The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-01-28
A Few Thoughts on the Tariff Cues
ton.
JANUARY goth, 1888.

for sometime past, upon the tariff and
revenue questions, no doubt quick
ened by the Presidents late message,
which, by large class of practical
and thinking people, is Beloved TO be
in the interest of free-trade, so known
True the message is very general and
theoretical in its statements and
void of direct recommendations or
even suggestions as to how and where
revenue reform should be applied.
We have not been told what impor-
ted articles bearing duties should be
put on the free list, or the customs
thereon reduced, but that there is too
much revenue that needs reduction
by taking off or reducing tariff rates.
The message on account of its free.
trade theories has more general APP
prevail in England and France than
at home.
The old theory-it is not an argu-
ment-was, and still is, that impost
duties on foreign articles imported
into this country is tax paid by the
consumer. This is plausible, but not
true in fact or argument. If it were
true we should now have very high
sugar. as according to the Secretary
of the Treasury's report, we are pay.
ing tariff rate of Is per cent. on all
the sugar and molasses we consume
from abroad except that which comes
from the Sandwich Islands free un.
der a reciprocity treaty. S50,S00,0 0C
were paid into the Treasury last year
on those two articles of necessity, yet
sugar was never cheaper, notWith.
standing it has born a war tariff for
over 25 years. Coffee and tea were
on the free list when the late war
came on, but they were made to pay
a heavy duty as war measure in
1861. In 1872 they were put on the
free list and the revenue reduced
about $20.000,000 annually, but the
consumers did not get any benefit.
The consumers of coffee and tea still
pay the old war price. Just here let
it be remarked, if the revenue re-
formers really believe we have an
injurious surplus, and that the con-
sumers pay the tariff rate or tax on
the imported articles, why not at
once strike off the $5S, 100000 duty on
sugar and molasses, and thereby
bring sugar down to 3 or Gets per
pound to the millions of consumers ?
But we hear little or nothing from
the reformers about free sugar. They
are willing to see it severely protec-
ted to benefit the few producers in
Louisiana, of about 100000 worth
of the article.
The free-traders in their scholastic
theories and visions endeaYor to
have practical people believe that by
reducing the duties on imported ar
ticles made abroad, and liberalizing
our tariff laws we will increase the
demand abroad for our vast surplus
products. especially agricultural. 1
readily admit that Congress can adj.
just our tariff laws so as to materially
increase our imports. but they cannot
by the same laws, or any others. ma
terially increase our exports. Our
products are bought from us only as
needed, and not in Difference to or
consideration. of our revenue laws.
Nations as such do not barter or trade
with each other in mercantile man
ner, but individuals of different ma
tions do hold such relations with each
other, just as home people do. The
people of England mot the govern
ments) buy our cotton, breadstuffs,
and many other indispensable articles
because 1t is their interest to do so.
They never think of enquiring what
character of tariff laws rest on our
statute books. They do not purchase
from us sentimentally, but solely for
business reasons and purposes. And
when we go abroad for articles we
cannot produce, such as coffee, tea,
sugar and many others, and even
luxuries, we do not trouble ourselves
about the laws, institutions, or even
the form of government of the people
where these articles are to be had.
We are proud of our institutions ma
but just as ready to trade
with the Turks as the people Of old
mother England. 1t is a great deal
easier for US to make market for the
product of other countries here, than
to make or increase market for our
selves on the other side of the Allan
tic. People can purchase at will as
Iong their means last, but they cannot
sell to others without their willing
ness to purchase. There is nothing
.ruer than our staple products are
)nly purchased abroad to the extent
Of actual need. and those needs are
neither increased or diminished by
E,sN aI.. "a