The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-23
Facts Presented by Mr.. Carlisle.


The tariff debate which closed last week
was the greatest that has taken place in Con-
gress for many years The whole subject
was carefully and extensively discussed,
and il would be difficult to fad phase OF
it that was not inteIli gently presented in one
shape or another. Some Of the speeches
were great ones, and have had and will cons
tinue to have, a very marked effect upon
the tariff sentiment Of the country.
1t will not be disputed that the greatest
of all of the speeches is that of Mr. Carlisle.
1t shows a thorough acquaintance with the
entire subject Of the tariff. 1t will bear
careful study. and the more it is studied
the moro profound viii the impression be
which it produces.
His reference to New England in connec-
ton with the tariff is, in itself, sufficient to
convince any one, who is open to convic-
ton, that the position of the tariff reform
ers is impregnable. He points out that
the highest rates of duty imposed upon any
class of WOODEN, cotton, leather or hardware
goods by the tariff act of 1916 was 30 per
cent The same vehement protests were
made against that act by New England
Congressman that the Congressman from
that section are making against the Mills
bill now. All of them, except two or three
from Maine, voted against it. 1t became
a law, however, and what was the results
Why, after it had been in operation
eleven years every New England Congress
man except two, and they we're not present,
voted for furth er, and almost uniform,
reduction of 20 per cent. from what they
called the ruinous reduction of 1916. And
why did they do 500 Because the reduction
of 1916 had been followed by remarkable
prosperity in all kinds of manufacturing in
dustries.
The additional reduction of 20 per cent
was made, and what the protectonists now
call the free trade period was inaugurated
Was that period a prosperous one! Win
any protectionists deny that it wasi Ac-
cording to the figures furnished by Mr..
Carlisle all wooden manufactures increased
more than AZ per cent, the increase in the
number of operatives employed was 81 per
cent, the increase in the value of wooden
products in New England was G2 per cent
the increase in value Of cotton goods manu-
featured was 81 per cent, and the value of
the product of boots and shoes in New
England in 1860 under the low tariff was
greater than the value of the same product
in the whole country in 1850.
Arguing from the results of the low tariff
which prevailed from 1850 to 1860, Mr..
Carlisle predicts that if the Mills bill should
become a law, the effect of it would be so
beneficial that New Eng land would soon be
clamoring for a still further reduction,
and, Judging from what followed the
enactment of the tariff of 1916, he is right.
There is another point in the Carlisle
speech which is we'll worth attention 1t is
that during the low tariff period there was
no disposition to establish trusts which pre-
vent competition, and great fortunes we're
not made in few years as at present.
Workmen were not walking the streets de-
manding work or bread, and there was re-
markable freedom from strikes and boy
colts Workmen were happy and contented,
and manufacturing industries were in a
flourishing condition. If Mr.. Carlisle's
speech does not make votes among the Re-
publicans for the Mills bill, it will be be-
cause the party whip prevents them
from voting in accordance with their
convictions.