The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1889-11-04
HousEkEEPERs AND THE
TARIFF.
How the Mckinley Bill Has
Robbed American Purchas-
ers of the Benefit of De-

creased Prices.
A large dry goods firm in New
York has taken the pains to collect
samples and publish the prices of
various lines of goods affected by
the Mckinley act, showing how
prices are higher now than they
were before that act was passed.
The samples and figures show also
that the new tariff prevents our
people from getting the benefit of
the lower prices abroad caused by
improved processes of manufact-
ure. A worsted coating, for ex-
ample, used by laoorers for Sun
day suits cost abroad 81 in 1888
and 81 cents in 1892. In 1888 the
duty was 81 per cent. and the net
cost Of the cloth when landed in
New York was $l.67. In 1892 the
duty is lis per cent. and the net
cost when lauded is $1S3. The
foreign cost has fallen 16 cents in
five years, but the high Mckinley
duty forces the poor man to pay
16 cents abroad five years ago, and
costs abroad AZ cents a yard now.
The tariff rate in 1888 was 65 per
cent, so that the cloth stood to the
importer at $1.01 a yard. But now
the tariff is 141 per cent. and the
same stuff is enhanced in price
when it leaves the Custom-house
up to 81. G5 a yard. The American
consumer does not find the price
of these goods reduced here as fast
as they are reduced abroad. This
follows from the fact that the OBJ
ject of Mr.. Mckinley, as he himself
said, was TO keep up prices or to
raise them. In introducing his
tariff bill in the House he used
these words: "Your committee
have not sought by the proposed
legislation to further cut down
prices, but TO provide with certain
ty against that increasing compe-
tition from other countries. We
have not believed that our people,
already suffering frsm low prices,
can or will be satisfied with legis-
lation which will result in lower
prices BY 'our people" Mr..
Mckinley meant the manufac-
turers, not the masses, to whom
every reduction of prices is vel
come.
The importing firm shows that
Italian cloth, used to line working
mems winter coats, cost thirty
cents abroad in 1889, and twenty
seven cents now. Under the old
tariff it got ashore at fifty two
cents; under the new at sixty-eight
cents, paying a duty of 123 per
cent. The satin, however, used in
fine overcoats, such as Mr.. McKin-
ley wears, paws but 80 per cent.
duty, or less than half what the
poor mans lining pays. On black
alpaca used by laborers' wives for
dresses, the duty has been raised
from SO per cent. to lis per cent,
while such as the rich wear pays
but 80 per cent. The price is lower
abroad but higher here than in
1889. The same is to be saId of
block cashmere, which is seventeen
and one-fourth cents yard, and is
two cents yard cheaper abroad
now than in 1899, but costs in New
York thirty-six ard one half cents
yard by The time it gets out of
the custs4-house, or three cents
more than in 1880. A great many
varieties of women's dress goods
tell the same story-tbat prices are
higher, and that the poor bear the
heavier burden. A sample is shown
of all wool goods, just what the
poor man would wish fer winter
suit, selling in England at forty
five cents yard, but paying under
the new tariff a duty of sixty-fve
cents yard. With freight, COM
missions and other charges added
it must be sold at Sl.45 yard.
The present tariff on wool makes
such goods cost our manufacturers
30 much that they can not sell
them for less than about $500 a
yard. Shoddy goods, accordingly,
is what it pays them best to make,
or wooden" goods, consisting
largely of cotton.
The quality has been reduced
while the appearance of tie better
stuff has been initiated as mucn as
possible. Sellers do not like to
admit that their goods are higher,
even though "the tariff did it.n
They sometimes prefer to say when
showing the new graded quality of
goods, See, how cheapp' But
they add, You will, in the long
run, like this other hish.priced
goods better" But if the custo-
mer wants good goods he has to
pay the higher Mckinley prices.
The expenses of even the average