Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-07-26
HISTORICAL FACTS.
1ho Inconsistent Course of the Opposition
on the High Protection Issue.

on the High Profession Issue.
The Republican declaration of high
and increasing tariff tax recalls the
fact that now for the first time high
protection is made the Republican shib-
boieth. The party sprang from the
absorbing issue of slavery, and its pur-
pose was to Withstand the extension OF
slavery into the Territories. The plat
form of 1856 was devoted to this ques-
ton. The platform of 1860, upon which
the party came into power, was also
primarily and chiefly devoted to the
various aspects of the question of slav-
cry, the Union, the rights of the States.
etc, and was composed of seventeen
sections. Tbs first section said:
THAT while providing revenue for the sup
port OF the general Government by duties upon
imports, sound policy requires such an adjust
Inent OF these imposts as to encourage the de-
velopment of the industrial interests OF the
whole country; and We commend the policy OF
National exchanges which secures TO the work
ing-man liberal wages, TO agriculture remuner-
2ting prices, to mechanics and manufacturers
an adequate reward for their skill. labor and
enterprise, and TO the Nation commercial pros
perity and Independence"
In 1864 the platform was war plat
form, and said of the finances that the
public faith must be kept inviolate, and
that for this purpose "we recommend
economy and rigid responsibility in the
PUBLIC expenditures, and a vigorous
and just system of taxation" In 1868
the platform declared that cit Is due
to the labor of the Nation that taxation
should be equalized and reduced as
rapidly as the National faith will per-
nit" and also "the Government of
the United States should be admins
tered with the strictest economy"
From 1856 to 1872 the Republican plat
forms were silent upon what Is now
declared to be the supreme policy of
the party. In 1872 the platform said:
- The annual revenue. after paying current
expenditures, pensions and the interest on the
public debt, should furnish a moderate balance
for the reduction OF the principal. and that rev.
enue, except so much Is may be derived from
a tax upon tobacco and liquors, should be
raised by duties upon importatlons, the details
of which should be SO adjusted as to aid in Sc
curing remunerative wages to labor. and pro-
mote the industries prosperity and growth OF
the whole country"
But whatever the declarations of the
platforms, the great Republican doc
trine was by no means that of extreme
protection. Garfield: said: &c 1 am for
a protection which leads to ultimate
free trade. / am not for free trade
which can only be achieved through a
reasonable protection" Again Gar
field said:
1.-The signs are unmistakable that q strong
reaction is setting IN against the prevailing
{tarin rates, and he is not q wise legislator
who shuts his eyes TO the facts OF the situation.
y he DO nf a To- fail =
merely votes for the highest rate proposed in
order to show on the record that he voted for
the highest figure, and therefore is a sound
protectionist. He Is the wisest man who sees
the tides and currents OF public opinion. and
uses his best efforts to protect the industry OF
the people against sudden colapses and sudden
changes Now If do not misunderstood the
signs of the times, unless we do this ourselves,
prudently and wisely, we shall before long be
compelled to submit to a violent reduction,
made rudely and without discrimination. which
viii shock, If not SKATER. all our protected in
dustries.''
In his message of 1884 President
Arthur said:
In my annual message Of 1882 recon-
vnend the abolition OF Gil excise taxes except
chose relating to distilled sssrits. This recon-
mendation is now renewed. In case these
taxes shall be abolished, the revenue that will
remain to the Government WILL in my opinion,
not only suftice to meet it's reasonable ex-
penditures, but will afford q surplus large
enough to permit such tariff reduction as may
seem to be advisable when the results OF recent
revenue laws and commercial treaties shall
have shown in what quarters these reductions
can be most jOdiciously Effected
President Arthur had three Score
-taries of the Treasury-Mr. Folger,
Mr.. Gresham and Mr.. McCullooh.
They were all strict Republicans and
revenue reformers. In his annual re-
port for 1888, Mr.. Folger said:
"a The existing duties upon raw materials
which are to be used In manufacture should be
removed. This can be done In the interest OF
our foreign trade"
a.. The notifications of the tariff rec
commended by the Tariff Commission
of 1883 President Arthur thought to be
inadequate, and in calling attention to
the fact that "our system of tax and
tariff legislation is yielding a revenue
which is in excess of the present needs
of the Government" he stated two
reasons in favor of tightening the tax:
'oThat the revenue may be reduced so MS no
longer to tax the people; that protective
duties may be retained without becoming bur
.deDsome
All this was sound Republicanism
under the last Republican Administra-
ton, but it is substantially in accord
with President Cleveland's message. If
that means free trade, this Republican
President and his Republican Secretar-
les were substantially free traders. The
original Republican doctrine of 1868 is
that of the Presidents message. ut is
due to the labor of the Nation that
taxation should be eQualized and
reduced as rapidly rs the National
faith will permit" The statement of
the Chicago Tribune. when the mes
sage appeared. has not been yet sue
cessfully challenged.
1.-The message is siHply the tariff reduction
plank of the Republican party adopted in 1881
expanded. It is nothing more or less than q