The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-10-27
SOME TARIFF HISTORY.
what High Taxation Has Done for, o
Against the Country.

OF the matter this was wise proceed
ing, for he escaped thereby several
troublesome topics. While no scared
aloft in eulogy OF protection and wal
tariffs he could not, of course, keep
near enough the ground to explain
why he voted in Congress for free coal
and free lumber. Neither could he be
expected to discuss the labor question
in the light of his showing, when Sec
retary OF State, that 1.-The inequalities
in the wages OF English and American
operatives are more than eQualised By
the greater efficiency Of the latter"
For the same reason he was able to set
"trusts" and "free whisky" one side
and to leave the political revolution
in Maine unconsidered.
But in view of the possibility that he
may again take refuge in a garbled
history Of the tariff we present here
with brief and succinct summary Of
the tariffs of the past and what they
have done for, or against, the country.
17s9-Aboltion of all Interstate tariffs and re.
duction ef State tariffs on foreign goods,
followcd,y rapid increase OF prosperity.
15o8-Absolute prohibition OF all importatons,
followed by universal disaster.
1809-Repeal Of prohibition, followed by renew.
al OF prosperity.
15i2-The tariff doubled and ali importations
i, stopped by the war. Result, hard times
7 over the whole country; general suspension
OF banks, and such suffering In New En-
gland that secession was threatened.
aS10-A protective tariff adopted-in some things
higher thnn that OF 1912, although in some
things lower. This was the first tariff which
was framed oil through upon principle Of
protection. The protectionists themselves
always say that IL was followed by great
depression in trade.
1s1s--This tariff made still more protective; and
the protectionists always refer to the year
1910 Us one Of great disaster.
18sl-A higher tariff followed by great depres-
sion in the protected manufactures, and
certainly without one cent Of increase in
wages.
!, 1scS-A very high protective tariff, Immediate
y ly followed by hard times In 1885, and low
wages SO long as this tariff existed.
1932-No free trade nt all: but slight re-
ducton OF the tariff followed by improve
nent in business
1S39-A gradual reduction OF the tarin, leaving
it still SO high that an enormous surplus
accumulated in the Treasury, which was
distributed among the States in 1897 This
distribution was Immediately followed by
the famous panic Of 1887, which was the d.
rect result of wild >Rnd speculation all over
surplus.
3A2-Pro!ective tariff restored, followed by
one year CS48) OF the greatest stagnat.on
OF business ever known; while during the
whole existence OF this tariff farm wages
were cut down about one-hnlf from what
they had been even utter the panic OF 1887,
and wheat, corn and cotton sold at prices
disastrous to farmers and planters. Good
times and fnt profits for iron, cotton and
woolen.mi.l owners; bad times for every
one else.
1ai8-The tariff cut down by about one-third
to one-half. Result, ON immense increase
In commerce and shipping, rapid increase
in manufactures, unprecedented prosperity
in agriculture. and the most rapid advance
in wages ever known in the history Of the
country before or since.
1s57-Even under the low tariff OF 1S46 the
revenue had become excessive and o sur
plus accumulated. In order to get rid Of
this surplus the turif wns reduced in July,
but in September, before the new tariff
could have the least effect, the short panic
h, OF 1857 occurred as the result Of another
wild land speculation, combined partially
with the failure of crops. By 1858, however,
almost the whole effect Of the panic had
passed away, and in 1850 and 1850 agricult-
ure, commerce and manufactures were all
more prosperous than they ever had been
before.
ing until 1861 According to protectionlst
logic the result was our terrible civil war,
because this as o muttor OF fast immedi-
ately followed the new tariff. For more
than year after the adoption Of this pro.
tectve tariff the business Of this country
was in fearfully depressed condition.
1664-Tarin raised fifty per cent. Manufactur
ers made fortunes for three yehrs. Wages,
in gold, lower than ever.
1667-Great increase in tariff on WOOL Result,
immediate slaughter OF 100000 sheep, re-
du ction OF wool product and ruin of many
woolen factories. Tho years 1867, 1858 and
1860 were periods OF greut depression In
business, ond especially III manufactures.
In 1858 the protectionists themselves de-
clarcd that there were more unemployed
workmen than had ever before been known.
1s70-Slight reduction In the tariff and consid-
cradle reduction in taxation generally. AS
. result business improved considerably.
but the tnrin being still maintained IN oil
its protective features, the great panic OF
1878 ensued, which was far worse than the
panic of 1857, md which lasted for more
than five times as long period. From
Septembar, 1873, until January, 1874 the
business of the country was more de-
I pressed, and more laborers driven out of
employment than In any other period OF the
countrys history. So far from their being
''twcnty-seven years OF prosperity" under
the last protective tariff, fully half Of that
time has been period OF extraordinary
business depression, especially marked by
falling wages, and tho wholesale discharge
especially the case in 1881, 1867, 1865, 1850,
1873 1874 1870 1876. 1877 and 1878.
1883-Pretcnded reduction, but real increase In
tnrih. Wages cut down everywhere In
factories aud mines Grent panic OF May,,
1881, leaving depression for two years.
As a corrective for Mr.. Blaine's pos
sible misstatements OF tariff history
this little compilation, the work of
Hon. Thomas G. Shearman, will be
found invaluable. We suggest to every
attendant upon the Blaine meeting that
he take a copy with him.-Detroit Free
Press.
AN INSULT TO LABOR.
Edwin #. Gould Proves His Charges
Against the Republican Candidate.
Edwin +. Gould, secretary OF Dis
trict Assembly 106 of the Knights Of
Labor OF Indianapolis. tho author of
fhe chnrcres auaiust Eenera1 Harrtaon