The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-12-05

plus, and, to the extent Of the increased
impoftations, to deprive American work
men OF the employment which belongs
to them, and coFrespondingly 10 reduce
the price OF labor, The disastrous effects
Of such q policy upon the country would
be threefold-
First-It would diminish the demand
for American labor and capital by the
amount Of labor aud capital expended in
foreign countries upon the production oil
such increased imporlations.
seCond-lt would withdraw from &C.
tive circulation here the money required
TO pay the duties on these increased i'm
poFtations, and thus add to the evils Of
our present surplus.
Thlrd-It would largely increase the
adverse balance OF trade with foreign
countries, and contract our circulation
by the amount Of money necessarily ex,
ported to meet our increased indebted
ness abroad,
TARIFF FOR REVENUE ONLY,
A tariff for revenue only contemplates
such an adjustment OF duty as will yield
the largest amount Of revenue at the
lowest rates. 1t means the largest
possible quantity Of importations con-
sistent with the amount Of customs rev.
enue required to defray the expenses OF
the Government,
II, under protective tariff, $500, 000,-
900 OF inpOrtations would pay an an
nual revenue OF Sl00, 900 900, 10 produce
the same amount at hall the rates, under
tariff for revenue only, would require
S6O0, 0OO, 900 Of importations. The result
OF this pellcy, in the case supposed,
would be to take from American pro.
duCers their home market for $500, 6O0,-
900 Of products and transfer 1t to their
foreign competitors. While II would
thua deprive our workmen OF employ
ment, II would also deplete the country
OF gold TO pay for foreign labor and ma
terlal, which should be supplied at
home,
PRACTICES or TRADE AFFECTING TARIFP.
A tariff based upon the difference in
the cost OF labor and materials, In this
and foreign countries, will fail OF It's pur-
pose In times Of over-production aud de-
preston In competing countries. For.
eign manufacturers are compelled to
maintain their extensive establishments
In order to manufacture at the minu-
mum cost, and Us this Is the only coun-
try that will buy more than Is needed
for present demand, 1t becomes, at such
times, the dumping.grouud for all man.
ulacturing Europe. For a long time
past a considerable portion, at least OF
articles Of certain lines OF ilnportations,
have been OF this class. They have been
sold here below, 10 fact without regard
to, the cost OF production, the InanufaC-
turers looking to their own aud foreign
markets, which they control, for their
profit,
All these conditions and practices Of
trade should be carefully considered 10
framing Il tariff either for the purposes OF
protection or revenue.
REVISION or THE TARIFF.
Whatever differences OF opinion There
may be with regard to the best method
OF dlspOsing Of the surplus revenue, and
preventing the accumulation OF money
In the treasury beyond the proper needs
OF the Government, and however diverse
may be opinions as TO the abstract ques.
ton OF taxation for revenue purposes.
customs and internal, there IL general
agreement that revision OF the tariff
and customs laws 10 urgently needed.
| believe II to b. the dominant senti-
ment oil the country that, In the adjust
lnent Of duties on imports, protection 10
home industry should DO a governing
consideration. While there Is a wide
divergence OF judgment on this PROPOSE.
ton, II can not well be denied that II ia
the settled policy OF this Government
that such duties shall be so levied as to
result In the protection Of labor, EN-.
ployed Ia domestic industries, from des.
tructive foreign competition.
One OF the fundamental objects in
the leVying Of duties on imports, declared
in the preamble OF the first tariff act
passed by Congress In 1859, was the en-
couragement and protection OF manuiac.
lures. The doctrine thus proclaimed
has broadened with our advancing civil
ization aud growth, and its wisdom has ,
been demonstrated by tho marvellous
development OF those industries, protec.
ted by the high duties, demanded by the
necessities Of the Government incident
10 civil war.
1t should, however, DO remembered
that the primo object In the imposition
OF these high duties was the raising OF
revenue, aud rates were adjusted to that
end, rather than TO the protection and
development Of domestic industries. 1t
came about, therefore, that the measure
OF protection was CapriCiOps and I'm.
equal, and some industrieS were greatly
prospered, while others, equally favored
by natural resources and conditions,
either languished or failed Of develop.
ment.
INEQUALITIES.
Theta,ifr act NJ 1899, una bos,,,v ann.