The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-08-19
OUR FARM BUDGET.
Farmers and Tariff Laws--Sow Field Of Rye
Old Asparagus Beds.
An EnsiIage Experiment. Gapes-Poultr,
HOuses-Currant and Wire Worm
Household Hints-Kitchen Wrin-
kIes-Farm Notes.
Our Farmers and Tariff Wars.

Do our farmers realize how savagely hos
tile tariffs cut into their profits and pockets
in the matter of hog products? The total
value OF the hogs slaughtered in the United
States in 1850, excluding all those killed for
retail purposes in ordinary butchering estab-
lishments, amounted to S156,6S0,sSI. The
Importance of this branch of agricultural
production becomes more apparent when it
is compared with the value of the wool pro-
duced, which does not exceed S65, OOO, 900.
Some four years ago the French Govern
ment issued a decree prohibiting the impor-
tatiOn of any American pork into France
The effect of this decree was at once appar-
eat. In the year 1850 the shipments of pork
and dried salted meats from this country to
France amounted to 81, 96j, $50 pounds. The
next year, 1881, being the last one such i'm
portation was permitted, the shipments ag-
sregated so, O02, 500 pounds. Now comes the
effect Of the retaliatOry commercial policy of
France upon our pork trade. In 1882, the
first year the attempt to pay us off in our
own coin went into operation, our shipments
ell to 5,G07, SS5 pounds-a loss of nearly
"a, 600 pounds in one year. Last year the
shipments amounted to 2.949, 800 pounds
against over 10000 600 pounds in 1881.
In Germany we have similar results. Bis
marck, having entered upon true-blue pro-
fectionist policy, prohibited the admission of
American pork into the Empire. In 1881 we
sent over 43,OO0,OOO pounds to Germany. In
1889, the first year of the new Bismarckian
policy, our exports were less than 5000, 900
pounds, and last year less than 3, 100000
pounds. Here we have, in consequence of
the determination of the French and Ger
man Governments TO punish this country for
It's protective and prohibitory tariff policy, a
cutting off of markets for 100, O00, 900 pounds
of American pork annually. When we con-
slider that this was between one-eighth and
one-ninth of the total number of pounds of
pork salted in the United States, is it any
wonder that mess pork is now selling in Chi
cago at a trihe over SO barrel?
The figures given herein are taken from the
report Of the Bureau of Statistics prepared by
the late Republican administration. But it
may be said that the motive controlling
those governments in excluding American
pork is not hostility engendered by our tariff.
Get US see. an a report Issued by the CHAM
Der of Commerce of Nantes, France, the year
before the French decree against our DOR,
was promulgated on the Subject OF trade in
~Sardfnes we find the following retaliatory
tariff language used: This industry de-
mands that when the Americans strike our
Orem, and go with their salmon and other
preserved FISH to compete with our products,
even TO Australia, we should strike their
products with an equal duty on their entry
into France"
Again. Mr.. Thomas Wilson. United States
Consul at Nantes, in arepOrt TO our State De
partment written in 1882 the year the re-
taliatory degree against American pork went
into effect, says: Il find extending through
the business community, general and wide
spread dislike and opposition 10 the Amer
lean tariff far as it affects any article ex-
ported from France, and a disposition TO re-
tlaiaten
From Germany several of our Consuls
have reported that the manifest purpose of
Bismarck's policy in excluding American
from the Empire was protection and retalia-
ton.
But, so far as this country is concerned,
the evils and burdens of this "War of tariffs, -"
one of the Consuls characterizes it, fall
mainly upon our farmers. Our tariff
pampered manufacturers export SO few of
their products that the international tariff
affects them but slightly. Our farmers,
however, furnish the great bulk of our ex-
ports, and when foreign nation desires TO
pay rs off in our own coin for our trade
restricting tariff laws ii is sure 10 select. as
France and Germany have done, some i'm
pOrtant article or articles of export like hog
products, and apply the prohibitive policy
To them.
Because our exports are largely made up
of the products of the soil, and all tariff wars
between this country and other countries
our farmers must necessarily be the greatest
sufferers. Would il not be wise, then, as We
are the chief sinners in this regard, TO wipe
out all warning tariff enactments, and do that
much toward recognizing an international
brotherhood and inaugurating the era of
peace OH earth and goodwill among men ~