The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-10-18
SOME TARIFF HISTORY.
What High Taxation Has Done for,
Against the Country.

AS8InBt the country
In his New York address Mr.. Blaine
devoted himself chiefly to the tariff
history Of the country. In one aspect
OF the matter this was wise proceed
ing, for he escaped thereby several
troublesome topics. While he scared
aloft in eulogy of protection and war
tariffs he could not, OF course, keep
near enough the ground to explain
why he voted in Congress for free coal
and free lumber. Neither could he be
expected to discuss the labor question
in the light of his showing, when Sec
retary OF State, that 1.-The inequalities
in the wages of English and American
operatives are more than equalized By
the greater efficiency Of the latter"
For the same reason he was able to set
trusts" and ..free whisky" one side
and to leave the political revolution"
in Maine unconsidered.
But in view Of the possibility that he
may again take refuge in q garbled
history Of the tariff we present here
with brief and succinct summary of
the tariffs OF the past and what they
have done for. or against, the country.
l78o-Aboltion OF all Interstate tariffs and re-
duction OF State tariffs on foreign goods,
followed by rapid increase OF prosperity.
iS06-Ahsolute prohibition OF all importations,
followed by universal disaster.
lNo-Repeal Of prohibition, followed By renew
nj Of prosperity.
lei9-Ihe tariff doubled and all importations
stopped hy the war. Result. hard times
over the whole country; general suspension
OF banks. and such suffering In New En-
gland that secession was threatened.
iS16-A protect We tar n adopted-in some things
higher thar hat Of lSl2, although In some
things lower. This was the first tarth which
was framed all through upon principle OF
protection. The protectionists themselves
always say that IL was followed by great
depression in trade.
.Sls-This tariff made still moro protective: and
Che protectonists always refer 10 the year
1919 rs one Of great disaster
:6:1-A higher tarifl. followed by great depres-
sion Ia the protected manufactures, and
certainly without one cent OF increase in
wages.
lsss-A very high protective taritf, immediate
~ followed by hard times In 1S2a and low
wages SO long as this tariH existed.
lB32-No free trade" ut all: but slight re-
duction Of the tariY, followed by improve
ment in business.
l63S-A gradual reduction OF the tarin, leaving
II still SO high that an enormous surplus
accumulated In The Treasury, which was
distributed among the States In 1887. This
distribution was Immediately followed by
the famous panic OF 1881, which was the di-
rect result OF wild land speculation all over
the country, brought about largely by the
surplus.
l64s-Pro.cctive tariff restored, followed by
one year tl8is, Of the greatest stagnat on
Of business ever known; while during the
whole existence OF this tarin farm wages
were cut down about one-half from what
they had been even after the panic OF 1887.
and wheat corn and cotton sold at prices
| disastrous to farmers and planters. Good
times and fat profits for iron, cotton and
woolen-mi:l owners; bad times for every
enc else.
to one-half. Result, an immense increase
in commerce and shipping. rapid increase
/ In manufactures, unprecedented prosperity
In agriculture. and the most rapid advance
In wages ever known In the history OF the
country before or since.
/ 1Gs-Even under the low tarin OF 1886 the
/ revenue had become excessive and . sur
plus accumulated. In order to get rid o
this surplus the tariff was reduced in July,
| but in September, be ore the new tart1
could have the least effect, the short panic
| Of 1857 occurred rs the result Of another
Wild land speculation. combined partially
with the failure Of crops. BY 1853 however.
almost the whole effect OF the panic had
| passed. away, and In 1859 and 1860 agricuit.
| ure. commerce and manufactures we're all
more prosperous than they ever had been
before.
| is6l-A protective tariff. constantly increas-
ing until 1867. According TO protectionist
logic the result was our terrible civil war,
| because this as matter OF fast immedi-
1 ately followed the new tariff. For more
than year after the adoption Of this pro.
tactiye tariff the business OF the country
was in fearfully depressed condition.
1So4-Tari& raised fifty per cent. Manufactur
crs madc fortunes for three years. Wages,
IN gold, lower than ever.
/ 1Ss7-Great increase In tarifi on wool. Result,
immediate slaughter OF s00,0O sheep, re-
dnction OF wool product and ruin OF many
woolen factories. The years 1867, 1865 and
1860 were periods OF great depression IN
business, and especially Ia manufactures.
in 1868 the protection sts themselves do
clarcd that there we're more unemployed
worsmcn than had ever before been known.
te7o-Slight reduc tion in the tariff and consid.
cradle reduction IA taxation generally. A
q result business improved considerably.
But the tariff teng still maintained IN oil
! its protective features, the great panic oil
| panic OF 1887, ana which lasted for more
than five times as long . period. From
/ September, lS7a until January. 1873. the
/ business of the country was moro de.
pressed. and more laborers driven out o1
employment. than in any other period Of the
country's history. So far from their being
stwenty-seven years OF prosperity" under
the last protective tariff, fully halt OF thai
time has been . period OF extraordinary
business depression. especially marked BY
falling wages, aud the wholesale discharge
OF laborers from employment. This Wa!
especially the case in 1861, 1867, 1865, 1859
1S7a 1874, 1873 1876, 1877 and 1873.
lS83-Pretended reduction, but real increase II
tariff. Wages cut down everywhere l,
| factories and mines. Great panic OF May
1881. leaving depres sion for two years.
As q corrective for Mr.. Blaine's pos
sible misstatements Of tariff histor,
this little compilation. the work o
Hon. Thomas &. Shearman, will b,
found invaluable. We suggest to ever,
attendant upon the Blaine meeting tina
he take copy with him.-Detrot FIRE.
Press.