New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-30
EPOjDER PROTECTION.

BROIDER PEOTECTION.
More quickly than was anticipated SlenS o'
coming Republican agreement Oh me 'l''l 'P-
pear. While Democrats and Free lradcfS are
Cheating over supposed disruption oil 'ha'
powcrful body which has for nearly thirty years
sustained the protective policy. with results ol
iucomparable advantage 10 the country, there
arc rrports at Washington that Republican
leaders are quietly preparing to make tHa' po'-
lev broader and more effective than 1t ever mas
been 1t is even said that Senator AldrIch ana
certain associates have matWed an amendment
t, the Tariff bill, t. be offered at the proper
time. which goes far beyond reciprocity rs 20
a single article Of commerce, and looks to the
concentration Of all the vast commercial power
If the United States for the defence OF It's
industries.
I'm order to appreciate the line of policy
under consideration it may be wei 10 lchlem-
bon the recent suggestion that the sugar avn!
belOngs 70 the revenue class. and not To the
protective part of the tarlii. OnGNnhH! I'M
posed for revenue purposes only Ii mas hol
been Of any avail for the encouragement oil
home industry Bot there are ether du'lcN'
now or formerly in force, OF precisely the same
uoiup Duties on coffee. tea and hides never
hclDcd any American industry but were I'M
po>cd for revenue only, and removed when the
revenue was not needed. Exactly As The sugar
duty. not yet removed, may be used To ln"nce
other nations 10 grant larger opportunities II
American industry, 50 these revenue uu'''>
generally may be employed to the same end, III
perfect harmony with the protective policy. VI
many articles the consumption OF tins country
alone is already from a quarter u thid oil the
entire worlds consumption.
Protection itself may thus come to nav"
wider range. The defence OF home lnduNu!
against hmtfu exclusion of is products from
foreign markets is desirable, a. well Is rs de-
fence against excessive foreign competition III
home markets. Nor is it less clearly pant
Of nm enlightened and broad protective policy
to secure from other nations removal oil export
dutieS which enhance the cost ol nctfN>aIIc>
to American consumers, or OF dSclIihllalIHS
dutios or prohibitions which shut out products
from their markets. All these are steps i"I
The protection Of American Industries III inc
HIGHEST and best sense. and aS such are natu-
rally a,S,ciatcd The rcvcnu" duties, present
mast or possible. constitute a tremendous force
which can be used to secure from foreign cotn-
tries advantages for American producers OF
consumers. The duties commonly called pro-
tcctiyc at the same time defend American
markets for the home industries which undue
foreign competition would cndangcr.
An amendment j. said 10 be nearly ready
for submission to the Senate. which would en-
pluy for the benefit OF home industry, not Only
revenue duties which remain, but Others which
were laid aside years ago only 10 the beneht
Of foreign Governments or producers The re-
moval of the duty on coffee, for instance,
brought 10 direct advantage to American CON
sumclS 1t is proposed 10 empower the Prc>i-
dent 10 impose again the revenue dutIc' on
sugar. coffee. rubber and hides imported from
countries which do not within limited time
admit agricultural and manufactured products
from thi, country on favorable terms. or which
ucrsi,t i'm export duties on articles admitted
free by the United states. There Is also
suggestion that impoItationS of products from
countries which arbitrarily diScliminat" against
or exclude American products may by IrcNi-
dental action be suspended.
Ii is easy 10 see that these propositions are
not antagon,tc u the protective policy, but
would in fact broaden and strengthen H. ana
ren1cr it more effective The revenue duties
which are not needed for protection o. any
home industry can be taken of on put on ac-
cordng T. the advantages which may be OH
taincd for American industries and consumers
in negotiations with foreign Powers rs to
such duties large discretionary power within
limits defined ~ Congress can safely be IN
trusted to the Executive. II does no; yet APP
pear how far these suggestions have enlisted
support Of Republican Senators and Repre-
scntatvcS. who will have 70 consider their
nadicability and their adaptation to the state
of public opinion. But an important step for
ward is taken when it is made clear that the
duties which are or may be imposed for revenue
only. and not for the protection Of home IN
dustrics can be employed with great effect 10
secure advantages for American agriculture and
manufactures in negotiations with foreign
Powers.