Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-02-20
SHERMAN'S TARIFF VIEWS.
He Thinks Congress Ought to Let the Mat
ter Severely Alone.

He Thinks Congress Ought to Let the Mat.
ter Severely Alone.
New YORK, February 14.-The Mail
and Express will print, this afternoon,
an interview with Senator Sherman on
proposed tariff legislation, from which
the following synopsis is made:
In reply to the question as to the coming &C.
lion of congress- he said he did not believe the
result could be more than guessed at. In tariff
discussion, IL is the unexpected that always hap
pens; but I can tell you first what congress
ought to do and that is, to let the subject
severely alone during the present term. There
is no question but that the business interests
Of the country generally were somewhat injured
BIZ the passage of the last tariff but more so
by the sensitive, uncertain state of the money
market. While the revenue law of last winter
gave great relief in reducing taxes yet it was
very injurious to the iron and wooden
suffered severely through the operation
of last years bill. While it was true that the
wool growers had suffered severely, yet the
full effect of the recent law was not yet known.
1t would be very unwlse, by any fresh disturb
ance of the tariff, to prevent the country from
finding out the whole effect of the last law.
Besides, congress is in no condition to pass
harmonious and well considered tariff law.
Not only are the two houses not harmony with
each other, but there are differences of opinion
among members of the same party in the same
house. He said a proper tariff law could only
be made when one party has the power and re-
sponsibility. In the present congress the re-
sponsbility would be divided between demo-
cratic house and a republican senate
and executive. Even if another tariff
should become law, the people
would not know whom to hold accountable
1t was probable that hereafter party lines
would be drawn on finance questions and he
thought IL would be a happy day for this
country when this was the case. so that popu-
lar opinion could fairly decide for or against
protection duties. That the republican party
has been from the beginning and is in favor of
such protection duties with view to diversity. our
industries, is shown by the laws it has enacted
for twenty-four years past. 1t is almost GER
tain that were the Democratic party in power
it would take ground against all systems OF
protection, and frame laws simply with view
to revenue. l believe when this issue Is made
q portion of the south will favor pro-
lection duties and portions of the east
will be for free trade. He said he
had observed a growing feeling in certain states
In favor of free raw materials, but did not be-
lieve this would stand the ordeal of q popular
election. Protective duties must extend to all
forms of labor and need not extend to capital,
which is at this period almost as cheap
always thought development of raw
materials one of the chief objects of
protective laws, as that when raw materials
are judiciously developed, manufacturers will
inevitably follow. However, he did not think
any industry which cannot be reasonably ex-
pected in the lapse of time to be self-sustain-
ing, should be protected. The consumer
should get the full benefit of pro-
lection by cheapening home productions,
which will follow from home competition.
Productions of the farm win have the advan-
tage of the home market, caused by the diver
sity of employment. He expressed.the opinion
that free trade, as advocated by some college
professors and political theorists, would be
utterly destructive to business interests and
would produce the same stagnation in the trade
and financial ruin that followed the tendency to
free trade in 1887 and 1857. What we want,
said Senator Sherman, in conclusion, is a sys-
tenn of protection duties moderate in degree
but stable and certain. This last is the great
point and one which should obtain considera-
ton. Then we want marked changes in our
commercial laws TO encourage American ship
building and commerce on the high seas.