The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-03
THE FARMER AND THE TARIFF.

THE FARMER AND THE TARIFF.
The American farmer is just now passing
through the gloomy valley of hard times
Prices for his products are low; mortgages
even if made for purchase-money or improve
ments in more hopeful times, are pressing
and it is difficult TO make both ends meet
All this is bad enough but it is made worse
by the constant opportunity it affords agi-
tators and demagogs to exaggerate the
farmers grievances and intensity his tale Of
woe. 1t takes shape in all sorts of proposals
for relief in Congress, and, strangely enough,
the very preachers and teachers of the eco
nOmic doctrine of laisses Cdirc, or let things
alone, are climbing over each other in hot
haste TO introduce bills to put the American
farmer on his feet again. Ever ready to
magnify depressions, the joyous band of free
traders who have been picturing this glori-
Gus country of ours spinning into the abyss Of
ruin and destruction for the last 90 years,
are out with their telescopes eagerly watch
ing for an enlargement of the black spot.
of course the agricultural depression is all
due to the tariff, and the only remedy is the
immediate repeal of certain customs duties.
The farmer is told by these reckless pur-
veyors Of British economics that the tariff
is framed for the benefit of few iron, wooden,
IN, d. -.
the interest of the American farmer. They
| never tell the farmer that the direct benefits
he receives from the present tariff are FAR in
excess Of the benefits received by any other
class They do not tell him that last year the
was levied aggregated in value over $780,
100000. And yet this is fact They do not
tell him that our total agricultural imports
amounted to nearly $3.50, 100000. / cannot
recall having seen any suggestions from this
proportion of these imported agricultural
products on the farms of this country. All
| WIS 10 foiy hAobS Hhu '0lJ uIiSi'1dibb'
Noone will deny the indirect benefit which
the farmer derives from the tariff. For the
moment it is proposed to remind the farmer of
some of the direct advantages of the present
tariff and to point out the incalculable bene-
q tariff bill rs that now under consideration
by the Ways and Means Committee. This
features of the schedule of farm products.
Few realize tho vast Importance of doing
| this 10 the agricultural interests.
How many farmers who read THE NATION
| Al TRIBUNE every week know that the ag-
| gregate importation of fruit, hides, eggs and
vegetables is about equivalent in value to
the importation of manufactures Of iron and
importation of raw fax and hemp, bread
stufIs, eggs, vegetables and woods, all prod
value as the importation of manufactures
of wool, or nearly $53,000,000? Changing
the combination and adding hops and hay
TO fruit, fax, etc, and we have an aggregate
FAR exceeding the imports of chemicals,
while the importation of the last two items
would equal in value the annual importa-
ton of manufactures of silk. Is the Ameri-
farmer ready TO calmly listen to attacks on
the greedy robber barons who manufac-
ture glass and glassware, when the imports
of his own protected bread-stnGs and barley
exceed annually the importation of glass
when the imports of seeds, not medicinal
are about the same as the imports of earth
enware2
No! Unless l am very much mistaken
the American farmer has altogether too
much hay out hiGiself not TO be clever to his
neighbor, the manufacturer, in the matter Of
exchanging courtesies. Here Is about how
the account stands:
Imports Of Important Manufactured Products. 1887.
Wooden goods..........,. 81 uGO
silk goods So,0OOUO(