The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-10-18
BENEFITS (DOF THE M'hINLET
BILL.

1t requires no argument or proofs to
show that the most evident and disagree
able result of the passage of the Mckin-
ley bill has been to advance the prices of
goods and commodities all along the line.
This each individual will soon find out.
if he has not already. A purchasing visit
to the dry goods store, the hardware
store, the clothing store, the implement
mercantile establishment will demonstrate
the fact in short order. The clothing, the
house furnishings OF all kinds, the nipple
ments for the farm, the tools of the me-
chanic have generally advanced in price
from 10 to 40 per cent, and this unjust
tax comes directly out of the pocket of
the consumer, without any corresponding
benefits. The manufacturers pocket his
money wrung from the people, and there
is not a single instance on record as yet
where one of them has advanced the
wages of his employees or sought to
share the benefits with others-eXcept
possibly with the republican campaign
committee.
Woolens, worsteds, cloths, dress goods
Especially the cheaper varieties), pushes,
velveteens, upholsteripg goods, cordu'
roys, collars, cuffs, laces, edglngs, EN-
broideries, ruchings, kid gloves especial
ly the cheaper grades, ribbons, hand,
kerchiefs, clothing (and many raw ma.
terials used in its manufacture, such as
low grades of wool worsted, or the halt
of camel, goat or alpaca, carpets (and
many of their ingredients), many lines o.
hardware, groceries, boots and shoes
tobaccos, ETC., are all increased from II
to 100 per cent under this law. In al
most all cases the cheaper class of goods
that are purchased by the poor man
have the higher duty ON them. Nearly
all the goods mentioned in this paragraph
haye advanced in price and purchasers
will realize in a marked way t%hebenetits(?
of the Mckinley Bill.
SObbtl SoVNs SuCA 40 Nv
stockings, ETC., are subject to a marked
increase. For instance: Shirts ant
drawers costing $3.50 per dozen in Eu
rope, paid under the old law 40 per cen
ad valorem, thus costing $2.1O; now the.
pay 81 specific duty, and 30 per cent a
valorem or $500, an increase of "A pc
cent. Those costing $12 II Europe, pal
under the old law 40 per cent, and cos
landed in this country $3.50; under tn
Mckinley law the duty is ~ specific, an
40 per cent nd valorem, or $3.50, an in
crease of II per cent
In cutlery and edged tools of all kind
there is a sharp advance in the duty
Under the old law a dozen table knlve
and forks, costing Europe $1.10, cos
the importer 35 per cent q
valorem duty. or $1.4s; under the ne,
law the duty is 80 per cent ad valoren
and 35 per cent per dozen spe
citic, thu making the same knives an
forks cost $1.79, an increase of 20 pc
cent. A dozen knives and forks costin
$3.50 in Europe was subject to an ad va
orem tax of 35 per cent under the oil
law, making them cost the importe
$10.12; under the new law the tax is 3
per cent ad valorem and 81 specific
making them cost to the importer $1O.7
an increase of 6 per cent. Here, as in a
other cases, the greatest increase is o
the goods used by the poorer classes.
1t might be said in this connection thf
American made goods advance in justth
same proportion as the imported articl
The home manufacturer takes advantag
Of the tariff to put up his prices to th
limit. AS evidence of this fact read tn
following circular just received by one
..-- aoa1oIs from an Amsrlcan cutler
manufacturer: "We beg leave to advis
you that we hereby withdraw all forme
quotations on our cutlery. We hav
made an advance in our prices whic
will be quoted you on application
The mails just o are fu
Of such notices as this one, and ~illnstrat
in a remarkable way the benefits () {
the Mckinley tariff law.
These are but a few of many instance
that might be cited, but they go to til
point and prove the new law to be al il
famous measure. Blaine is authority IL
the statement that "there is not a sectio
or line of the bill that will make a ma
ket for another bushel of wheat c
another barrel of pork and 1t is there
fore not to be wondered at that the farm
er pronounces it simply legalized rot
berry. But the farmer is not alone a
fected. No one is benefited but the mar
ufacturer to whom the great mass of tn
people pay unholy tribute.
How long will the people submit tt
this robbery! We believe they will an
swer etfectually on the 4th of November
in Montana as we'll as throughout tn
union.