New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-30
TvrOpnsTTON THAT rs NEEDED.

Certain questions regarding the tariff have
been received which may advantagcously be
answered together. One inquirer begins at the
beginning and asks what is free trade? His
letter shows that he needs the information
No intelligent man uses the phrase, in tariff
discussions, as if it meant all clifton of all duties
on imports England is now the only free-'
trade country of the world, and yet the aver
age rate of duty collected by Great Britain on
all dutiable imports is 69.5 per cent In 1886
the value of these imports was f2S, 800, 1858,
and the amount Of duties collected, f20,1 &c.
$50. Nearly the whole duty was levied on
tea, tobacco and wines, which that country
does not produce at all, and on spirits which
it taxes whether produced at home or imported.
Free trade means the levying Of duties for
revenue only, in such manner as to help home
industries as little as possible. The free-trade
theory is that home industry cannot be helped
through the levying of duties on imports with
out taxing the many for the benefit OF the few.
Free trade, therefore, imposes duties as far
as possible upon articles which are not products
of home industry, and omits or abolishes or
reduces duties of protective character as far
as the necessities of revenue will permit.
This simple explanation makes it clear that
he who asks about the average rate of duties
upon imports" as if that determined the char
acter of the tariff is sadly in need Of educa-
ton. The tariff which Henry Clay advocated
was protective, because it Disseminated in
favor of home industry that is it preferred
duties which would encourage production at
home to duties which would encourage no pro-
duction at home. The tariff which Mr.. Mills
advocates dscriminates against home industry
it prefers duties which do not encourage pro-
lection at home and cuts down or abolishes
in preference duties which do encourage pro-
lection at home.
"Why insist that Democrats favor free
trade?" Because it is true; because they
boast that it is true; because their action in
Congress would be simply idiotic if it were
not guided by free-trade beliefs and prin-
ciples. When British journals say that Presi-
dent Cleveland uses the precise arguments
which British Free Traders have been using
for fifty years they tell the exact truth. Brit
ish journals and British gentlemen do not con-
ceal their profound contempt for American
politicians who want free trade but have not
the manhood to say so.
But chow will abolition of the tariff on
asks reader That Is question prompted
by the free-trade theory that duties which pro-
tect do not affect wages. Every Protectionist
understands Cd that production Of American
wool must largely diminish if foreign wool is
admitted free; ~ that many looms which are
adapted to use American wool only must there
fore cease running in that case; (3) that de-
pendence upon foreign sources Of supply must
close many other mills, unless the rate of wages
here falls to something like the German level
"a that the reduction in duties on woollen
goods from 20 to 40 per cent with under
valuations of all woollens, specific duties being
abolished, would close other mills by the thou
sand; and (5) that when part of the labor in
any great industry is unemployed depression
of wages in that industry is the inevitable re-
suit.
In what way was the country less prosper
Gus under the revenue or free-trade tariff Of
1860 than it is now?" The wages Of labor
are now at least 35 per cent higher than they
were in 1860, and every dollar received will
buy more necessaries and comforts of life
more of all the products Of industry taken in
proportions as they are actually consumed
than 81 20 would have bought in 1860