Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-04-15
FaIlacies Exposed.

Representative Mckinley has rendered
an excellent service to the cause of pro-
lection in general, and especially to the
farming interests, by exposing the fall
lacies, Inconsistencies and misrepresen-
tations embraced in the majority report
which accompanies the Morrison-Hew
lit Tariff bill.
The minority report 6rst disposes of
the assumption that because there has
recently been a relatively high percent
age in the average ad valorem rates OF
duties, therefore reduction is demand
ed The fallacy upon which this arga-
msnt is based is clearly exposed, and the
minority of the committee direct atten-
tion to the important fact that no at
tempt is made in the bill to equalize the
duties on imported goods on any just
principle, or to make equitable reduc-
tions throughout the tariff list. Many
articles dutiable 1T the highest rates are
left untouched, while others bearing a
duty of from 10 to 90 per cent. are cut
down or transferred to the free list.
The most significant statement con =
tained in the minority report is, that the
new Dill is peculiarly an assault upon
the agricultural interests, and that it has
been made without due notice to those
whose interests are thus placed in jeop>
zrdy. Those industries sought to be af-
fected by the original bill were given an
opportunity to make successful de-
fense, but the unorganized farming in
terests have been suddenly assailed and
are to be made the first victims of the
free trade policy.
There is a marked and glaring incon-
sistency in the argument of the majori>
ty in faver of free wool. 1t is admitted
that "the price of wool has been down
ward for many years." and that lit de-
clinsd when the tax was highest and
protection greatest" The conclusion is
drawn that the tax imposed by The tar
iff has mot promoted the growth Of
sheep husbandry, and it is proposed to
withdraw it." Against this argument
we have the statement of the minority
that the number of sheep in the country
increased from 100000 to in 1860 to
5O,6U0,0O0 in 1883. and that the clip in
creased from 60,2O0.0OO pounds in the
former years to $4,000, 900 in the latter
There is the further fact that, although
the pretext for placing wool on the free
list Is to lessen its cost to the manufac-
turers, the price bias actually fallen from
81 cents in 1867 until it is now so low as
to be temporarily uBprotitable-an
these reductions have been in face of
the fact that under the high tariff duties
of 1867 American woods have been stead
lily improved in quality until they are
now the best in the world. The prope
sition of the majority, then, is simply to
strike death-blow at the great industry
for the benefit, not of American manu>
facturers and mechanics. bat to give a
monopoly of sheep husbandry to those
foreign countries in which wool can be
produced with less labor and expense,
and to enrich few who are engaged in
importing it.
All who are interested in the protec-
tive system, and especially those engag-
ed upon the farm, should study these re-
ports carefully and watch the action of
their representatives in Congress upon
this iniquitous and anti American Tar
if biiL-Pitts. Com. Gazette.