The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1888-01-04

price the lumber interest is enabled
to charge copnts up intothe millions
1t is a low estimate to say that fol
every dollar which reaches the pub.
lie treasury at least IS are paid te
the manufacturers. The protective
system first came into note after the
war of 1879. when msnnfaeturer.
with small capital and little skill
had been forced into existence: II
was then, perhaps, proper public
economy and equitable to give these
struggling manufacturers bounty
for time. This was the exact plea
of Henry Clay for the protective
idea. Clay may be considered more
than any other one man the father
of the protective system. Thsrs-
fore let me give his exact ntteran-
ces on the subject In the biogra-
ply of Mr.. Clay recently published,
from the pom of Carl Schurz, / read
that Clay, Just previous to his nom-
1nation for the Presidency in 1874,
made series of speeches through
out the country. OF these utteran-
ces Mr.. Schurz writes,
"tHe expressed himselfsonorously
upon all the old whig principles
and measures, repeating his view OF
the protective tariff as temporary
arrangement which the infant in
dustries, rapidly growing up to man
hood, would not much longer re-
quire.
sThe present high tariff had a
plausible and perhaps
LEGITIMATE BEGINNING.
A direct tax was levied on manufac-
tured goods in the midst of the war
to aid the Treasury in its extreme
demands The tariff was simulta-
neously raised to compensate for
this direct tax. After the close of
the war, when the national finances
became easy, the direct tax was re-
pealed, but the manufacturing inter
est was fortunate enough to retain
the high tariff. The vast interests
thus subserved are now active in
trying to persuade the country that
the public interests will be served
by even making this duty higher.
But to create necessity for contin-
uing this war taxation they gravely
propose to release the taxes on
spirits and tobacco. 1t is difficult
to believe that this grotesque and
ludicrous proposition is sincere.
Powerful interests, however, actu-
ated by selfishness, are eqnalto any
absurdity. Essays and speeches,
covering whole pages of great news
papers, are devoted to persuading
the people that relief is to be af-
forded by free whisky and tobacco.
When informed that 800, ,OOO, 900 OF
national taxes should be RENTED,
we farmers thought it a boon. 1t
promised cheaper prices for the va
rious necessaries of life. To our as
tenishment, we are generously Of
fered, in lieu thereof, cheap whisky
and tobacco. This ludicrous propo-
sition is founded on the new pro-
tension set up by manufacturers
that high tariff is a public good
the higher the better-and is to be
made perpetual. You will see, fell
low farmers, that this is a new de-
parture from
THE TEACHINGS OF HENRY CLAY
and the early fathers. In the Chi
cago Herald, of this morning, see
that the american Protective Tariff
League, which seeks to pledge ] 900
men to contribute 800 each annu-
ally to fund for maintaining high
tariff, has just recruited its four
hundredth man. How much this
fund has to do in spreading the fall
lacies of the new tariff creed 1 leave
each intelligent farmer in the land
to estimate for himself. 1t is certain
that no such science of public econ
omy would originate with the con-
sumers of protected goods, and es-
pecially with the farmers, who are
their largest customers. / do NOT
expect to impose my own sentiments
upon others, but to me the matter is
SO clear, and one which SO closely
affects our agricultural class, that
cannot forbear expression of my
personal convictions l believe the
tariff taxes are real taxes, and, as .
whole, are paid at the dearest rate.
/ believe that the manufacturers car
permit large reduction in the pro.
tective features of the tariff greatly
to the advantage of consumers, and
still enjoy more prosperity than dc
the farmers. I believe protection il
largely used to assist the odioul