Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-07-01
PROTECTIVE MEASURES.

Pennsylvania met at Harrisburg yester-
day, and amid grand flourish OF
trunpets, promulgated the following as
part OF tariff address which the con-
vention adopted as its views on that
trouble breeding question:
In ten years of free trade, ended in 1861
our imports exceeded our exports S40367,-
974. Under the operation of ten years of
protection, ended June 30, 1880, our exports
have exceeded our imports 81 ,3O6, ,5f3,249, an
annual average of $3.50, ,654, ,324 making
net gain in our favor of $170,000,000 n year.
Reference is then made TO the attempted
tariff legislation by the Democrats. Since
1875, when they obtained control of
the House, each of which is denounced as
dangerous attempts TO overthrow, the great
system which has built up the industries of
the country. In closing, attention is called
to the fact that Democrats are still deter
mined TO insist upon reductions of duties
and to abolish the tariff upon raw materials,
thus further menacing the prosperity of the
country.
A comparison is thus made between
the values of imports and exports, at
different periods, when the condition OF
the country was as unequal in the matter
Of producing as can well be imagined.
From 1850 to 1860, all the great New
North West had not been settled, and the
millions of acres OF land that now TEEN
with abundance were then wilderness,
AL immigration 1enteted in the Eastern
States and created demand greater
than the producing classes could supply,
hence the great difference in the relative
values OF imports and exports. In the
twenty years from 1860 to 1880 the
country was rejuvenated, or born again,
springing up from the lethargic condition
she occupied before, and with the
millions OF new people and her natural
increase, she extended her field of pro-
duction and consequently became the
producer for all the world as well as for
herself, hence the great increase OF ex-
ports over imports. The question OF pro.
lection or free trade had no significance
in the result, only natural causes and
superior resources being the means oi
changing the figures. The country is in
formed through this remarkable docu-
ment that the Democrats are still deter.
mined to insist upon the reduction o
duties and to abolish the tariff on raw
materials, and by way Of clinching the
point attempted to be made, it is added
"thus further menacing the prosperity
OF the country" In view of the fact
that the Treasury is glutted with money
and that the absolute necessaries Of life
are taxed to the utmost limit, and solely
to benefit the wealthy classes, while the
luxuries Of life, or rather the curses o.
life, are intended by them to be free and
without taxation, viz, spirits and tobacco
this is what may be called paradoxica
argument. To the close observer this
kind OF stuff will seem ridiculous, and bc
accepted only rs SO much necessary bile
in that State which more than any othel
is troubled with conflicting tariff opinions
Pig-Iron Kelly evidently had hand il
framing the address, as it bears his ear
marks throughout, and is OF a piece witt
the tariff rubbish regularly put forth by
that State and party for years.
, The local interests OF several States anc
Territories need protection and should
have it, especially where such interest:
form the sole means OF sustenance for the
people, as in the lead and copper produc
ing districts of the West and South, bu
many articles in the raw, from which
clothing is made, and the use OF which il
absolutely necessary to the poorer classes
, should be admitted at such rates as viii
, bring them within the means of the labor
ing classes. II larger revenue is needed
place heavier tax on spirits and to
bacco, and thereby curtail their power TO
, harm and swell the Treasury surplus a
the same time. Unconditional protection
or free trade are both inimcal to the bes
, interests of the American people, and
happy mean between them is what i
needed, and will be furnished by tn
/ Democratic party by the adopt on OF tn
! best features OF the Morrison and Randall
r bills. The committee to whom the latte
is confided has already killed the claus
exempting spirits and tobacco, and vii
use the pruning hook further to produc
n bill meeting the wishes OF all parts c
the country, having regard for loca
wants, and the high protection cry OF tn
Pennsylvania Republicans will then b
, made test for the people, and its soph
istries fully exposed. The men VIII
delve in our mines want protective tarii
for their product, but not for the materia
they wear, and so it is with other
throughout the country, consequent
either extreme is against the best inter
ests of the whole people and cannot b
successful. The Pennsylvania Republ
cans will learn his at the polls this time