The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-11-01
THINK A MOMENT.
Think a moment.

The manufactures of this country
amounted, last year, to seven billions
of dollars-S7 200, 0O0, 900 DO.
The average tariff tax was AZ per
cent.
Our republican friends say the tariff
uoes not enhance the value of goods TO
the full amount of the duty. They
grow very red in the face asserting
this, Well and good; let us frankly
admit that it does not. Certainly no
republican who has any respect Tor the
truth or for his own judgment VIII
claim that prices are not hance all
average of 10 per cent. The msnufac-
turers are not altogether angels; they
arc not apt to throw away all OF the
advantage given to them by the tarih'
They surely do not spend impense
sums lobbying for high rates In the
tariff merely for their health, or out OF
philanthropic considerations.
No reasonable man will deny that
manufactures are enhanced in value by
the tariff more than 10 per cent, but
let us consider the result TO the people
at that rate. The value in the open
markets of the world upon seventy
five per cent. of our manufactures
would afford a profit, as upon at least
that proportion thereof we can COM
pete with the world,and upon such
share of them as goes abroad we are
now so competing. However, it will
be observed we are not figuring on
that basis, but adding 81 per cent, or
whatever is necessary OF that sum upon
the pa %rticuiar article in question, some
more, some less, in order to give a
profit before our 10 per cent. enhanced
price is reached. What is the conse-
quence2 Why simply that the manu-
faclurers first get a fair profit, all they
are entitled to, and that then they get
10 per cent. more.
Who pays II?
Stop right here a moment and think.
The manufacturer charges up his
two profits to the wholesaler; the
wholesaler adds his proft-ho cannot
very we'll work for nothing, and as a
matter of fact he does not; the retailer
has to pay one profit to the wholesaler,
aud two profits to the manuiacturer;he
then in urn adds his profit and the
goods are ready Tor the consumer, who
when he takes an article, and pays fol-
it, pays all the first cost and all tho
profits.
1t is plain enough; isn't il? Tn
consumer pays all. 1t all at last iallt
on him. There is no escape from this
conclusion.
Then what is this enhanced cost tt
be considered? A tax, of course; JUS
as much q tax as though it was gather
ed by the collector aud paid into tint
public treasury. But does it go into
the public treasury Not at all. How
a tax and not 60 into the public treas
ury2 Certainly; it is a tax; 1t is assess
ed and levied by the government, Blu
It is collected and enjoyed by the man
, ufacturer alone. This Is the immora
feature of the tariff; this is why il j
/ Justly called a robber tariff; this
wherein, like u thief, it takes from on
man, without his consent. his hard
earned dollars, needed for his family
maintenance and gives them to anothe
aud hat other already wealthy, who's
necessities do not require them. w,
desire to write calmly, but a NOR
3 scoundrelly proceeding n a scarce
ly imagine. AS Judge Miller 30 wei
, pointed out, no language is too stronI
to apply to it.
Now to sum up: The entire revenu
of the United States, last year, froI
t excise taxes and from customs wa
1881, O5O, O5S. 90. This was the amour
of money paid as taxes in 1889 by III
= people, which went into the treasur
and was used tor public purposes; bu
while they were paying this sun
8 enorm GUS all must admit, the peopl
paid as a tax, In the enhanced price
a manufactures 300 DOC, 10000, not
dollar OF which went into the treasury
every cent Of which found it's way int
a the pockets of the manufacturers.
If Is il any wonder that Presiden
k Cleveland deemed a question whic
presents such stupendou impositic
a as being the most important one I r Il
people TO consider?
: Is il any wonder that we have create
| IN the country q moneyed %aristocrac,
Is IL any wonder that out OF a subsid
of 900, 600, 900. 90 per year the manr
fscturers eau we'll suffer millions worl
OF fat to be fried out Of them to carr
elections; other millions to NAL
10 wealthy their attorneys and advocate
the Blaines, Shermans. Reeds, Windon
Q and Morrills; and still other millions
Ia enrich, session after session, the less
A. fry of congressman who do their hi,
10 ding like spauiels in the leash2
Is Some people question II there Is
ID he'll, but no just person, that has Il
st intelligence to see aud realize the emo
il nifty of this system OF spoliation al
u bribery will eyer do so,
/. For somebody, sometime there W
come a day of retribution.
70 Judge Thurston, OF Nebraska, can
Of over to help the republicans OF Il
q Fourth district elect Ford, and ma
3. a speech at St. Joseph which set a ce
NJ Anin nlaaa of rannhlicanR Wild. and Y