Iron County register., 1888-01-26
Murrayville, ILL.,, Jan. 15, 1888
Caiahan's Tariff Views.

There is not another subject more
talked of and less understood than the
tariff, and yet there is not another sub
ject that is more clearly defined in the
Federal Constitution. 1t is true that
the word tariff does not occur in that
instrument, and it is just as true that
it does not specify by what mode ma
tiopal revenue shall be raised. 1t
leaves the question of ways and means
open to the choice of the people.
The administration of Oliver Crom-
well in England settled the financial
fact that as means of raisiug national
revenue, there was no other equal to
pro rata taxation bearing on the willing
and unwilling alike.
The trainers of our Constitution ac-
cepted that fact, but left open the
choice between direct and indirect tax
alton.
Great Britain has free trade and rails
es her revenue by direct taxation.
Among US direct taxation is generally
objectionable, SO that the bulk of our
national revenue comes from duties
assessed on articles imported and few
matters of home production.
The point to which we first call at
tention to is that while the Constitu-
ton proyides that adequate national
revenue shall be provided, it leaves II
to be furnished either by direct or indi-
rect taxation as the people may elect.
Section says Congress shall have
power to levy and collect taxes. duties,
imports and excises. These may i'll
clude either foreign or domestic pro-
ductions or both. And if the people
elect direct taxation then Art. l, Sec. 2,
says: " Representatives. and direct
taxes shall be apportioned among the
several states, which may be included
within this union according to their
respective numbers"
That is an estimate of national ex-
penses for coming year is to be made
and that sum is divided pro rata
and means to raise it. If the people
choose indirect taxation, then it says
that all duties, imports and excises shall
be uniform throughout the United
States
There is point here which we have
never seen raised. 1t is this: the last
mentioned requirement In regard to
uniformity binds the stats in assess
ing direct taxes and forbids exemption
or the preference of any one industry
over another. 1t also binds Congress
in assessing indirect taxes and forbids
the exemption or favoring of any one
industry over another. The equity in
all cases is clearly this: That whether
the people elect 10 raise national reve-
nue. by direct or indirect taxation, ev-
cry interest that enjoys the protection
rata to its support. That no industry
| be exempt and none burdened.
There is another point deserving no.
! tice, which is in favor of indirect taxa
ton as source of revenue. The direct
taxes are levied in a stated sum on
each state and raised by state taxes
from the people. Now if state secedes
| its part of the national revenue will not
materialize. and as free trade involves
direct taxation it will not be difficult
to see how a secesslonist becomes free
trader. When secession fires into the
war office, free trade fires into the
treasury by Withholding the quota ol
revenue. Under tariff the national
revenue comes first. and if it is mol
paid the goods can be sold and pay.
ment made.
But this does not affect the question
of a tariff. The initial idea Of our gov
ernment is equal rights to all, titled
privileges to none. In his letter ol
transmissal to the president of Con-
gress, General Washington, as presi-
dent of the Constitutional Convention,
attaches special Importance to the fact
that the Constitution was compro-
mise document, providing for all inter-
ests concerned, without injury to any.
Some years ago the eslave-holding inter-
est undertook to dictate to the nation.
and it cost us three billions Of dollars