Wichita eagle., 1888-07-07
HENRY CLAY AND THE TARIFF.

! To the Editor to the Kansas City journal.
The Chicago Globe, as quoted by the
Kansas City Times, after quoting a
speech of Henry Clay in 1882. in which
he says: IF the term of seven years
We're to be selected OF the greatest pros
perity which this people have enjoyed
since the establishment of the present
constitution, it would be exactly that pc
Rod OF seven years which followed the
passage of the tariff bill of 1924" 1t
says THAT the average duty under the
tariff of 1924 was 81 1-2 per cent. of the
value of the goods"
Possibly the Chicago Globe and other
Democratic papers are ignorant on that
point; but they are more likely malicious
and Intentionally falsify with the view Of
misleading the people.
For their information and all others
interested, l respectfully submit the fol-
lowing table of the yearly average ad
valorem duty for the seven years refer
red to, as furnished by Mr. Switzler in
his report for the fiscal year 1885:
In 1925 it was 47.12 per cent; in 1925,
1929 per cent; in 1927, 50.94 per cent; in
1923, A. a per cent; in 1929, so. - per
cent: in 1880, 1913 per cent; in 1881,
A % per cent Henry Clay spoke of
what he knew, and simply uttered what
has since become a part of the Industrial
history of the country.
Against the earnest protests of Henry
Clay the Democrats, under Democratic
administration, in 1882 reduced the
tariff, just as they are now trying to do.
And from the same authority we quote
the yearly average duty from 1882 to
1887 inclusive.
In 1892 it;was 38.07 percent; Gin 1893,
$3.50 per cent; 1884. 2l.63 per cent; III
1885, 2l.26 per cent; in 1886, 2951 per
cent, and in 1881, 49, % per cent.
Comment is unnecessary. We all know
what occurred in 1887. II it was true.
as Henry Clay said, that great prosperity
resulted from high tariff system, the
natural sequence would be great bust
ness distress with low tariff The re-
suit proved the deduction correct.
Would the same results follow reduc-
ton of the tariff now? Let every Amer
lean ponder the question well
In 1880, under the high tariff OF 1924.
our foreign imports, not including gold
and silver, had been reduced TO $500
0J9: while in 1881. under the low range
of tariff, our foreign imports, inclusive
of coin, reached the startling amount Of
$15s, S11, 362
What an enormous trade we gave 10
foreigners during that period, and what
q reckoning we had at the end Of the
period. Would not the same causes pro-
duce the same effects now?
The Democrats and free
traders howl about the pres
ent high rates Of duty. They
are not high. but very low compared
with the era of prosperity referred to by
Henry Clay.
In 1880 the average rate on all foreign
imports exclusive OF gold ana silver, was
29.i per cent: in 1881, 29.!s3 per cent;
IL 1SS2, 30.11S per cent; in 1883, 30.0j5
per cent: in 1884, $500 per cent; in
1885. 80. 741 per cent.
In his report fox the fiscal year of 1857,
Mr. Switzler did not favor US with that
kind of information, but the rate has
been about the same for 1855 and lss7.
For the first two years foreign imports
have been on the increase, and when
have we experienced a period OF general
business dizziness more depressing than
the past two years: Indeed, the whole
period of the present administration.
which promised 50 much, has been
marked BY exceeding dulluess- Do you
want to reduce the duty on the Demo
cratic free-trade plan and repeat the OK
psrience Of 1887. 4. j. a