Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-08-01
THEY ARE FREE TRADERS.

Brother Mills and the rest of the
free trade crew are making hysterical
efforts to get under false colors--since
they heard from Oregon-by claiming
that the Mills bill reduces the tariff
duties only seven per centum. Does
that look like free trader was the inn
pudent question Of Mr.. Mills himself
on the Fourth Of July in New York
City. after ne had analysed bis bill. He
and his friends are afraid Of the
issue that they have made, and
now, like their predecessors OF 1874,
they are classifying their purpose every
time that they open their vociferous
Jaws. Some Of them, those chat have
never heard OF Professor Sumner,
probably believe that they are not free
traders; but they are nevertheless
Professor Sumner says that England
has practical free trade, notwithstand-
ing it's limited schedule ofduties on
imports, for the reason, as he says,
that when a duty isnot high enough to
induce men to start new works
or industries, it is in fact free trade
This is precisely the ground which the
protectionists take in respect TO the
Mills bill. What matters it that the
billsdoes reduce the schedule Of duties
only seven per centum, if that reduc,
ton is enough 70 prevent American
manufactures from competing longer
with the English industries? .a
But the whole scope of tho bill,
its inception, history and purpose, is
free trade. 1t had its birth and re-
oeived nearly all Of its support from
the section OF the country that went
into secession for the sake of free trade.
1t was Congressman George d, Till
man Of South Carolina, who said only
a few months ago: "Was it not our in
temperate zeal for free trade that led
to notification and was it not as
much to enjoy free trade as
to protect slavery that South
Carolina seeded in 1902 II
was. 1t was. And did not your re-
straint, your suppression Of the truth
in 1914, enable you to elect Polk
and Dallas? But more than this. The
constitution Of the seceders provided
for free trade, pure and simple. 1t said:
s'The Congress shall have power to lay
and collect taxes, duties, imports and
excuses for revenue, but no bounties
shall be granted from the Treasury
nor shall any duties or taxes on inn
portations from foreign nations be laid
70 promote or foster any branch Of
industry"
The bill itself tells what they will
do in the event that the Mills bill sue.
ceeds now. 1t provides for free trade
rs follows
Free trade in lumber which we pro
duce to the value of 100000, 900 an
nualIy.
Free trade in wool. Of which we
produce 300, 100000 pounds annually.
Free trade in salt. of which we pro-
duce nearly 100000 bushels an
nuslly.
Free trade in fax, hemp, jute and
other fibres.
Free trade in cement, potash, liml
and brick.
Free trade in meats, game, poultry
Free trade in vegetables, peas and
beans.
Free trade in stone.
Free trade in at least 100 other arti
Giles produced in this country, most o
which would be produced in sufficien
quantities for home consumption i
properly protected.
The purpose of it all is unders TODD
Even our English cousins, usually 81
dull in respect to American politics
appreciate the full force OF the bill
Thus not an English journal of any re
pute or importance has failed to speal
Of the project as a free trade scheme
They are all looking forward hopefully