The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-01-24
THE TARIFF.
Address OF Hon. =. }. Woodman


The following is that portion of the
address of Hon. j. J. Woodman, de-
livered before the National Grange
in Washington, relative to the tariff,
and its relation to agriculture and
wool growing.
The following resolutionwas adopt
ed by the body at the last annual
session:
''ResolUed, That all discussions re-
lating to the tariff, as a question Of
political economy, are legitimate
questions, and we recommend that
such an investigation and discussion
of those matters be made as will fur
nish our members with more intel
igent consideration of a subject
which involves the vital interests of
the agriculturist, and that all such
discussions must be without partisan
political bias"
Quite an animated discussion, not
only in the Subordinate or County
Oranges, but at public meetings and
through the Grange press, has fol-
lowed this action; and it is crafty
ing to know that they have been,
generally, conducted in a fraternal
spirit, and as free from partisan bias
as could have been expected. / am
confident that no injury to the work
OF our Order has resulted from this
act of the National Grange; and in
view of the fact that since that meet
ing, Congress has so amended the
tariff laws, as to seriously injure if
not entirely ruin one of the most i'm
portant agricultural industries of our
country; | regard it as fortunate in
deed, that this recommendation was
made. ! make no apology, therefore,
in calling your attention to this sub
Jet.
BY our tariff laws, a tax or duty is
levied upon the products of other
countries, imported into this, from
which the revenues of the govern
ment are mainly derived. As a gem
eral proposition, this tax upon foreign
products, coming into the market of
this country in competition with its
products, must be in some degree
protective to the latter, and conse-
quently enhances their masl<et value.
This additional cost is paid by the
consumer, in lieu of other taxes for
the support of the government. This
system for providing revenue, is prac-
ticed by all civilized and progressive
nations.
Free trade would abolish all tariff
laws, custom houses. and officers, and
allow all other nations to sell their
products in our market, without re-
striction. This would be giving to
other nations, privileges not granted
to US; and would take from the rev.
enue of the government, three ffths
of the gross receipts. To supply this
deficit would necessitate direct an
nual tax upon the property of the
people, amounting in the aggregate
TO 1920 per capita of our entire pop
ulation, exclusive of the expense of
assessing and collecting the same.
AS it has been officially estimated
that ninety per cent. of the personal
property of the country escapes tax
alton, this burden would fall heavily
upon farmers who own most of the
real and personal estate, which can
not be screened from the assessors
eye. For these reasons if no other,
farmers are not likely to become adj
vocates of absolute "Free Trade"
But few intelligent citizens among
us seriously entertain such ideas
. Nearly all concede that we must
have ''Tarilf for Revenue Hence,
the term "Free Trade" as used in
our American politics is misnomer
The Government must have rev.
enue, and to obtain it without impos