The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-14
THE TARIFF.
Discussed From a Free Trade Stand
point.
ANTHONY, Kan. , Aug

ANTHONY, Kan, August -, 80.
To the Editor of the Eagle.
If Webster used this strong language
against higher tariff duties in 1924, what
would he have said against the AIcKin-
ley monstrosity of 1890: This is what he
said about the tariff bill of 1923 "a, towit;
''On the general question, allow me to
ask if the doctrine of prohibition, as a
general doctrine, be not preposterouS:
Suppose all nations to act upon it: they
would be prosperous, then, according to
the argument. precisely in the proper
ton in which they abolished intercourse
with one another. The best apology for
laws of prohibition and laws of monop-
oily, will be found in that state of sOci-
ETY., not only unenlightened but slug
giSh. But our age is wholly of differ
ent character, and its legislation takes
another turn. Society is full of excite
ment; competition comes in place of
monopoly, and intelligence and industry
ask only for fair play and an open field. "
If Webster was right in 1924, thea
Major Mckinley must be wrong in 1890.
Who is the biggest man, Webster or
Mckinley?
Again, Thomas H. Benton said in 1928
regarding the effects of the tariff on the
south: He felt for the sad change
which had taken place in the south, in
the last fifty years. Before the revolu-
ton it was the seat of wealth, as well as
of hospitality. Money, and all that it
commanded, abounded there. But how
nowt All this is reversed. In place of
wealth, universal pressure for money
E,If
es; the price of all property down: the
country dropping and languishing;
towns and cities decaying; and the fru-
gal habits of the people pushed to the
verge of universal self denial, for the
preservation of their family estates.
Such d result IS a strange and
wonderful phenomenon. 1t calls
upon statesmen TO inquire into
the cause; and if they inquire into the
theater of this strange metamOrphOsis,
they will receive one universal answer
from all ranks and all ages, that it is
federal legislation which has worked
this ruin. Under this legislation the ex-
ports of the south have been made the
basis Of the federal revenue. The
twenty odd millions annually levied
upon imported goods, are deducted out
OF the price of their cotton, rice and
tobacco, either in the diminished price
which they receive for these staples In
foreign ports, or in the increased price
which they pay for the articles they have
TO consume at home.
If the tariff of 1918 to 1928 50 impov-
erished the south, have we not some
idea as TO the cause Of the present condi-
ton of the west: and further, what
would the condition Of the western PEG
pie be reduced TO if the MCKINLEY abom-
ination bill should become a law? If
Webster Is right this bill would stife
all competition and be a complete SUP
render Of our intelligence, genius and
industry, to the avarice Of monOpolies,
trusts and combines. We would ask.
do our industries need any protection.
This Is what this same man Benton said,
as long ago as 1892, in the United States
senate, regarding this matter, and If
they needed no protection then why
should they low after over fifty years
more OF high protection: Mark his
words
And here ! would ask, how many