Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-10-31
ABOUT THE TARIFF.

In talking about the tariff the case of
England has always been more or less
stumbling block to either side. The
many ways in which England's tariff
may be viewed, together with our hat
red of everything English, which 10y the
way, IS as heartily reciprocated, must
inevitably make every discussion of the
subject merely an angry wrange. To-
look at both phases Of the question
requires a careful review Of the facts.
looking beyond their exterior to the
ultimate cause; and thus by careful ex-
animation arriving at the truth
In regard to "free-trade" then. where
did the idea originate? Whenever this
question is asked we are invariably re-
ferred TO Englands great prosperity.
AS to England's free-trade policy we
have these words from an Englishman.
After mentioning the articles on which
duty is levied: i. e. tobacco, tea. coffee.
chicory, cocoa, wines, spirits, etc. he
says: 1T viii be readily seen that three
fourths Of the total sum ($1O2,0l3.37O
in 1870 is levied on articles which we
do not and cannot produce. 1t is clear
therefore that this cannot afford the
slightest protection TO native indust-
ries." Now this might be very pla =.
if it were only true. The duties on
these articles is not uniform as h. in
fers. Insterd of bat fifteen" art.y.es
under this head there are fifty: zee.
1t comes in this way. On unma .ac-
tured tobacco the duty is 20 cent per
pound. On manufactured tobacc, the
duty is 9G cents and 10 cents 70. two
kinds, and OH snuff and cigars from 100
cents to 1870 cents per pound. Cocoa
husks and shells pay ! cent a pound;
If manufactured 4 cents per pound.
Raw coffee pays a duty of fourteen
shlllings per pound. but if roast or
ground seventeen shillings per pound,
and so on through the list. Notice in
each case a much higher duty on the
manufactured article than on the raw
material. What is this but a protect
ion to English manufacturers? Eng
land has virtually protective tariff on
what other nations can produce cheap
er; which being few, she audaciously
pretends to "free-trade". Now what
does this prove? 1t is that no civiliz-
ed nation in the world has free trade
in the sense that our Democratic friends
would have us take the term. England
protects her manufacturers and mer-
chants by a tariff and miriad other
little contrivances, such as bounties.
bonuses and preferences OF different
kinds. And every nation in Europe
save Turkey follows the same wise pol
icy. 1t is useless to talk of protection as
"barbarous institution" or Chinese
wall" unfit for civilized nation. 1t is
a national policy, recognized as neces-
sary by every statesman in the world;
just as much so as defensive armament.
1t appeals to the instinct of self protec-
ton. 1t is principle of political econ
omy which has had its firm support in
the long period Of unrivaled prosperity
it has given orr country. Free-trade
has never yet been made the establish
ed policy of any nation. 1t would be
the height of folly to experiment with
the welfare of 60 millions of people and
hazard the substantial prosperity which
we now enjoy for a shadowy theory.
We candidly cannot afford the expert
Inent.