Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-10-05
TRrSlS AND TIE TAKIFF.

IAN'i' baNb ana iFAitit -
The American people-save only Mr.
Blaine and his friends who are in the
combination-do not approve of trusts.
How shall they be suppressed? That
is the question.
Senator Sherman says that they "may
and ought to be met by a reduction of
duties.'
The Mills bill reduces the duty on steel
rails from $l7 to S11 per ton. This 70
ducJion will strike the steel rail ring
Steel rails cost to manufacture about $2G
per ton. The tariff enabled this ring &c
put mp the price last year to $40 per ton
With duty of $ll per ton the price
could not be put above $34.
There is the steel beam trust, with a
tariff of 102 per cent. The Mills bill
will curtGil the extortion of this trult.
The linseed oil trust would be checked
by this bill. The great lumber
pool would be brought to book
to some extent if tho ~ duty on Idm-
ber were removed.
The jute bagging trust will get a black
eye if the Mills bill is passed
The school slate ring is dealt severe
blowby the same bill.
The great sugar trust is also seriously
crippled by the cut in sugar.
The envelope pool would find its power
TO control prices seriously impaired by
the passage OF this bill.
The iron and steel association, gigan-
tic combination to keep up tariffs and
prices of those metals will get setback
if this bill is passed.
The New York Tribune said not long
ago that "thCse combinations to prevent
competition in the home market we're
destined to defeet tho very object of the
protective system" This is most true.
The profes5ed object of the tariff is to
build up homo industries, to multiply
their number, set them to compet
ing with one another. thus
holding prices down to reasonable
margin of profit The moment they com
bine to control prices, restrict oompeti-
tion, limit produotion, reduce wages, etc,
that moment they have violated the i'm
piled contract under which they wero
given protection. They nave become
enemies to American Industry. they try
TO stiflo its development. They couspire
to defeat the effect and operation of tariff
laws, while they derive the fullest benefit
of tariff taxation.
Some combinations, il is true, cannot
be reached by the reduction of the tariff.
A, to SUCH they must be met by aIl the
power of federal legislation, which can be
exerted under the power TO regulate inter
state commerce. Tho state legislatures
must also provide legislation so
such unholy combinations The law
must give ample redress TO the victims
OF such combinations. Corporations that
enter into them must forfeit their char
ters. Firms or individuals that en-
gage in such trusts for the sake of con
trolling the market must tiud the arm of
the law laid on to repress them, while
they and their schemes, and their ilI-got-
ten gains must be placed outside the
pale OF legal proteotion.
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAULS DOWN
IFS FLAG.
New York Herald: The announcement
is officially made, as we print elsewhere,
that tho republican party will net discuss
the tariff bill at this session OF congress.
"Tho demand for Il measure of some
kind from the republicans, we are in
formed, "is just Que and will he met by
the senate. At the same time that legis
lative body will frankly say 70 TIE public
in their report that more time is peeded
sad more testimony solicited. In this
way the proposed measure can be modi-
fed and injustice to either labor or capt
tai avoided. Tho republican party can
not afford to act hastily iu this matter
Let tentative bill be presented aud
then refer tas whole mittsr back 10 the
finance committed"
Since swiudliug ani fGlsehood have
become depraved forms of humaa in
geuuity there has been no exhibition so
marked as the republican course on
the tariff. Almost year has elapsed
since the president called the attention of
congress to the surplus as an evil threat
ening the nations credit. The democrats
worked out remedy in the Mills bill.
The country expected the republicans to
follow their example and congress decide
between their plans. When the rumor
came that no serioUS discussion of the
tariff was intended by the republicans
that Mr.. Blaine and Mr.. Quay had so aa-
vissd, this was denied with indignation,
But Rumor was we'll informed.
Why should rhe republican party act
hsstilyY The monopoiists are in power
Labor bears the burdens. Tue CArnegies
amass mammoth incomes, the result OF
oppressive imposts. The tariff suits the
oppressor. 1t is vested interest, like the
land; sacred, like the crown and the es-
tablished church. II ten years are II be
Consumed in "6iscussing" new tarif
measure, it will mean ten more for
the monoPolists to enjoy their plunder.
So on this tariff question tbs republi-
can party hadls down its flag. There is
an end of that comedy. Aud on the
business OF retaliation against Canada
Mr.. Sherman likewise hsuls down the
flag. Retaliation might hurt Portland.
Me-, as "Canada's winter port" aud thst
would never do. For uuder this blessed
republican dominination the whole conn
try may shiver or burn provided no ham
comes to the slightest YarAee interest.
The flag is hauled down. Mr.. Blaine's