The Forrest City times., 1890-12-06
Defending the rarld Hill.

befeHuihE thr haTsu
 The apprehension that our tariff may
 again and at once be subjected to import ant general changes would undoubtedly add a depressing influence of the most serious character. Tho general tarin act . has only partially gone into operation some or it's important provisions being limited 10 take effect at future dates. Tho gen eral provisions of the law having been in force less than sixty days, its permanent effect on trade and prices stll largely stand in conjecture. It is curious to note that the advance in prices of articles wholly unaffected by the act was by many
 hastily ascrihed to that act Notice was
 not taken of tho fact that the general ten dency Of the markets was upward from influences wholly apart from the late tar M Legislation. The enlargement of our currency by the silver bill undoubtedly gave aa upward tendency to trade and had marked effect on prices. but this natural effect of the silver legislation was by many attributed to the tarif act.
 There ia neither wisdom nor justice In Inc suggestion that the subject of tariff revision should be opened before this law has had fair trial IL is quite true that every tariff schedule ia subject to oblec- tons No bill was ever framed, 1 suppose. that in all of It's rates and classifications bad the full approval even of party eau GUS. Such Legislation is always and nc cessarily the product of compromise as to details, and the present law is no exception, but In its general scope and effect | think it will justify the support of those who believe that American legislation should conserve and defend American trade and the wages of American workmen The transformation as to the terms of the act which has been so widely disseminated at home and abroad, will be corrected by OK perience, and the evil auguries as 10 its results confounded by the market reports, the savings banks, international trade balances and the general prosperity of our people. Already we begin to hear from abroad and from our custom houses that the prohihitory effect upon importa,ions imputed to the act Is not justified. The imports at the port of New York for tho first two weeks Of November were nearly $ per cent greater than for the same period in fss9 and 2a per cent greater than in the same period Of iSSs And, so far from being an act to limit exports. confidently
 believe that under 1t we shall secure larger and more profitable participation in foreign trade than we have ever enjoyed. and that we shall recover proportionate participation in the ocean carrying trade of the world
 The criticisms of the bill that have come to us from foreign sources may well be re- iected, If these critics really believe that the adoption by us of free trade policy or of tarif rates having reference sntctN tu rrNtnue would ufmfAisn tue par ticipation of their own countries in the commerce. of the world, their advocacy and promoton by speech and other forms Of organized effort of this movement among our people is q rare exhibition of unsclfish. ness in trade. And, on tho other hand, fl they believe the adoption of a protective policy by this country inures to thcir profit. is is notieeabIy strange that they should lead Inc outcry against the authors of policy so helpful to them and crown with favor those who would snatch from them A substantial sharc of trade with other lands already inadequate to their necessl- ties
 There is no disposition among any of our people to promote prohihitsry or retaliatcry legislation Our policies are adopted, not 10 the hurt of others. but to secure for our. selves these advantages that fairly grow out of our favored position as a nation. Our form Of government, with its incident of universal suffrage. makes 1t imperative that We shah save our working people from the agitaticus and distresses which scanf work and wages that have no margin foi comfort always bc9et, but after all this Is sanna Il will bc found that our markets are open to friendly commercial exchanges ot enormous value to the other great powcrs
 From the time of my induction into ofYice, the duty of using every power and influence gwen by law tc the executive department for the development of larger markets foy our products. especially cur farm products,