Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-08-31
The Tariff and the Surplus.

The current number Of the North
American Review contains an interesting
article on Democracy at 81 Louis, in
which the writer shows that the free
trade wing Of the Democratic party has
captured President Cleveland and the
House OF Representatives,. and that il is
not, as would appear on the surface.
President Cleveland who has captured the
Democratic party and bent IL 10 his will.
Whether the free trade wing OF the Dem
ocratic party will follow up its victory
over the President and the House by the
capture OF the national vote at the Presi-
dental election, depends. the writer as
serts. on a clear knowledge of the tariff
issue. and more especially OF the Mills
tariff BILL how il was concocted and what
il really means. The birthplace Of the
bill is enveloped in mystery. as the writer
sarcastically observes. "even 10 this day,
the place where the present bill was
formed is rs secret as the burial place Of
Moses" lie then goes on with his scath
ing indictment. He says: After il saw
daylight, not one single interest affected
was permitted 10 appear and defend its
position. Capital and labor and even
their representatives on the floor were
alike shut out Nothing but secret inter.
views have been allowed, and what took
place at those interviews no protectionist
democrat or Republicsn-ha been al
lowed TO know. The bill is thoroughly
and essentially geographical Where
Democracy has sway, the knife skins
lightly. Where the other side is repre-
scnted. the knife goes TO the hIlt Salt
is on the free list, rice is left with a
duty Of C8 10 100 per cent A party
caucus has been held. and some Of the
heaviest duties have been restored,
where Democratic representatives would
be disconnected. In other words. in
dustries have been treated with favor or
disfavor on account Of their politics
What the Free Traders so frequently call
the privileged classes" have been con-
tinued in their privileges. il Democrats
came from their districts, and refused il
they did not Briefly. the Mills tariff
bill is a machine TO catch votes at the
Presidential election. Where Democrats
are concerned. the Free Trade knife is
firmly tied up; but where they are not
concerned, il is allowed full swing. In
short the bill is fragrant example Of
principles sacrificed TO the exigcncics Of
party. The writer then proceeds 10 es-
tablish what in fact is patent 10 every
one, that the present tariff is grief and
vexation 10 no one. There have been
no public meetings throughout the coun-
try demanding reduction on the tariff
as il now stands. There has been no
popular outcry for lower duties on i'm
ported merchandise, and above all, no
petition TO Congress demanding relief
from the oppression OF the protective
system. On the contrary, the popular
70 oil 10 ~
that every Democrat. from the President
downwards is careful tn explain that the
Mills tariff bill is not a free trade bill. and
that every protected American industry
will in no way he Injured BY the passage
of that bill Neither it must be con
fcssed-except in few partisan Journals
is there any indication that there exists
in the country any profound dissatisfac-
ton on account OF the surplus in the
treasury. Indeed, there are not wanting
Americans and they are by no means
the least patriotic brethren-who are
proud Of the surplus as Of something es-
sentially American, and which no other
nation the wide world over can boast Of
AS a rule people groan over a deficit. and
pot over q full treasury. 1t is true that
in languid sort OF way there has arisen
a feeling that it would be wiser TO dis
rose Of the surplus than to allow 1t TO
accumulate in the treasury. and ii is TO
this feeling that the Mills tariff bill pre-
tends to address itself Experience. how
ever, has repeatedly shown that reduced
duties increase imports. and. as con-
sequence. that the treasury receipts are
Increased and not diminished by reduc-
ton Of the duties; So that the Mills tariff
bill, SO far as the surplus is concerned,
would rather increase than diminish it.
The only way, indeed, in which tariff
bill could be made tc WORK SO rs 10 strike
down the surplus. would be by large ad
ditions TO the free list but this would be
free trade with a vengeance, and the
party in power. Notwithstanding its
secret proclivitie.. shripks from such an
open declaration OF ia principles. Had
the aim Of the Democracy been simply a
of the surplus and nothing else,
there was, as the writer in the North
American Review Justly observes. mo
moment Of time since the opening OF the
session, when bill could have been de
feated. which took $50, 600 600 from
sc. 900. 600 from alcohol used in
the arts, and either 81. 600, 900 or s25.
600. 600 from sugar. had the majority
presented it, The Government. for the
last six months, might have taken at the
rate Of S54 ,000OO less per year, than
now