Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-10-25
The Cost Of Living Under the New Tariff.
American Economist.

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American Economist.
Free-trade newspapers are just now
filled with statements of the Increased
cost of living since the new tariff went
into effect on October 6. The persist
ency and multiplicity of these state
nents justify the assertion that a COLI
spiracy has been formed 10 influence
com ressional elections by pcrsuading
the people that the one effect of the re-
publican administration is large ad.
vance i'm the cost of the necessities Of
lite. That these statements are essen
tally false may be ascertained by any
one who will take the trouble TO ill.,
uuire as to the facts, aud not accept
newspaper allegations for truths until
he has proved them. He will be con-
WINGED that with few exceptions there
arc no material increases of the duties
in the new tariff. Comparative state
ments may be had readily, showing the
difference between the old rates and
the new. AS a rule the changes are
reductions and not additions. A large
variety of articles which formerly paid
duties arc now on the free list, so that
under the new law nearly one-half Of
the imports will come in duty free.
So far as these are concerned, there
will be a reduction of cost to the
American consumer. OF the articles
remaining on the dutiable list the du-
ties on many have been largely re-
duced. This is true of the chemical
and iron schedules, both of which in-
clude great and important variety of
SO called necessities Of life. The wood
schedule shows also important reduc-
lions. The cotton goods schedule pro-
vides for a slight Increase OH the finer
kinds-rarely exceeding five per cent.
increase on any kind. On the lower
grades there is reduction,on the me-
dunn grades no increase.
On the fine linen goods there is an
increase of duty with the purpose Of
introducing the manufacture OF fine
linens in this country. But on many
other kinds of goods made of flax,
hemp or jute, the duties are reduced.
Tie duties on many kinds Of wool
ems have been advanced to correspond
with the increased rates on wool. But
as the lower and medium qualities Of
wooden goods, such as are worn by the
average citizen, or are made up into
ready-made clothing, were sold in this
country before the new tariff was ell
acted for less than the foreign, with
duty added, it is evident that home
competition will determine prices of
these kinds of woOlens in the future as
in the past, ami no increase in price
follow the new tariff bill. The finer
kinds, such as are consumed by the
wealthy, may be advanced, but it is
safe TO say that for the kinds that are
used IN the clothing of all classes of
people who are compelled to consider
the cost of what they wear, there will
be no advance. Or if in any case an
advance is made, it will be so slight as
not to affect perceptibly the cost Of
garments,
Silks have not been advanced. The
only schedule in which there has been
a material increase, is the agricultural,
including nearly all varieties OF farm
products. But, as the free-traders
have always claimed that the duties
OIL the great staple products of our
farms were null and OF no effect, 1t is
hardly worth while to argue that the
duties on this class of articles will not
increase the cost Of living. The fact Is
these increased duties will enlarge our
home market for farm products, and
secure the farmer against the uncer-
taintics OF foreign markets and the
growing competition of semi-bar-
harous nations. To Offset any posi-
BILE increase OF the cost of food IN con-
sequence of these advanced duties on
farm products, we have sugar made
free, and thereby clear and absolute
reduction Of the cost of living for our
people of not less than $60,000,000 an
nually, a SUN equal to one-fOurh OF
the cost of the entire bread we coll
sumo. Thus, in effect, tho new tariff
bill gives TO the people OF this country
receipt in full for ono quarter of their
bread every year.
Do not keep the alabaster boxes of
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