The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1888-09-20
AIMS AND PLANS O. REVENUE RE-
FORM


In their zeal'to poro;e,'ze the Mills
bill, and allay the indigu t.tiou of patriotic
voters atits concessi~? foreign demand
for the repeal of our me laws, free
trade organs and oratvls al persistently
asserting that the saiu Ill proposes re-
duction Of only seven per cent of the pro-
lection afforded by the existing tariff.
This claim, like most other free-trade
propositions, loses all is force when tine
reader turns from the contemplation OF
assertions to the facts OF history.
When commencing has ill to the sup
port of revenue refor.ners," Mr.. Mills
announced that it prov lded for reduct-
ion in the revenue, amounting to $50, sol
636. In statement of the revenues re-
ceived during the year 1887, used in the
same speech, he credited the customs
emitting liquors, tobaccos and silks,
which are not touched by the bill-with
$179, 741 $3.50. page 1916 Cong. Rec,
ord The author Of the bill thus admits
a contemplated reduction equivalent to
% per cent OF the existi,:, protection to
the industries affected. =. other words
he acknowledges that the proposed bill
will Obliterate more thin one-fourth OF
the distinction between pur present pol.
icy of protection and absolute free trade
But the injurious effect ii the proposed
scheme is not to be measured by such
generalization. The tar.If on wool, en-.
acted and maintained f3r the defense Of
nearly a million of since; Nners, is to be
oblitcratcd. So with ii tariff on meats
hemp, fax, vegetables a. a long list Of
fruits exposed to forei,,l competition
None Of the industries producing these
are to be let off with SO little as % pei
cent reduction in thcir pr rejection. They
are reicgated to the Tree st, and turned
over TO the destiny of s,.1.i competition
as may come from countries where men
are compelled to work for one-half the
wages paid to labovecs in the United
States.
In view of the pro- -esa nnade in the di,
rection of free trade uuGcr tic auspices OF
the present national ADMINISTRATION, the
London Times has gooc 'cason for the
exulting exclamation:
This operation may rot establish free
trade in the strict sense -. he word, but
it will to a great extent make trade free.
The tariff cannot be redt ed to the strict
proportions of a revenue corresponding
TO the limited diminishing necessities OF
the federal government "ithout admit
ting a great flood of forsirn competition
1t will also be far FROM SAFE for voters
to lose sight of the fact ,,,:tt the conten,
ton that the Mills bill provides for but sew
Ell per cent reduction in protective duties
is for future as well as Er-sent use. The
free trade attorneys fully r2alize that il
it should become law heir case is but
halt Won. In that event resent accept
ance of their plea WI: i come their
strongest argument for further reduction
and further sacrifice on the free list of such
industries as have outivcn the present
attack upon their existencc. If any voter
doubts that such is til ul.iriaj" object OF
the present movement le, 80 read and
consider the uttefauceS u; the two most
prominent characteristic president and
the chairman of the ways and means
committee:
81 believe in free trade as l believe in
the Protestant religion" G2oyER CLEvE-
LAND.
II desire free trade, AMI will not help
to perfect any law that st. Ui,'' in the way
of free trade. ROGER Q: MILLS.