Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-10-18
SOME TARrEE HIsIoRx.
What High Taxation Has Done for. or
Against the Country.

What High Taxation Has Done for or
Against the Country.
In his New York address Mr.. Blaine
devoted himself chiefly to the tariff
history of the country. In one aspect
of the matter this was a wise proceed
ing, for he escaped thereby several
troublesome topics. While he scared
aloft in eulogy of protection and war
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
rotary of State, that 1.-the inequalities
in the wages of English and American
operatives are more than equatized 6y
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 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.
11s9-Abolition of all Interstate tariffs and re-
duction Of State tariffs on foreign goods,
followed by rapid increase of prosperity
1SS-Absolute prohibition of all importatons,
followed by universal disaster.
1SO9-Repeal OF prohibition followed by renew
al of prosperity.
1Sl2-The tariff doubled and all importations
stopped by the war. Result, hard times
over the whole country: general suspension
of banks. and such suffering in New En-
gland ut nod
1Sl6-A protective tariff adopted-in some things
higher than that of 1872 although in some
things lower. This was the first tariff which
was framed all through upon principle of
protection The protectionists themselves
always say that it was followed by great
depression in trade.
1s1s-This tariff made still more protective; and
the protectonists always refer to the year
1919 as one of great disaster.
1S2i-A higher tariff, followed by great depres-
sion in the protected manufactures, and
certainly without one cent of increase in
wages.
1S>S-A very high protective tariff, Immediate
~ followed by hard times in 1929, and low
wages SO long as this tariff existed
1S3a-No free trade at all: but slight re-
duction of the tariff, followed by improve
ment in business
1S3S-A gradual reduction of the tariff, leaving
it still so high that enormous surplus
accumulated in the Treasury, which was
distributed among the States in 1887. This
distribution was Immediately followed by
the famous panic of lS3. which was the di-
rect result Of wild land speculation all over
the country, brought about largely by the
surplus.
1S;2-Pro,ect:ve tariff restored followed by
one year (lSi3l of the greatest stagnaton
of business ever known; while during the
whole existence of this tariff farm wages
were cut dosTn about one-half from what
they had been even after the ranic OF 1897.
and wheat. corn and cotton sold at prices
disastrous to farmers and planters. Good
times and fat profits for iron, cotton and
woolen-miil owners; bad times for every
enc else.
1S6-The tariff cut down by about one-third
to one-half. Result, an immense increase
in commerce and shipping, a rapid increase
in manufactures, unprecedented prosperity
in agriculture, and the most rapid advance
in wages ever known in the history of the
country before since.
1S5I-Even under the low tariff of 1876 the
revenue had become excessive and sur
plus accumulated. In order to get rid of
this surplus the tariff was reduced in July,
but in September, before the new tariff
could have the least effect the short panic
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 1859 and 1860 agr. cult
ure. commerce and manufactures were all
more prospesous than they ever had been
before.
1s61-A protective tariff, constantly increas-
ing until 1867. According to protectionist
logic the result was our terrible civil war,
because this as a matter of fast immedi-
.ately followed the new tariff. For more
than year after the adoption of this pro-
tective tariff the business OF the country
was in a fearfully depressed condition
1S64-Tarin raised fifty per cent Manufactur-
ers made fortunes for three years. Wages,
in gold lower than ever.
1s61-Great increase in tariff on wool. Result
Immediate slaughter of 100000 sheep, re-
duction of wool product and ruin of many
wooden factories. The years 1867, 1865 and
1869 were periods of great depression in
business, and especially ill manufactures.
= In 1868 the protectonists themselves de-
clared that there were more unemployed
workmen than had ever before been known.
1S1;-Slight reduc ton in the tariff and consid-
cradle reduction in taxation generally. As
result business improved considerably.
But the tariff being still maintained all
its protective features, the great panic of
1873 ensued, which was far worse than the
panic of 1851 and which lasted for more
than five times long a period. From
September, 1873 until January. 1879, the
business of the country was more de-
pressed, and more laborers driven out of
employment than in any other period of the
country's history. So far from their being
"twenIy-seven years of prosperity" under
the last protective tariff, fully half of that
time has been a period of extraordinary
business depression, especially marked by
falling wages, and the wholesale discharge
of laborers from employment. This was
especially the case in 1861, 1867, 1865, 1869,
1873 1874, 1878, 1876, 1877 and 1873
1SSe-Pretended reduction, but real increase in
tariff. Wages cut down everywhere in
factories and mines. Great panic of May,
1884, leaving depression for two years.
As a corrective for Mr.. Blaine's pos
'sible Measurements of tariff history
this little compilation. the work of
Hon. Thomas G. Sherman, will be
found invaluable. We suggest to every
attendant upon the Blaine meeting that
he take copy with him.-Detroit Free
Press.
An INSULT TO LABOR.