Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1888-06-15
a Plain Common-Scnse Argu-
mont.

II is probably too much to expect
that politicians shall be thoroughly
honest, at least until voters become
more thoughtful and independent
Some of the so-callcd tariff reform
ers of the period are especially dis.
ingenious in their treatment Of the
tariff question or rather the question
of reducing the revenue. They
avow with show of sincerity and
stimulated devotion 10 the interests
OF the people that they will never
consent to abolish the taxes on
whisky and tobscco while the tax
ON food and clothing remains. II
there were any such question at
issue, they would be right. Blu,
there is no such question. Their
promises are utterly false. They
set up man Of straw and valiantly
proceed TO knock him down.
Now these politicians know very
well, those of them who happen to
know anything at all. that there is
no connection whatever between
what they assume and what they
conclude. They kno'v. or ought to
know, that the only Government
tax laid upon the people Of this
country is the internal revenue tax
This tax the people do pay, and
while II is not gricvously burden
some II is felt. What are known
as tariff duties are collected, not
from the American people, but
from the foreign shipper who is
compelled to reduce the price of his
commodity to point where it can
pay the duty and still compete with
our home made goods. The loss is
his, and the foreign laborers whose
wages are forced down TO meet the
eXigcncies Of the case. Experience
has amply shown that reduction
Of tariff duties does not result in
cheapening Of neccssarics TO the
consumer. The importer simply
adds the amount Of reduction 10 his
existing prices and pockets the DIFF.
ference. On the other hand, most
of the articles which have gradually
and steadily undergone a decrease
in price are those from which good
round custom duties are collected
Clothing is one Of the protected
nccessaries, and yet the price Of
clothing has gradually gone down
under domestic competition uutil II
is now lower than ever known in
this country before. The tax on
whisky and tobacco may be repealed.
and the price Of clothing would not
advance one cent. The duty on
clothing might be taken off and the
price would not diminish a particle
The only result would be, that i'm
the first case the surplus revenue
would be reduced in the interests
Of the people who pay the internal
taxes. and in the second case the
foreign importer would be enriched
and the domestic producer would
suffer from increased competition.
for the larger the importers profit
tie more foreign goods he will ship
in.
No tax payer is complaining Of
the Government taxes; they are not
burdensome TO nybody--cxcept
the foreign importer whose Interests
we are not obligated 20 consider.
The question before the country is
not one Of taxation, but Of rcduc.
ton Of the surplus. The Govern
ment has more revenue than il needs.
and the question is shall the surplus
be curtailed by lifting the tax which
is paid by the American people or
that which is paid by the British
manufacturer and shipper. The
Republican protectionist says the
former, the Democratic free trader
says the latter The one is an
American policy the other a British
policy Between these two the
country is called upon 10 decide in
November. Ought there he any
doubt what the decision will bes-
Er.