Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-08-02
The Buu RIM of 1888.

44c Dull hud VI 1000.
1t has pleased some of our Demo-
cratic friends to claim a disaffection
among the German Republicans; but
Cleveland cannot pull British wool over
the eye of the Dutchman. The Illinois
Stats Zeitung has this to say of the
Mills Tariff bill:
On July 81, 1861, at Bull Run, was
fought the first battle of the four years
civil war; it was a defeat for the North.
Twenty-seven years later, on the same
day, bloodless battle was fought in
the House of Representatives of the re-
united Nation; this also was victory
for the South democratic party. a
Bull Run for the North.
For this is the real meaning of the
passage of tie Mills tariff bill.
In the closing speech which Mr.. Mills
delivered he explained in great detail
that his measure was in no sense d
purely free-trade bill. And in that he
is quite right. For with all the chang
es and additions which were made
while it was being discussed in the
House, the ''Mils bill'' means nothing
more than strong tariff protection for
the South and destruction of the tariff
for the North.
Even the last moments of the dis
cuSsion were used to provide that no
Southern industry should be IDprO-
tected. Every raw article that is raised
or can be raised in the South, was re-
moved from the list of free wares. But
on all the articles and wares that are
raised in the North, though they paid
81 for every mark, every franc, or
every shilling of labor that it would cost
to produce it in Europe, South America
or Australia, the tariff was removed.
There are, among our readers, without
doubt, number of peculiar enthusi-
asts, who go wild over sO-called free
traie;" not because they have made a
study of the meaning, purpose and
working of the same in single instances.
but because they so clearly see the four
letters, free. Their entire proof con-
sists in the short question that they
put, and the answer that they give
themselves: lis not freedom something
beautiful? Certainly, and therefore
free trade is also beautiful. The
same method of proof would be con-
vincing that the freebooter and free
fight" were also beautiful. But, aside
from this, We will endeavor to prove to
the peculiar enthusiasts of the Mills
bill that it is not free-trade measure.
but what he endeavored to hide-name-
ly, protective tariff for the South.
The apparent endeavor to decrease
the National revenues proves to be a
gross swindle. According to the
figures of the author of the bill. the re-
ductiOn of the revenue receipts under
the Mills tariff would not amount to
more than S20,OOO,0OO. On the other
hand the simple removal of the protec-
tive tariff in the interest of a few
planters in Louisiana. would increase
this reduction from $50 900, 600 to $780,
100000, thereby securing what was
said to be the real advantage of the bill
The bill will go to the Senate. 1t is
said this body will prepare a substitute,
which, while protecting the revenue on
all branches of industry which without
protection would go to the ground or
be crippled, will effect reduction of
the tariff in more widespread manner
than that suggested by the Mills bill.
A true, genuine and just tariff con-
sists, first. in the introduction of absO-
lutte free trade for all such stuffs and
articles which are not raised in the
United States at all or in small meas
ure only (say one-tenth of the total sale,
such as sugar; secondly, in the adjust
ment of the productive powers of all
such evidences of human labor which
our own country produces in a raw
state in such richness and large guam
titles. Every duty that is higher than
is necessary for the adjustment or
equalization of such producing powers
is an evil, and must be cut down to the
proper standard.
This is the tariff reform that appeals
to every sensible, liberal-minded and
unprejudiced man as the only desirable
one. 1t is not Democratic, not Repub-
lican, but simple and sensible. But
the swindle-refOrm, such as the Mills
bill Tariff for the South,' would, if it
became law, have no other effect than
to
l. Destroy a number of the indus
tries of the North,
2. Reduce the price of labor at least
one-half in industries that were not de- |
stroyed,
3. Drive hundreds Of thousands of |
laborers and workmen to farming and |
cattle-raising, and
4. Thereby reduce the price of bread
stuffS or meats. WHICH Europe will not |
buy, to very low figure, and destroy
the prices on all agricultural produc-
tons. such as grain and cattle, thereby
impoverishing the farmers, who are
badly enough off with the present
prices. to the state of The peasants in
Roumania, made poor by British free
trade.