The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-04-18

~ presented TO the consideration oil 'ne
American people AZ in tho majority report.
The issue Is now clearly made up ana u
would seem as IL only n cursory pcrlsai o.
these two reports were needed TO sho" on
which side all patriotic and iar-m'n"'u
citizens should stand. The whole tone u
the majority report in spite Of it, dofmauc
assertions. Is more or less explanatory or
apologctic. This bill, Il roundly states. is
framed in the interest Of the people Of the
United states, and yet in the same clause
Il declares that no hesitation has been felt
IN advancing the duties beyond their pres
cnt cXorbtant rates whenever IL seemed adj
yisable to the Republican members Of the
committee, an instance being the imposition
Of an increased tax on tin plate. which viii
only benefit q few at the expense Of the
many. This is the underlying principle Of
the Mckinley bill, and instead Of being
drawn in the interest Of the American peo-
pie, it was really framed for the advantage
Of a comparatively few manufacturers.
70 promote and encourage American In
dustries and advance the interests Of Ameri-
can laborcrs, the proper method according
20 The minority report, is 10 reduce the bur-
dens Of taxation. "When capital and labor
unite In declaring that our protected indus
tries are not prosperous under that system,
although IL was designed and has been
maintained for their special benefit. the con-
clusion is inevitable that there IS a vice in
il somewhere that ought TO be removed, for
there is no reason 10 doubt that in a country
like this every productive industry would
be reasonably prosperous, If a wise and just
revenue and financial policy prevailed.
''The original argument in favor Of pro-
tective duties was that they were necessary
10 foster infant industries. But the present
bin is based upon the precisely opposite
view. IL is framed upon the assumption
that az our industries grow older they grow
weaker and more dependent upon the
bounty Of the government. II devolvcs
upon those advocates now % explain, il
they can, why il is that after low-tarh
policy has been abandoned for more ihan q
quarter Of a century and high-tari policy
substituted in lbs place, the manufacturing
and mechanical industries Of the country
are less able 10 maintain themselves than
they were when the change was made, and
when this is done it will still remain for
them 10 show upon what principle Of justice
or sound public policy consumers can be
periodically subjected 20 additional taxa
tion-not for the benefit Of the governments
which does not want the revenue, but for
the exclusive benefit Of private business en-
terprisos which are not able TO sustain
themselves"
The minority report points out at conald-
cradle length that the only result of the JIM
position Of increased duties on agricultural
products will be 10 provoke retaliatory leg
islation by the countries 10 which these
products are now exported "Aready
France. Germany and other countries have
made determinations against us, which
have severely affected the sale Of our bread
stuns and provisions. If this bin passes.
the Dominion Of Canada, the Republic Of
Mexico, and the various governments OF
Central and South America will almost GER
tainly pursue the same course, and as a re-
suit Of this commercial warfare, the farmers
will soon find themselves without market
for their surplus products, either at home or
abroad"