The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-10-24
continued from LIST page J

and needlesSly to tax the American
consumer rs well. With wool on the
free-list every advantage is handed
over to the foreign producer, and
with duty on sugar every hardship
Is imposed upon the American con-
sumer. With wool protected every
advantage is held for the American
producer, and with sugar free every
advantage is left to the American
consumer.
1t is especially to be noted that in
this opening of our ports to the SUI
gar of the world, we have freed the
people from all danger of having to
paw tribute to trust. The sugar
that comes in, up to No. 16. is white,
excellent sugar, fit for table use any
where. The people are, therefore,
beyond the reach of any combination
of refnsrs.
THE DUTIABLE LIST.
Now, as to the goods that remain
on the dutiable list, the Republican
party undertakes to say
l. That the effect of its changes in
rates will be in no case to increase
the cost to the American consumer of
a single article which can. with any
propriety, be called a necessary
household expense.
2. That so far as increased cost to
retail buyers is concerned, the people
will never know that a tariff has
been passed.
3. That all this Democratic talk
about Increased taxation to the peo-
pie" is nothing but downright false
hood.
4. That the consumer will appre-
ciate the existence of new tariff only
by its results in the reduction of his
necessary household expenses.
Undoubtedly many rates have
been raised many remain as they
were; many have beel lowered. But
the claims just made are established
by the fact that every increased rate
must be placed in one of these five
classes:
First. That which consists in the
correction of errors. This is a small
class, rendered necessary by the in
equality in rates between the raw
material and the manufactured arti-
Gle, or by the Treasury Department
regulations, or by a f,ilure IN the
language of previous acts to express
the Congressional will clearly and ac'
curately. The interests of the con-
sumner are affected by this class. if at
all, only 10 an infinitesirnal degree
Second. That which consists in the
REVISION of ad valorem rates where,
by reason of the great fall in prices,
they have lost their protective value.
This is also small class. 1t has re.
suited largely from new and i'm.
proved machinery and from the
great fall in transportation prices, SO
that the moderate ad yalorem levied
in former tariffs no longer possesses
any protective strength. but signifies
less by from 80 to rs per cent. than it
,signIfied when originally leyied.
Third. Agricultural products. An
important and general increase in
duties has been provided for all farm
products. The tariff of 1888 has been
found by experience wholly made
. quate for the protection of the farmer.
Although. under the protective sys-
TEN, his expenses for necessary sup
plies, such as farm implements,
hardware, clothing, dry goods. and
groceries, have been constantly de-
creasing. he has been unable to obtain
for his own products fair living
price. Importations of farm prod
ucts into the United States have in.
creased from $4O,OOO,O0O in 1850 to
1856 .OOO.O 900 in 1889. The purpose Of
the Mckinley bill is to check this
importation. and to hold the Ameri.
lean market for the American farmer.
Fourth. Luxuries. whether their
like is produced here or not. Cham.
pagnes, brandies, and cigars are illus
trationS of this class. The theory
upon which these articles are made tC
pay a heavy duty is conceded to be
correct. even by the advocates of a
"reyenue tariff" 1t insists that peo-
pie who can afford such indulgences
can afford to contribute through them
to the support of the Government.
Fifth. That class of fine manufac
tured goods hitherto not produced in
this country. The American market
for these goods has hitherto been
Sconceded to foreigners. They con-
stitute the largest and by far the
most important of these five classes.
They include such articles as fine
laces. fine linens, the finest grades OF
wooden goods, of satins and velvets.