Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-10-04
A TARIFF LESSON.
Undsr the Vine sad Fig Tree Of Farrasr

What free tradeY
Why, the Mills bill.
Have you read it?
No.
Then how do you make out that 1t is
free trade?
Why the papers say so.
What papers7
The Republican papers-and the Repub-
lican statesmen, too.
And you put credence in such slush?
see that you have some very valuable
books here in your library bearing on this
ports, reports on commerce, on the tariff
also--now, suppose we put them to lit
tie practical use. When did we ever have
free trade" as you call it, in this coun-
try9
Oil frequently.
But when?
Well, can't say, but I've heard So
But hearing Is not always believing,
especially when demagogue is trying to
fool you out Of your vote. Then you
can't tell when we had free trade in this
country?
No.
Never. The nearest we ever came to it
was in 1889, when all interstate tariffs
were abolished, and all tariffs on foreign
goods were reduced to q nominal figure.
What do you suppose was the result1
Why, the country suffered-was ruined.
On the contrary, it took it's first step
forward, and in twenty years had about
doubled In population and quadrupled in
wealth. When did we have such tariff
laws as are contemplated by the Chicago
platform?
do not know.
In 1908. And what do you suppose was
the result?
Why the country prospered more rap
idly than ever.
Let us turn over few pages in this
book and see. In 1908 tariff duties were
made prohibitory and commerce with the
world was shut of, just as the Chicago
platform contemplates. There was a
financial and commercial collapse; there
were ruin and disaster everywhere. In
1909 the prohibitory tariff was repealed
and tariff about one-ffth as high as we
have at present was enacted. What fol-
lowed?
You may tell me.
The nation again moved of on o career
Of prosperity. In 1912 the tariff of 1900
was doubled and the war cut of importa-
market" as In 1903. What was the re-
sultP
nevePread that part of history.
Hard times prevailed, banks suspended
and there was distress everywhere. In
1916 the protection doctors took hand
and undertook to cure the patient by
framing the first protective tariff" rails
ing the taxes somewhat higher than in
1872. What do you suppose followed?
Better times.
| They grew worse; there was still a
greater depression of trade. In 1918 the
doctors gave the patient another dose Of
| protection" increased the tariff tax all
around, and then what?
am sure I do not know.
The year Of 1919 was one of universal
disaster. The country moved. slowly and
laboriously. In 1924 more tariff was put
on, and there was no Improvement. In
1928 still higher tariff tax was put on,
! and times grew little harder. In 1889
| the country changed doctors, and part
of the tariff tax was wiped out. What
| followed1
| Go on and tell me.
Business Immediately revived. In 1888
the tax was lowered again, and pros
perity increased. By the year 1887 the
| United States treasury was overHowing,
and the surplus was divided around
among the states. An era of wild specu-
lation followed the distribution; the land
bubble was blown up so largo that it
burst, and panic. ensued, the effects of
which lasted for nearly two years. Then
| things started to move of smoothly until
1949, when the protection doctors again
| got hold Of the country, and the famous
tariff Of that year was enacted. Can you
tell me what happened?
| I was always in favor Of the tariff of
40. It built up the country.
| History doesn't say 50. On the con-
trary, in 1S43 the depression was greater
than what followed the panic Of 1887, and
| from which the country had recovered.
Prices Of farm products fell of one half,
and commerce was cut In two in the mid
die. Then for the first time in the ma.
TONS history the protected few began to
get rich at the expense Of the overtaxed
many, especially ct the expense Of the
farming interest. In 1S46 the tariff Of
1643 was reduced about one half. and
what followedf
Ruin and disaster.
just tho reverse. Then for the first
time the country began to 20 forward
with giant strides. Commerce increased
| at marvellous rate. Manufactures were
imbued with new life Agriculture was
| prosperous to o degree hitherto unknown,
and the policy Of lowering tho tariff tax
toprevent the accumulation of surplus
was pursued. In 1857 panic, supcria-
duced by Wild land speculations, ensued,
but before 1858 its effects had passed
away, and up to 1860 agriculture, man,i-
features and commerce were on tho high
lido Of prosperity. and VIC successfully
! riyalod England In maritime greatness.
In 1861, to meet the exigencies of the
war, tariff taxes were raised substantially
/ to the protective basis of 1912. In 1864
these taxes wore raised so per cent, and
in 1867 they were raised again. although
tho war was over. In 1888, under the
pretense Of o reduction, they were again
increased to their present standard
Since the war tho millionaires have grown
while the great agricultural interest has
stood still. Strikes Of workingmen against
oppression have convulsed the land. Ir
1878 financial cyclone swept tho country
and impoverished countless numbers oi
people. Tramps filed the land from ocean
to ocean, and laws against tramps wert
enacted. Tho panic Of 1878 lasted unit
1879, and the suffering among our people
was equal to overcrowded Europe. Un
employed workingmen was tho rule fol
seven years. and the protected few do
manded mere tax as the remedy, while
they imported foreign paupers in foreign
ships to take the place Of American work