The Portland daily press., 1889-10-11
TWO METHODS OF TARIFF REFORM.
Senator Sherman Favors one:That
VIII Strengthen Our Industries.
Protection and Free Trade as Seen
In European Countries.
The Senator's Opening Speech In
the Campaign In ohio.

mans first speech Of the Ohio campaign was
delivered at the Wayne county fair grounds
here this noon, in the presence of very
large assemblage.
The Senator in the course Of his very able
address, spoke as follows regarding the ac-
tual issues between the two parties In the
present canvass. In the national politics the
great question is whether the policy of pro-
tecting and diversifying American industry
by our tariff laws shall be sustained and
supported by further legislation, or shall be
abandoned to return to the old policy Of in
difference or insufficient protection. This
issue was fairly met in the last campaign
upon the message Of President Cleveland,
and was decided In favor Of the Republican
policy by the vote Of nearly every Northern
State. But this policy Is constantly assailed
by the Democratic party, and will be the
chief subject Of controversy in the next
Congress. Mr.. Campbell, with some show
OF weakness, is now Committed to this
policy. He hesitated little in Congress,
ties, now in his speech at Waverly the other
day comes out squarely in favor of the Mills
bill. Now, am just as much opposed to
unjust and unnecessary taxation as Mr..
Campbell, and much more In favor Of reform
of any inequitable and iniquitous provision
of the tariff, but when reforming abuses or
reducing or repeating taxes, wish it done
so as to strengthen and build up our domes-
tic industries, and not, as he proposes, to
break them down. want to secure this re-
form by the election Of a Republican Presi-
dent instead of Democratic President. |
am in favor of tariff reform so as TO prevent
undervaluation, evasion or fraud, bat am op-
posed to the Mills bill and all kindred meas
ures to cripple American industries.
very common objection to a protective
tariff is that 1t encourages trusts and CON-
binati0ns, in restraint Of trade and produc-
tion. This Is grave mistake. Such trusts
the tariff laws. They exist in free trade
countries as well as in protective countries,
in respect to domestic productions and es-
pecially those which do not compete with
foreign productions. The largest trusts are
those founded upon patents, exclusive rights
or by great corporations strong enough to
control all establishments engaged in par
ticular industry. believe these trusts and
combinations are against public policy and
should be declared null and void. 1t Is diff
cult to deal with them by legislation, but yet
1t is the duty Of Congress and of every
State legislature to pass proper laws to
prevent these combinations. The people of
this country have not yet fully considered
the dangers that may arise from such combi-
nations. We know that they exist, but we
do not yet know how to prevent them. The
most dangerous form of these combinations
is when they are made by corporations
created by law TO conduct particular busi-
ness. Corporations are absolutely necessary
to conduct the great business Of modern
times. They are artificial bodies created
under general or special acts, with a view to
allow many individuals to Join in single
enterprise and to unite their capital to ac-
complish task too great for single indi-
vidual. When such corporations engaged
in particular business, combine together
with view to prevent competition and to
advance prices on the necessaries of life
they become the enemy Of society and should
be dealt with with a bold strong hand. The
primary object of protective tariff is 60
invite the fullest competition by individuals
and corporations in domestic production.
III such individuals or corporations combine
to advance the price Of the domestic product
and to prevent the free result of open
and fair competition would, without mo-
ments hesitation, reduce the duties ON for
eign goods competing with them, in order to
break down the combination. The effect of
open competition in domestic production has
always been and always will be to reduce
the prices l could give you statistics by the
hour to show that in every department of
domestic industry that is protected by our
tariff laws the uniform effect of competition
Is to reduce the price to the consumer to the
mere cost of production. Whenever this
free competition is evaded or avoided by
combinations of individuals or corporations
the duty should be reduced and foreign COM
petition promptly invited. Fortunately, in
muSb CdScS WlloIt pEOuuCLlOn is open 10 COM
petition, combinations and trusts are short
lived and end In bankruptcy. What the Re-
publican party seeks to accomplish Is such
protection as will induce domestic competi-
tion In every article that can be manufac-
tured or produced In this country with rea-
sonable facility. such diversity Of produc-
ti0n as will make us independent of all ma
tlons for the necessaries of life.
This Republican policy is now sanctioned
and adopted by all the Intelligent and pros
n Enrn
only excepted During a recent visit to
these countries l studied with care the re-
suit Of this polcy,sand found that prosper
ity and greatly increased production were
the invariabe result. Germany, France and
Italy have adopted the principal features Of
our tariff laws, and in each of these
countries the most remarkable improve
ments have been made, not only in the
growth OF cities and villages, but in the con-
dltion and comfort OF their working men
trade prevails. From their insular position,
their ready access to the sea, their accumu-
lated wealth, their vast colonies and de-
Tendencies, store houses Of raw materials,
their superior facilities for ship building ali
the advantages acquired after centuries of
protection, they are prepared for free trade
and ready to supply the world with their
manufactures. The time will come when
we have diversified our productions by pro-
lection, when we can compete with
markets, but to do so we must COM
mand our own markets and gradually
extend our trade relations with neighboring
countries. What we want is not only pro-
lection to all our industries, but Il stable pro.
lection, not changing with the accidents of
party contests, so that business Ihen NAV
build their workshops and give employment
to their workingmen in confidence that they
will not be wrecked by sudden changes of
tariff laws: The Democratic policy is but
feeble imitation Of English policy. The
Southern planter and the New York import
er, who dictate the policy of that party and
give it its majorities, think only of their
market for cotton and importation Of foreign
fabrics, and care nothing for the vast devel.
opment of domestic fabrics that has grown
up with marvellous rapidity in every portion
of our country under the stimulus of the
protective policy of the Republican party.
|, therefore, without any personal interest
in manufactures, but as a student and OBJ
server of the result of tariff laws, appeal to
you, who, whatever may be your party ties,
have common interest in these matters, to
stand by this policy as the one that will best
promote the prosperity Of our country and
the industries Of Our npnnla