South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1890-05-16


DER In reporting his tariff bill 10
the House 3 month ago Dir. McKin-
ley stated that our imports of agri-
cultural products had increased In
the last forty years from 10000 900
10 $3.50, 600, 900 This it was i3ti.
mated was a shameful increase. and
it was the purpose Of this bill he said,
TO relieve the depression of agricul-
ture' by checking such importations
and keeping the greater part OF this
vast sum Of money A. home. The
figures were astounding, and they
we're well Calculated 20 impress by
their immsnsity. On an examina
ton Of official documents for the
facts, hoa ever,it was found that So.
coo, 900 or $l2. 600 900 was the out.
side figure for the value OF the im-
ported agricultural products that
could be said to compete with Amer
lean agricultural produces. the rest OF
tue $350,00O, 900 being made up from
coffee. tea, Fugar, ivory, Indis rubber,
tropical fruits, hides and sorts of
wool and tobacco that csnnot be pro.
duced in this oountry. Mr.. McKin.
ley's representations we're, therefor
calculated to deceive guileless repub.
lIcan farmers. The relief they were
led to expect from his bill was IN the
nature OF the case impossible. The
Philadelphia Telegraph Is at pains in
Its issue Of Thursday to show that
Mr.. McKinley's offer in his report OF
5 100000 Of relief is demolished
by that gentleman himself in his
speech ednesdsy when opening the
tariff debate. All that he could
promise Wednesday was this: I'm
der the duties fixed by the bill the
annual imports Of $25, 100000 of ag-
ricultural products would lie supplied
to the people Of the United States
by the American farmers RAJ her than
10y the Canadian farmers; this sum
so distributed would relieve some of
the depression prevailing, give them
confidence and courage and increas.
ed ability IN raise the mortgages on
their farms What O falling OIL
IL the farmers, guided ny the rural
republican press, believed Mr..
McKinley's stateDeat in his report,
they we're deceived by his oEn CON.
fession,Co the extent OF $325, 0OG. 600.
But granting thnt his second estimate
is correct, what iooling it is 10 say
that the s25, goo, 900 10 going TO help
the fJFmeIs, when the new burdens
imposed upon them by the incre ased
taxes OF tho tariff bill are more than
double that figure The Telegra oh
estimates the present mortgage in
debiohness Of our farmers at S3,2OO,-
600 900, and scofs at the suggestion
that the exclusion OF $4,000. 900
worth of foreign tropical products is
going to give the farmers confidence
or enable them 70 lift the mortgages
on their farms. 1t lie not worth
while, says the Telegraph, TO pur.
sue the matter. The simple fact is
the same sophistry, the same misIead-
ing hgures, the same nislaksn plead.
ing, the same errors OF conclusion
are 30 glazing all through Dir,
McKinley's defense Of this indefen-
sible bill that the Wayfaring wyrk.
ing man. sgricu!luriSt and voter oil
every kind can see them for himself.
The trainers OF she bill are evidently
mere theorists, blinded by protec'
tionist prejudices. They are unable
apparently. to comprehend the euor
nous Injustice and folly OF their pro
possls. The people, however, under,
stspd them. and next November vii
make Il plain that The Mckinley oil
las not dealt fairly With toe 'conGi
ton TO which a.. Clevelaud'a is-
moo' message called their st'entIon