Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-07-28

has attracted such general attention and
has cut SO deep into the rotten carcass Of
the z. o. p. that We have been prevailed
upon to reproduce it; and here it is:
TARIFF AND TREASURY SURPLUS.
The prevention Of the accumulation OF
a surplus in the National Treasury, as far
rs the tariff is concerned, strangely enough,
could be accomplished by two extreme
measures, Numerically opposed to each
other, yet tending exactly 20 the same re-
suits, either Of which would be inimicai
to the interests of the people at large,
One, tie imposition of tariff SO high
that il becomes prohibitory, the other alb
solute free trade. The former enabling
the manufacturers to name their own prices
which the great majority, the consumers,
would be compelled to pay, the latter en-
abling the consumer to the purchase In the
cheapest market, which, however,
would be an injustice TO
the minority, the manufacturers, inasmuch
as ID would in some instances prevent them
from successfully competing with those
employing cheaper labor Between these
tvo extremes lies the field of Tariff Re
form, in which the interssts of all classes
can be studied and adjusted in q
spirit of fairness, as is contemplated and
advocated in the message OF President
Cleveland. Could we divest ourselves OF
all selfishness, and he willing to make
small individual sacrifices for the cake OF
the pablic good, all would be easy, and
that end soon attained.
The writer believes, that with very few
exceptions, the admission of raw material
free of duty would result in the greatest
good to the greatest number, stimulating
trade, and benefit to manufacturers,
without corresponding loss TO the con-
sumner, who would in the reduced price of
the manufactured article he greatly bene-
flied with little or no loss to the producers
of the like material. Why has wool COM
handed the best prices when the tariff was
low? Why were 100000 sheep slaught-
cred when the tariff on
wool was the highes!? Why has
the hemp growing industry steadily
decreased in spite of tariff of $25 per ton,
and the same duty on MANILA which We
do not grow2 Why does not the sugar in
dustry largely increase with tariff rang
ing from 2,5 to 81 cents per pound, in
creasing the price to the consumer to that
extent aud collecting a revenue on import
ed sugars that would amount to about %
cents per pound on all that Is grown in the
South The farmer and laborer could we'll
dispense with this kind of protection II he
were not robbed by the Unsuitable greed of
the manufacturers, who have controlled
this government for over twenty years. At
last, after the promise OF both parties OF
tariff reform, as set forth 10 their plat
forms of 1880 and 1884, the farmers and
advocates OF the Mills bill are endeavoring
to remedy these crying evils, and carry out
their pledges made TO the people, but are
meeting with the most bitter opposition
from the advocates of so-called protection
to American labor. Why not tell the
truth, and call il protection Of American
manufacturers in whose pockets stop nine
tenths of this vast sum wrung from the
consumer?
The sum of $50, 600, 900 annually raised
above the needs Of the government, which
we Americans in our patriotism might
willingly pay into the treasury as tariff, is
a small sum compared to the sum paid as
| a tribute to the manufacturers in the name
of protection, and made possible only by
that protection. In addition to the in
cteased price of the goods which are put
up Just below the price on which they can
come in including the tariff, it enables
them to combine with each other, ran
when they please and shut down when
they please resulting in occupation to the
employee little more than half the time,
who would in that case need nearly double
wages to make both ends meet.
The writer is in favor of tariff for pro-
lection first, but would jealously guard
the interests of the consumer, by seeing
that the protection ia only sufficient to
give the manufacturers fair profit. The
writer is nominally farmer, bat has fully
"a much invested in manufacturing aud
other enterprises "a in farming; in one
branch of which he has made profit of 80
per cent per annum for five Yeas, while in
the farming business he has realized or 5
per cent Is it not then the bounden duty
of sli voters to call halt. and without To
spect to party lines or party preJudlces,
look into this matter, and draw line be-
tween simple protection of American in.
dustry and labor, and tribute to manu-
facturers, with all its concomitant evils Of
trusts, rings and monOpolies. outgrowths
of this insane, selfish policy, which is rapid
" cutting MS off from all foreign markets
in which to sell our surplus products, and
has in 25 years almost wiped ont our mer-
chant marine?
The tariff question is largely question
of locality and not strictly party princi-
pie; therefore all prejudices should be laid
aside, and every vote cast for reform Of
these evils IN spirit of fairness to all
classes.
Let no one be scared by the epithet,
Mugwump They will form very strong
and respectable party in the coming cam
-. Il IL z