Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1888-10-27
THE GREAT ISSUE.

THE GREAT ISSUE.
Tho principle underlying the so.
called "tariff reform" policy Of the free
trade Democracy has been very aptly
likened to the policy Of that class Of
found in all communities who
send to the larger cities for their cloth
ing. groceries, etc., because they can
get them "a little cheaper"-a policy
which builds up the large cities and
the local merchant who pays
rent and taxes in the small cities.
Suppose that one.half the people in
Devils Lake should conclude to with
draw their patronage from the local
merchant and bestow it upon the st.
Paul merchant. The Devils Lake mer-
chant would not only be seriously en-
barrassed in business, but to nav him.
self he must discharge half his clerks.
These clerks must 60 to the farm and
raise wheat, thus increasing the surplus
ofgraln, and everyone knows that an
increased surplus Of grain means re.
duced prices. When the local mer-
chant has finally been driven out of
business by this "foreign policy" and
his clerks have become farmers; when
the local decentralization is complete,
and consumers are compelled to order
supplies in St. Paul, the st. Paul mer.
chant will advance the prices Of his
goods. This is simply an illustration
on a small scale, but the logic Of it is
readily understood by the local mer.
chant and the consumer.
Now apply this illustration to the
cheap policy Of the alleged 'ftariff re-
formers" as it pertains to the free trade
countries of Europe and to protected
America.
"The Democratic policy" says Mr..
Cleveland's friend Watterson, "means
free trade or it means nothing"
eve will reduce the tariff step by
STEP" says Mr.. Harden, Coy. Church's
candidate for congress, ''until the odious
thing is wiped out"
When the now prosperous and thriv.
ing industries Of America are either
crippled or closed up by the monstrous
legislation proposed by tho free trade
Democracy; when the thousands Of
mill hands who, rather than work for
half the wages they are now receiving,
turn, from shere necessity, 10 agrloul.
tural pursuits for a livelihood; when our
vast population becomes dependent for
much Of its clothing and other neces-
sites upon the pauper wares and
materials of Europe, will the foreign
manufacturer have any less compass.
sion upon the consumer in the matter
Of prices than the merchant Of the
large city who ''sold a little cheaper
than the local merchant and advanced
his prices after securing d MONOPOLY oi
the trade?
The Mills bill-the Democratic meas.
ure-puts one sixth Of the products Of
our protected American industries upon
the free list, and yet it reduces customs
duties only SOL 100000. This is MOI
"tarif REFORM" it Is absolute free
trade 80 far as it goes. 1t is cutting the
cows tail off six inches at q time. 1t il
"one step" toward wiping out 9Th,
/ odious tariff" as Prof. Harden says.
The senate bill-the Republican
measure-reduces the customs dutieI
$73 1000, Cto and does not break dow
the American system Of protection. be
cause nearly the whole of this reduction
is made upon those articles which W,
do not manufacture. This is real tariff
reform-a step similar to that taken b!
the Republicans in 1883.
The New York Sun, more homes
than the other Democratic newspapers
has urged the Democratic house to nc
cept the senate tariff reform bill, pass i
and then adjourn; but the Suns advice
has been disregsrded. Both houses Q
congress have adjourned and the mem
bers have gone home. The Republi
cans have shown their willingness I,
reduce customs duties to the extent o
$12,000,OO0 more than the reductio,
provided for in the Democratic measure
The question Us to who are the rea
tariff reformers is now in the hands o
the people. Their decision will be ,end
cred one week from next Tuesday
We predict that the verdict will DO il
favor Of American industries and agains
foreign industries-in favor of the loca'
merchant and against the foreign mer
chant-and that Harrison aud Motor
will carry every northern state.
REN0uNcEs ITS FAITH.
The Fort Plain IN Wy ocrat