Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-21
American Industries.

The Republican papers are beginning
to appreciate the loss they sustained
when the agents OF their party were
turned out of the consular service. IL
seemed to be the principal duty OF these
agents TO collect and manufacture statis-
teal and other Information which could
be used in compiling the campaign lit
eratura of the Department of State. OF
course everything that could be So pre-
sented as to sustain specious arguments
in favor OF protection tor American man.
ufacturers was published at the expense
of the government, while everything that
would tend to weaken these arguments
was carefully suppressed.
1t is gratifying to know that the new
consular agents OF the government are
not the tools OF the Republican party, and
that their reports do not give satisfaction
or encouragement to the party organs.
What the people OF this country want to
know, the laboring men especially, is,
the truth about the rates of wages and
cost of living, together with the hours and
efficiency of labor, not only in free trade
England, but in those countries in Europe
the trade of the world, and "enjoy" the
alleged beneficent effects OF high tariff
laws.
Partisan reports, such as have been too
common under Republican administra-
tions, are not wanted. 1t Is the mission
OF the Democracy to solve, on the princi-
pie of the greatest good to the greatest
han ION NJ
the day. 1t is its object to reduce as rap
idly as possible the burdens of the people
without doing hurt to any special indus
try. 1t does not admit that a mere re-
duction of excessive profits, which are
wrung out of the people Of the country
under the war tariff system, is doing in
justice to, or is discriminating agains
American industries.
In order to solve the problem without
any risk Of making mistake correct in
torma alton must be had. Much infOrma-
ton of the kind wanted has already been
received, and it goes to show that the
tariff can be reduced and many articles
now charged duties put on the free list
without detriment to American indus
and reform OF the tariff as proposed by
the Democratic party will result in i'm
mense good to the country at large by
relieving the people of burdens which
are LAID on them for the benefit of the
favored classes.
The opinion strengthens every day that
tariff reduction to a revenue basis is inev-
ffah ic I'm do al In
principle that the government has no
right to collect more taxes than are neces-
sary for its support under an economical
administration. OF course it Is expected
that these revenue taxes shall b9 dis
creetly adjusted so as to benefit as much
as possible legitimate American indus
tries-agricultnral as well as mechanical.
Speaker Carlisle's recent utterance on
the subject OF tariff reduction Ia worthy
OF careful perusal. He says: "There is
now only about $40, 100000 of the public
debt which the government has right TO
pay at its face. and nearly all the bonds
representing this Indebtedness are held
by the national banks. In less than two
years this Indebtedness will be fully dis
1891, when $3.50, 100000 of AZ per cents
will be payable. During the interval be-
tween the payment of the 3per cents now
outstanding and the maturity of the Az
per cents, unless the revenue is reduced
or is used to purchase the obligations of
the government at high premium, an
enormous surplus must accumulate in
the Treasury-such an amount as
would paralyze the business of the coun-
try if boarded and left out Of the channels
of trade. l am very strongly of the opin-
ion. therefore, that when the debt which
is now PAYABLE has been fully discharged,
if not before that time, the people Of the
country will demand reduction of the
revenue. The reduction will come upon
the tariff, and not upon internal revenue,
for it is PLAIN to my mind that no political
party Of ttls country can afford to take
the position that whisky and tobacco and
beer shall be free while tax remains
upon the peoples clothing and imple-
ments Of trade. People won't stand it,"