of the majority of the com
mittcc that reduction of duties light
ems by 50 much the burdens of taNa-
ton The whole history Of our nat
tional experience shows constantly
decreasing price as the effect of in
creased home competition. \ rcduc-
tion of duties which destroys produc-
tion and competition rs inevitably re-
suits in putting up prices demanded
by our foreign rivals. In the belief
that the late tariff Legislation would
remain without material change for Il
period of years business has adjusted
itself to ii. Producers have entered
into contracts and generally arranged
their business in character and volume.
TIE PRESENT LAW.
In conformity with it ;ill classes Of
our people have relied on its reasop-
able pCrmancncc and freedom from i'm
mediate and radical changes, so that
every consideration appeals 10 congress
to LEI the present law alone and permit
the business OF the country to proceed
without legislative disturbance. What
the country wants most is relief from
congressional agitation. All the in
duStricS OF the country are extremely
sensitive, and jast at this time, when
business is more or less depressed in
every branch thercat, fear of change
introduces an element of uncertainty
and disturbance throughout the coun-
try, the evil effects of which no one
can forcScc, 4 20 per cent reduction,
or any reduction however slight, fol-
lowing so close upon the reductions
made last winter, can not be defended,
as to Il single schedule tariff and us TO
many, it can be shown to be wholly
disastrous. We believe il after Il suf-
ticicnt trial of the effect of the last re-
vision it Shallappcar that the industrial
interests of the country may be main
tanned with it, and that the condition
of the treasury will Justify further re-
vision, such action will be more wisely
undertaken bv the friends of the pro
tcctivc system, and with less dis
turbancc to public prosperity than if
done now by avOwcd advocates of the
destruction of the American system of
protection
(Signcd WV. u. KELLY.
JOHN A. KASSON,
WV. MCKINLEY, JR.,
W. A. RUSSELL.
FRANK liISCOCK