The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-10-24
A Wholesale Robbery,

Of all the frauds perpetrated by the Nc
Kinley tariff bill the increased tax upon tin
is the most glazing. Besides its indispensable
value to Gamers tin enters into the manufac-
ture of many articles used by dairy farmers
and by every household in the land Indeed,
is upon tin for cooking utensils and other
domestic purposes.
Previous to 1842 tin plate was not taxed
but in that year tax of 21 per cent. was le-
vi;d. Four years later this was increased to
Is per cent. but in 1857 it was reduced
again to s per cent. In 1851 at the outbreak
of the war it was raised to 10 per cent.
and in the following year to 25 per cent, at
which point it remained until 1879 when it
was reduced to Is per cent ad valorem. In
1875 the duty was made specific at II cts.
per h., which, while intended to be equiva-
lent to the previous rate of Is per cent. adj
valorem, soon became equivalent to IS per
cent on account of the decline in the cost of
tin plate. In 1882 company determined to
start afresh long idle mill near Pttsburg,
and Congress was asked to advance the tariff
to % cts. per h.; but the attempt was ineffect-
ual on account of the vigorous protests of the
manufacturers of articles Of tin. In 1883 the
tariff was reduced to ct. per h., which was
creased the tariff to 2iTo cents per pound.
Tin plate is made of the best Bessemer or
Siemens-Martin sheet-steel. In this country,
on account of the close monopolies which
control the steel industries, manufacturer
who would want to make tin plate would
have to pay over cents per ID. for such steel
sheets uncut, unpickled, and not coated with
tin. Knowing this fact we can easily see the
purpose ofthese men who would increase the
duty. They are sheet-steel manufacturers
and their aim is to make imported timed
plate cost so much to the farmer as practical
ly to prohibit Importation, and thus create
market for sheet-steel, their own monopoly.
Their object is to compel people, by the high
tariff to use sheet steel for roofing and other
purposes instead of tin. The increased tariff
on Tin, whether any tin is produced in this
country or not, will add $4,000, 900 yearly to
the tax burdens of the American people.
This may be small matter to individuals,
but 1t is great outrage. Why should every
Gamer, farmer, dairyman or householder be
compelled to pay an increased cost upon the
tin ware he uses to enable few capitalists to
experiment in producing tin at the expense
of other people, or to create a monopoly in
choof ofoal for ~,rooeo,e
What is the remedy?
Congress made the protective tariff. Con-
gress must unmake it.
So long as Congress is composed of pro-
tectionists, just SO long will the farmer be
plundered. Nay, more. So long as the rep
resentatives of the unprotected classes are
Indifferent, while the representatives of the
protected interests areaggressive, keen and or
ganized, just SO long will the farmer be made
the victim. The unprotected masses have
the remedy in their own hand. Their votes
number 100000, those of the protected
classes only 100000. The farmers repre-
sentative must be alive on this ISSUE
There lies the remedy. Make the fight in
favor of high tariffs ?-Vote him down.
Are you Republican ?-Vote for the tar
if reformer Are you Democrat Vote
for the tariff reformer.
Ifyour representative in Congress profess
es wish to relieve you of your tariff burdens
but excuses himself for defending "Protec-
ton" on the ground that the system is neces-
sary to raise revenue for the government
then vote for him to stay at home while you
send to Washington some one else, who has
more brains than he, to help find way
by which the government can raise one dol.
lar without taxing the American people four
dollars-of which those dependent upon ag
riculture pay three
You need not hope to raise such campaign
funds as can the protected" manufacturing
employers. But you can cast more votes
than they can buy.