The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-08-09

DtlOTe proceeding W CApIulu tAc pm,
ciples and provisions OF the bill which l
introduced, as it affects the tariff, ] will
stop to refer to few Of the fundamental
PROPOSITIONS which have been persistent
" maintained throughout this debate,
and which appear to exercise q control
ling influence over the opinions OF so
many.
First, That duties are always added to
the price which which the consumer
must pay. -.
on articles not produced in this Conn,
try this is doubtless true, rs general
rule, and measurably true also on ar'i.
Giles in part produced in this country but
not sufficiently to supply the entire de-
mand. But on all those commodities
produced in Observation-Disclosures to sup
plv, or measurably supply the home
market, different principles control. In
that case competition, where it is free to
operate, determines the prices OF the va
rious products and the foreign producer
comes to this as market where prices
are fixed, and the duties are what he
pays for the privilege OF entering our
market. LApplause.1
Another erroneous proposition is that
duties on articles produced in this coun-
try are a tax or bounty which the CON
sumner pays to the manufacturer, by
means OF which the manufacturer de-
rives larger profits than prevail in other
industries.
II this were true it is not easy to sec
what justification could be offered lor
the committee bill any more than Tor
the present tariff laws. But that this,
us a general rule, is erroneous becomes
apparent enough on closer eSamina.
ton of the laws OF trade which prevail
under all systems.
That there is tendency in every in,
dustrial system to an equalization OF
profits on capital and wages Of labor is
an admitted principle OF political eCono'
nv. Adam Smith long ago laid down
the proposition that larger profits in one
industry than in others could not long
prevail in the same country. other
economists state the same principle.
Suppose that, with our industries con:
stitnted as they are, We formed world
bv ourselves, would it be claimed that
one class, us Consumers, paid perpetual
tax to another class, as producers
| Would not rather the economic law Just
stated prevail? Such would be the con-
dition, too. under tariff entirely pro-
hibitorv. The SAME law operates under
a tariff that covers the difference in the
cost of production between this and
other counties.
OF course the tendency to m equaIiZa-
ton Of profits on capital and wages OF
labor never reaches dcad-level, be-
cause Of the varying condition and intlu.
ences under which the production and
consumption 90 on.
From these painciplcs it follows that
all who participate in an industrial! sys-
TEN are partakers OF its benefits, wheth-
err they are employed in one industry or
anotler-not the manufacturer alone,
but the laborer; in short, all who pro-
ducc and exchange products are alike
benefited under this system, and that is
the system seek to continue by proper
adjustment of tariff duties. Only those
who have fixed incomes or are in office
Tor life with fixed salaries, would be
benefited by the overthrow OF this sys-
TEN and tie establishment ol Free
Trade. But this is the last class that baH
right to complain.
Time was when Mr.. Randall was
looked up to by Democrats as a man OF
brains fit to be the leader which his
party made him. Now hisparty regards
him as no better than a Republican. 1t
is true that the Randall Democrats have
been read out OF the Democratic party,
and their going looks like the movement
of mighty host. They are swellingtbe
ranks Of Protection, and whether they
ever go back to the Democratic party
depends entirely upon the ability ofthat
party to profit by the sad experience
which the approaching election has in
store for it.