Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-04-30

With the knowledge OF his position on
the tariff question, Mr.. Buchanan received
the nomination Of the Democratic party
and was elected. In his inaugural, March,
1857, the President said:
1t Is beyond all question the true princi-
pie that no more revenue oughtto be col.
lected from the people than the amount
wise, economical and efficient admins.
tration Of the government. To reach
| this point il was necessary TO resort 10
modification of the tariff, and this has,
| trust been accomplished in such manner
as to do a little injury e may be prscti.
lscnbie 10 our domestic manufactures, es-
pecialiy those necessary to the de.
tense of the country. Any discrimination
against particular branch for the purpose
OF benefting favored corporations, indiyid.
usls or interests, would have been unjust
TO the rest of the community and incon.
sistent with that spirit OF fsirness and
| equality which ought to govern In the
adjustment OF a revenue tariff.
Mr.. Buchanan was the last Democratic
President up TO the present time, and II is
| thus seen that all the Presidents elected
by the Democracy or who, before the estab-
lishmeRt OF the Democratic party were
controlled by the broad constitutional and
| patriotic principles on which the Demo.
| cratic party is founded, favored such tariff
| duties as the revenues needed for the sup.
| port OF the Government warrant, so framed
end imposed as TO afford the most equal
and just protection to home industry.
What the History OF ariT Legislation
shows.
The history Of tariff legislation estab-
fishes the position Of the Democracy on
| the question. 1t also proves that at no
period has the issue between extreme pro.
lection without regard to the requirements
OF revenue, and protection incidental to
the proposition of duties necessary TO pro-
vide revenue, been distinct
party issue between the two
great political divisions. Interests
| and sections have drawn men to one side
| or the other without reference 70 party
lines. Whig and Democratic politicians In
former days, like Democratic and Rspubli.
can politicians in the present day, have
taken their positions in accordance with
the popularity OF extreme protection or IN.
cidentsl protection among their immediate
constituents. In every tariff that has been
adopted the political parties have, been
more or less divided in their own house
holds.
In 1889 it became the pressing necessity
OF Congress to provide means TO csrry on
the government. Madison proposed tariii
bill in which specific duties were imposed
on certain articles OF general consumption,
and on other imports an cd valorem duty OF
per cent Hamilton favored an al vasorem
duty on all imports. 1t soon beanie evil
dent that there was to be general struggle
on the part of different Interests &c Sc
cure the greatest advantage from the tar
i'll. Frohibitory duties were proposed on a
| variety OF articles, which q free trade ele
ment was found among those engaged in
commerce, mainly in the New England
States. But while the discussion was going
on petitions flowed freely into Congress in
favor of a revenue system, the OBJECT OF
which should be 10 foster domestic intus
Try while supplying the wants OF the gov
eminent.
Finally Congress adopted law which
recognized the principle OF a tariff for rev
enue with incidental protection.
| The preamble of the tariff OF lIS9 de-
clared: Whereas, II Is necessary for the
support OF the Government. for the dis
charge of the debts of the United States,
snd the encouragement and protection OF
man ufactures, thst duties be laid on goods,
wares and merchandise imported" &c.
The law was to remain in force until 1913,
and the duties levied under II were specific
as we'll as ad valorem, and were estimated
10 be equivalent to an Sf per cent sd val
| orem rate. w
| The act OF 1889 contained 10 prohibitory
| duties, but says the Democratic Review IN
one OF its early papers, the idea of incl
dental protection that the necessary duties
would afford TO the manufacturers, started
into life during the war, was held out u
coupteract In some degree the popular
pre- judices against all taxation
| The men who were nearest 10 and par
takers in the establish mpnt Of the Govern
| a ent and the framing Of the Constitution
reCot nzed these two great principles,
That the taxation Of the people by du
lies levied on imports must, under the
Constitution, be for the purpose Of raising
r.ven ue for the support OF the Govern
| mtnt, and
That in raising such revenue IL Is con
stitu,iohal and expsdtent TO 20 syerage the
,1EtIop OF imports as to afford incidental
prote ciion 10 home Industries.
| In 1890, tho population OF the Unitcd
| states was 3,g29!2l4 The nstional debt WAS
bout S75 600 900 TIE total tonnage Of our
merchant marine was AS 81 tons.
Pf.her Ames and the FIRST Tariff
When the first tariff bill vss enac!ed
very few people in the United States were
engaged in manufactures. The employ
nent for labor was in agricultural pur
suits Fisher Ames, a man Of great pFac
teal wisdom and high literary ability
made a striking speech in the tariff de
bate. He said:
From the different situation oil The
manufacturers in Europe and America en-
| cOursgement is necessary. In Europe the
artisan is driven 10 labor for his bread
Stern Necessity, with her iron rod. compeli
mis- exerlion. In America invitation and
| commencement are needed. Withoul
| them. the infant manufacturer droops and
those who might be employed in 1t sees
With success competency from our cheap
Y and fertile soil.
against protection. II we are an Sgricui
tIIral country, they asked, why not lc
| labor seek it's reward sin the soiIY but TN
sgricuIturslists were not free traders. TneJ
| uud. rstood that the encouragement o
| mar pnfactuiers, by furnishing another hslC
Tor labor, would protect them from over
clovding and the cOnss q uent depression
wages.
Congress. the tsrln was revised and sddi
IiopsI duties impJsed 10 meet the ooligs
ions incurred by the assumption act sn'
other measures. Toe first tarih hsd oeer
tnccess and had greatly increased tn
ronfdepce of Congress in this source o
revenue. il hSd producsd IN thrteei
mon hs, to September SO. 1879. the sum
fi,tI0 coo. But there wss no thon2nI
,ts set Of increasing the duties except .,
Tsyenue act. The Government req quire'
more money, and ths policyof raising u ..
a revenue tariff pitn incidental protection
: had gained in POI ularity.
In 1872 the tariff sgain underwent revi'
. ion and ipersase 10 meet the necessities Q
r.y.nue. Considerable complaint was msd
=, ihe constant additions TO the burden
Of commerce, and such frequsnt change. Il
? the rate of duties. Bot the answer was sns
The revenues for the support OF the Coz
? synment must be raised in some msuneI
ard no better system could be devised ths
: | fne which Was steadily encouraging tn
. grgwih OF our home manuf.ctufes, an
promo.ing The industry, wealth and sal
stsntisi Independence OF the country.
+ me duiies levied under the hrss tari
= had betn eauiyrlent TO an ad yslorem dnt
> fsL ner esnt Under the second tasi