The National tribune., 1890-04-10
given elsewhere, is the only measure which
will satisfy the soldiers of the country. We
respectfully recommend its careful study
by Senators and Representatives.
THE TARIFF NOT A TAX.

-
over four years in the Sd w. Va. and 9th
w. Va. Cav, propounds the following
question to us:
i. If the tariff is not n tax, what Is III
To this question we will answer that the
tariff is not tax, strictly speaking, but
an economic regulation. That is, duties are
not primarily imposed for the purpose of
getting money to support the Government,
but to regulate importations and give pro-
lection to our own producers.
Prof Alexander Johnston gives this def
milton, which is substantially the same of all
political economists:
Id1dtion, (from the Iatan tarO or tardrs "to
rate, ito vaue,') In the ordinary sense means
the act process of apportoninR or assessing
ana OF collecting or gathering from people portion
of their property. for the or support of their
Government, and for all public needs.
But this Government, and all Govern
ments, constantly make use of the machinery
and forms of taxation, without any idea of
obtaining revenue, but for other and very
different purposes. A conspicuous instance
of this was in 1868 when the National Bank
act was passed, and tax of 10 per cent. per
annum was laid on the circulation of private
and State banks. There was no pretense of
expectation of obtaining any revenue from
this source. The avowed object of the So
called tax was to drive out of circulation all
notes except those authorized by the Govern
ment. 1t was consequently not tax, but
an economic regulation given the form of a
tax.
A more recent instance was the "tax" i'm
posed on oleomargarine. No one pretended
that the Government needed the money re-
sulting from the "tax." The sole object was
10 restrict and control the manufacture of
oeomargarine. Strictly speaking it was not
tax. 1t is described in Congress by its
advocates as purely a police regulation
some characterized it as a health regulation,
and this view had much to do with it's pass-
age.
The entire tariff schedule can be gone
through with in the same way. Not an arti-
Gle on it maintains its place there for taxa
ton purposes. 1t is on the dutiable list be-
| cause the duties imposed are thought neces-
sary for the protection of some of our
interests.
AT the same time its being there, and its
| operation to protect and foster our own in
dustries, has the happy effect of relieving
us from the burden of direct taxes to sup
port the Government. Ii we did not have
the revenues derived from these protective
duties, we might have to do as Free Trade
England does-tax everything in sight,
each pane of glass in a window, each wheel
on vehicle. etc This is a point that Free
Traders are careful to ignore. They assert
that every dollar collected ut the custom
houses is extorted for the benefit of the
manufacturers, but conceal the fact that in
this way We save the people the burdens OF
such onerous necessary taxes as are levied in
! England. In other words, our system has
the happy double effect of building up our
industries, while supplying a revenue with
which to meet the expenses of the Govern
nent