Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-09-16
Tariff Talk.


topic. A tariff is Il table of duties,
or customs, on goods exported and
imported
Under this definition we propose
to define in a simple form our idea
of the nature and effect of protec-
tive tariff. as tending TO foster aud
promote our own industry in all It's
forms. A tariff founded on constl-
tutionaI authority, wisely modified
by all the necessities of the country
to which it can apply, is measure
that ca0not be successfully assalled.
In the first place, some system OF
taxation must exist for the support
of government, and none has ever
been devised so faultless, or so fit as
this Under Its operation taxes are
levied upon the people by their own
voluntary action, and thus, by an
invisible and unfelt agency, the gov
eminent expenses are provided for
at cost of collection estimated on
reliable authority as less than one
fifth of the expenses incurred by "A
system of direct taxation Thus it
will be seen that what is paid, is paid
with the greatest possible conyen
fence TO the citizen, and the amount
is much less than il would have been
under any other system Of revenue
collection. These premises are
wholly admissible, and therefore
beyond the reach Of cayil, or mate
rial objection; and if true, which
none can deny, there can be but one
rational opinion as to the expediency
and sound financial policy Of the
tariff system. Another cogent rea-
son for tariff is the direct pecuuiary
advantage gained through its opera.
ton This eau be easily seen in
making foreign countries in their
commercial relations with US actually
and substantially available for por-
ton of our revenue. Let us see how
this is effected. Suppose the rev
enue necessary for the support of
the government Of the United States
to be equal 10 $250,0Oo,0O0, cost Of
collection included, this sum must
be raised in one Of TWO WAYS, that
is, by direct taxation, or by laying
duties on foreign commerce, called
in diplomacy carte Of commerce,
or tariff; II by direct taxation, then
il is morally certain the government
will cost the people that sum of
$25o,000, 900, precisely; if by n tariff
system, then, in this case. foreign
countries will necessarily contribute
part of the amount. Now. let Us
see by what process, keeping IN mind
that $25O,000,u00 are to be raised
Let us suppose, for the sake of al
gumcnt, that we are launched ont
into free trade, as q matter Of course
without a tariff, and that foreign
goods could be bought in our mar
kets at certain rates, at reduced
prices if you please; for the time
being, you must recollect, the people
pay the whole 5O,0OO,000, ana buy
the goods at the rates that may be
in the markets Suppose now, that
subsequently it is thought fit and
proper for the government to levy q
tariff Of twenty per cent. on all for
eign goods sold in our markets; and
which duty would exactly meet the
expenses of government to the entire
relief of the people from direct tax
aticu. In this case, and by the ope-
ration of settled law of trade, the
duty Of twenty per cent. levied upon
the foreign goods in our markets
would not be added to the price
which our citizens would be required
10 pay for them, but some smaller
amOuut.
Now, in cs much as the twenty
per cent. above the previous cost
would be divided between the seller
and the purchaser, the seller losing,
n may be, five per cent, and the
purchaser fifteen of the twenty per
cent, each party losing in his re
spectiye proportion, the purchaser
threefourths and the seller one.
fourth of the twenty per cent, which
IN the aggregate makes up the $3.50,
100000, 1t is quite plain and obvious
that the citizens of the country pay
the three-fourthS of this amount and
the foreign countries one-tourtn.
which is clear gain to the country
10y the transactions Perhaps some
will say, Notwithstanding TINS APP.
parent advantages to the country
which this estimate exhibits, this
apparent gain is rebutted by the re.
straint placed on commerce. This
position is not sound, Letus exam
inc and see. The facts are these.
Duties are laid ON imported goods
1T twenty per cent. to cover revenue.
10 obtain this amount the country
pays fifteen per cent. more for the
price of its goods, and this is the
measure of the restraint ON com
merce. Strike a balance and the
country is benefited hy the transac.