The Portland daily press., 1884-04-21
The Argus and the Tariff

The tariff editorials-it would hardly be
just to the English language to call them
discussions--which appear from time to time
in the Argus will afford considerable amuse-
ment to any one who attempts to analyze
their statements with view to discovering
whether there is any logical force In them.
For example, on Saturday there was one in
which an effort was made to show that the
Republican party is guilty of insincerity in
opposing the Morrison bill. The argument
of the article is in two parts. The first part
runs like this. A year ago the Republicans
were saying that duties were too high AMI
ought to be reduced from twenty to twenty
five per cent, and passed bill intended to
effect land which did effect about such a
reduction of rates. AS result of that
measure, it appears that the aggregate of
duties likely to be collected during the first
financial year under the new rates will show
falling off of only from to 10 per cent of
the aggregate under the old rates. The Nor
rison bill proposes to still further reduce the
import duties with the avowed object of re-
ducing the aggregate revenue from this
source 20 per cent, and the Argus would
have it thought that Republicans who oppose
this step convict themselves of having been
insincere last year.
Let us look into this. The Republicans
favored reducing the tariff as much as could
Se sivHvrafciy WITHOUT urippling tho the great
manufacturing interests of the country upon
the prosperity of which millions of citizens
depend for their livelihood. After careful
investigation new and vastly improved
tariff scheme was devised involving reduc-
ton of. it was thought, about 20 or 25 per
cent in duties, which was as much as the
manufacturing interests could stand. It
turns ont in the operation of the law, not
that duties have not been reduced as much
as contemplated, but that, owing in part to
increased importations, and in part to the
greater certainty and efficiency of collections
under the new law, the aggregate sum re-
ceiyed for duties this year will be only about
five per cent less than the aggregate received
last year. The lowering of duties has re-
duced the profits of American manufactur-
ers, and the wages of American working
men, but it has not reduced in the same
proportion the surplus of revenue, because
1t has stimulated importation, condition
which in connection with lessened demand
for our agricultural products has turned the
balance of trade against us. ON account of
which we are now exporting gold.
In the face of this situation Mr.. Morrison
presents his bill for a further reduction of
the tariff, the reduction being gauged. not
by the condition of American industries, but
by the amount of the revenue. The sapient
revenue reformers of the Democratic party
and the confused Argus reason that because
the aggregate annual revenue is reduced but
8 per cent. the tariff rates were reduced but
5 per cent. and therefore that those who fa-
vered reduction of rates. supposed to be a
reduction of 25 per cent, cannot consist
emily oppose further reduction of 20 per
cent. because the gross revenues may safely
be reduced so much.
This is Democratic logic and statesman
ship. The tariff rates were reduced in the
last Congress by Republicans votes as much
as could safely be done with reference to the
prosperity of our great producing interests,
and Republicans are unwilling to make an
other attack on their prosperity. They know
that the reasoning is fallacious and dishon-
est which represents that because the gross
revenues from imports have decreased but
per cent, the tariff rates were only reduced
B per cent, and they know that the further
reduction Of rates now proposed by the Nor
rison bill will operate destructively on the
manufacturing interests of the country and
tend to the impoverishment both of the cap
italists who have established great indus
tries and of their workmen; while very like
ly it would not reduce the gross revenues as
expected. Mr.. Hewitt said explicitly in the
House that he doubted whether the revenue
10 enable the foreign manufacturer to under
sell the American manufacturer in this
market. More goods will be sent to this
market, and the gross revenues even at
lower rate of duty will be nearly or quite
equal to those at present
The other point the Argus tries to make
is that the Republicans are insincere be-
cause while representing that the tariff agi-
tation will injure the Democratic party, they
nevertheless oppose consideration of the
subject. Your thoroughbred Democrat
can not conceive that anbody ever acts from
higher motive than partisan one. For
years the Democratic party has adopted pol
icies and abandoned them, supported candi
dates and rejected them, with entire disre-
gard of the moral or patriotic conditions
of the case and solely with view to
the supposed temporary advantage of the
party. The position of the Republican par
ty on the tariff bill is taken with reference
to the disastrous effect agitation of
the question will have on the business
of the country. Knowing the damage the
contemplated action of the Democratic
party will occasion, it stands as the defend
er of American industry and American
labor. There is no question but that the
Democratic party will lose and the Republi-
can party will gain by this agitation, but
not for the possible party advantage the Re-
publicans expect to reap from Democratic
folly will they help precipitate a condition
which causes needless unrest and peril to
the great interests which require stability
and fostering. The Republican party is not
SO regardless of the public welfare as to be
willing for selfish reason to give the Demo
cratic party opportunity to do all the mis-
chief it wants to do.
RT.-4~