New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-20
IN UPHOLD PROTECTION.

One section of the Democratic party pro
noses to meet the tariff issue creditabiy' IL
has organized tariff reform clubs, and lnoehuS
to multiply them. Through these CLUBS IL III,
tends to place before voters in every parV VI
the country, documents purporting TO sho"
what the tariff costs each voter The state
ments thus furnished may not be accurate in
fact, they are extremely likely to be taise' b"'
the endeavor to prepare the people by larger
information to vote intelligently on the tariff
question hereafter is one which deserves COM
mendation.
Are the advocates of protection equally IN
earnest and equally sensible? II so, they VIII
not only form clubs, circulate papers and DOC
uments and strive to educate the people DuV
thew will do some other things. For this Is
the time not only to teach the voters what coca
the tariff has done, but to make 1t do greaO
deal more good. If it has defects, this is the
time to cure tl&n. If its benefits are taken
from the people to whom they belong BY any
syndicates or combinations this is the time 10
break down such monopolies, and if necessary
10 so modify the laws that they can no longer
be maintained
The principles of protection are already
understood by a large proportion OF the voters
and are becoming more widely understood every
year. But there is the greatest need OF fuller
information in regard to the practical work
inRs of the tariff, and particularly in regard TO
the prices of products of projected industries
in this and other countries. Such facts as
those given ON Tuesday respecting the price oil
salt IL more widely known six months ago.
would have saved many persons from Young
AGAINST American industries. Similar informa-
ton could be presented in regard to glass, cut
Iery. tools, agricultural implements, boots and
shoes, most kinds Of clothing, and great va
riety of articles in universal use. II it were
known how greatly the prices Of these products
had been reduced in consequence OF the de-
yelopment of home industries, and how cheap
they are here in comparison with the price In
other countries, there would be far less opposi-
ton than there now Is to the protective policy.
Legislation 10 cure defects Of the tariff Will
probably not be possible before next winter.
But there ought to be ripening Of public opin-
ion this summer in favor Of the precise changes
which are most needed, and to that end facts
should be placed before the voters persistently
A great deal can be done meanwhile to remedy
those defects in the tariff which have been
caused by false rulings Of the Treasury Depart
nent. The new Administration has hardly any
more important duty than this and it is one
which need not be long deferred. The pro-
auctions of home industry, 1t is safe to say,
could be increased by more than $50, o00, 900,
sum which would represent the wages Of
100000 more capable workers, by changes
which ought TO be made in constructions of the
law by the Treasury Department.
The disposition to defeat the tariff by com
binaaons Of producers who are benefited by il
is one which should be met without compro-
mise or mercy. The people have not upheld
the principles Of protection for the purpose Of
giving great fortunes to few favored indi-
viduals. II the persons engaged in the pro
tected industries are not willing to meet that
free home competition which It is the express
object of protection to encourage, they ought
to get out of the business. The full force OF
public opinion and of the laws should be
brought to bear upon every such attempt tC
deprive the country of the legitimate fruits
nf nro}action