The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-12-21
Secretary Window on the Tariff.


duce all of Mr.. WINDOWS strong
points They should be read by eY-
cry voter in the United States:
The cases are exceptional under our
Tariff in which a moderate or reas-
enable reduction of rates would re-
suit in a decrease of the revenue. As
a general rule, a reduction in the rates
of duty would increase importations
in greater proportion than the rates
are reduced, and SO increase rather
than diminish receipts, This would
be the result of any plan of horizon.
tai reduction yet proposed; thus, a
horizontal reduction of 10 or 20 per
cent. in rates might result in 20 or Sc
per cent. or even greater increase in
the volume of imports. The tendency
of this would be TO largely increase
the surplus, and, to the extent of the
increased impOrtatiOns, to deprive
American Workmen of the employ
ment which belongs to them, and cor
reSp0ndingly to reduce the price of
labor. The disastrous effects of such
policy upon the country would be
threpfold:
First-It would diminish the de-
mand for American labor and CAPT
tai by the amount of labor and capital
expended in foreign countries upon
the production of such increased i'm.
portations.
Second-It would withdraw from
active circulation here the money re.
quired to pay the duties on these in
creased importations, and thus add
to the evils of our present surplus.
Third 1t would largely increase
the adverse balance of trade with for
pign countries, and contract our cir
culation by the amount of money
necessarily exported to meet our in-
creased Indebtedness abroad.
A Tariff for revenue only contem
plates such an adjustment of duty as
will yield the largest amount of rev.
enue at the lowest rates. 1t means
the largest possible quantity of i'm
p0rtations consistent with the
amount of customs revenue required
to defray the expenses of the Gov
eminent.
If under a Protective Tariff $780,
100000 of the importations would
pay the annual revenue of 500, 000,-
900, to produce the same amount at
half the rates, under Tariff for rev.
enue only, would require 5000 000. 900
of imp0rtations. The result of this
policy, in the case supposed, would
be to take from American producers
their home market for $500, 600, 900 of
products ard transfer it to their for
eign competitors. While it would
thus deprive our Workmen of en-
ployment, it would also deplete the
country of god to pay for foreign
labor and material, which should be
supplied at home.
A Tariff based upon the difference
in the cost of labor and materials. in
this and foreign countries, will fail
of its purpose in times of Over.pro-
duction and depression in competing
countries, Foreign manufacturers
are compelled to maintain their ex-
tensiye establishments in order to
manufacture at the minimum cost.
and as this is the only country that
will buy more than is needed for
present demand. il becomes, at such
times, the dumping ground for all
manufacturing Europe. For long
time past considerable proportion,
at least of articles of certain lines of
impOriati0ns, has been of this class.
They have been sold here below. In
fact without regard to, the cost of pro-
duction, the manufacturers looking
to their own foreign markets, which
they control, for their profit.
All these conditions and practices
of trade should be carefully consider
ed in framing tariff either for the
purposes of Protection or revenue.
Whatever differences of opinion
there may be with regard to the best
method of disposing of the surplus
revenue, and preventing the accu.
mutation of money in the Treasury
beyond the proper needs of the Gov
eminent, and however diverse may
he opinions as to the abstract ques
ton of taxation for revenue purposes
customs and Intervals, there is gener-
al agreement that a revision of the
Tariff and customs laws is urgently
needed,
l believeit to be the dominant SEN
timent of the country that, in the adj
justment Of duties on imports, Pro-
lection to home industry should be