Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-12-06
FAsMBRs ArD rar rAaIrr.
Advocates OF Reform Rave Cause
for encouragement II. ...-,s

AWfucateh OF hnfDfrn ihfAVc GNuSC
for .EnGauraRsrnea ~ ,s5-,,
New York Evsumg p 80.
That the farmers supported the high,
tariff policy In the resent election as zeAl.
ously as ever, while the workingmon in
the manufacturing centres voted In in.
creasing numbers In opposition to tina;
policy, is fact now generally recognized
and taken as q landmark for future con-
tesla. TIE Irf6une makes ii the basis OF
an argument in favor OF an inoraAsa Of
duties on farm products. 'lhe Demo.
cratic House." u says, proposed to cut
OF more than half of all the duties ool-
lected TO protect farm induatry. The
answer Of the people was to elect Re-
publican President, q Republican House,
and the astonishing votes In the farming
states are still ringing in the ears OF
tariff reformers. Tue logical inference is
that the majoritiss in these farming
states want the things done which they
petitioned Congress to have done they
want the tariff made TO serve its purpose,
and do not want 1t broken down or left
just as IL is q1oth the Tribune.
We shall not deny that the American
farmer 10 still willing and even anxious to
be pluoked for the benefit of other peo-
pie, but We deny that he was harmed by
the Mills bill in any degree whatsoever
The only farm product put on the free
iist by the Mills bill was wool, and as to
that It has been shown that tho three
largest wool-producing states showed o
loss rather than gain of Republican
votes in the election. Tho duties on
aheat and other cereals, on dairy prod.
ncts, on hops, hay, honey. potatoes, and
live animals wore not changed by the
Mills bill. II these duties had all been
repealed the farmers would not have been
injured, and IL they had been doubled
they would have received no benefit.
we import q few potatoes when we have
a short crop, and va export come WHEN
we have n large crop, but the nmouat is
insignificant, and II affaots only the
Atlsntio seGboard and tho northwestern
border line in any case. As TO the great
oulk Of agricultural produce, no tariff,
however h'ga, would raise tie prise a
penny, for the reason that they constitute
tie major part OF our exports, and have
TO DO sold in foreign markets alongside
and IN competition with the like produces
OF every country on the globe The
American farmer 10 thus brought face TO
face With the labor Of tins Rdssisn peas-
ant, the Indian ryot, md the Egyptian
te'laa. WHAT they got for their produe-
tious be can get. Not q farthing more
could he act II the importation OF grain
Eere prohibited by law. But 80 q matter
81 fact tho Mills bill did not touch the
du'tosca these articles at all. i
Notwithstanding the vote Of tho farm.
ing states IL tie rocen. eieu,i0n, the
sGparssitipnlot the agricultural ciassea ~
no. inturahle There 10 no miad 80 dull
mat " cannot be- made to comprehend she
t4ct that the tariff is an inj1ry to the
aian who sella In cheap market and
BAYS IN one made artiio,slly dear. Nor
10 il true that abstract ideas regarding the
tRfin wore the most moving cunsidera.
uons among tbs farmers Ia the recent
campaign. The fact THAT tie proposed
refntm OF the tariff Tas of southern
paren,aae had q great influence In the
rural districts. 1t revived the memories
OF the war and enlisted sectional feel
ing that would otherwise have remained
dormant. Il the Mills bill had been the
scott bill or the Springer bill, il would
have been by far mora acceptable to
farmers OF the north. II ia easy to see
nov that, without any change in its pro-
visions, measure having a northern
origin and name would have been much
stronger IN the north Il is not the fault
OF Nj Mills, of tho two breckenridge, OF
Mr. Wilson of West Virginia, and other
southern members that they we're tho
moot conspicuous Al506at6s OF ths lnpa9-
ure, b~' their prominence NSs mot with.
ont its influence in the farming Gornrauai.
ties, " ere new ideas are SLOW to gain
Judgment, and where old memories have
their stronges. hold.
The battle Joined in the recent cam.
paign % only begun. When We consider
row short time was allowed for the
work OF sducation, and how great gain
was made among those who could be
reached, and what odds Of money and ia.
limitation were arrayed ON the other
side, the advocates of tariff reform have
abundant cause for encouragement, snd
every reason 10 helieye that when they
shall havs had tq1Ri opportunity to reach
American farmers their Success with thera
Si'i be commemorate with that which
they have undenisbly achieved among the
operatives in towns and cities.
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