The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-08-13
THE FARMER AND THK TARIFF.


Starting out with the undeniable propo-
sition that tariff means taxation, we have
an indestructible basis for argument.
High tariff means high tax Loo tariff, tow
tax.
The Republican party tells the farmer that
high tariff, which means high tax, is for
his benefit, and that low tariff, which means
low tax, if it should be adopted, would prove
his ruin.
We state the case fairly. The Republican
party favors policy which forces upon the
farmer high taxation. The Democratic
party champions policy which reduces tax
alton to the lowest point consistent with an
honest, economical administration of the
Government.
It becomes important in the discussion of
all fiscal questions, to begin at the beginning
to find bottom facts.
Farmers are necessarily conservative, prac-
teal, matterof-fact men. They dig for their
dollars and pillow for their profits. When a
man or party says to them that high taxa
ton is necessary to their prosperity they
will not believe il unless the person or party
making the declaration brings forward in
controyertible proof. Illustrations are at
hand. We will suppose that Farmer A is
taxed 500. This he regards as the limit of
his ability. But he is told if his tax
is doubled, and he is required to pay
$500 annually his property will be cores
pondingly enhanced. Manifestly, Farmer
A will demand the proof. He will inquire
in what way he is to be benefited. us the
value of my farm to be increasedl Am to
receive higher prices for any of its products2
What is to be done with the additional 500
taxes? Does the county, the State, the Ma
ton stand in need of the money? Let me
have the facts-all of them-state the case
clearly. 1 do not want subterfuges and
sophisms." The Republican party never
did and never will give the farmers honest
answers TO their inquiries. 1t never
did and never will state the facts.
1t begings with the worn out
yawp about 'pauper labor" in Europe
insisting that unless the farmers pay price
and a half for everything they buy the
country will be flooded with "pauper labor"
or the products of "pauper labor" and will
at once start on a downward road to ruin.
But" says Farmer A, you tell me this
pauper labor, about which you complain SO
Justify, is in England. Last year l raised
1000 bushels of wheat. of which $50 bushels,
my surplus after supplying the home mar
ket, went to England to feed its 'pauper
laber,' and the price of my entire crop was
fixed in England and was compelled to ac-
cept it. While 1 was required to accept
English prices for my wheat, 1 was debarred
the privilege of paving English prices
for such articles as l had to pur-
chase for my farm. Your high tar
lit tax operated to my disadvantage.
Will you please explain in what way am
benefited by the high taxation which the
Republican party says is conducive to my
welfare?n
No Republican ever did tell the truth
when replying to such questions. 1t is well
said by a writer that. while the products Of
the farm are virtually not protected at all.
the farmer finds himself compelled to pay
an increased price by reason of protective
tariff for sll the goods that he buys, while
his farm products cost him more than for
merly by reason of high taxation and
kindred causes. The increase in the price
of the products he sells does not keep pace
with the price of those he buys. While the
price of the latter are increased by tariff tax
alton the products of his farm are not, and
this excessive taxation, which does the
farmer no good, enables the Government to
collect annually SlOO,OOo,OOO for which it
has no legitimate use, and which is, there
the Republican party champions and is de-
termined to perpetuate.