Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1890-05-20
Dopkinsuillr Kentufkiatt.
TUESDAY, MAY 20, ls9'
ELLIS ON THE TARIFF.
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by this bill the duty is increased tC
103 per cent. Other instances il
which the duty on agricultural imple
ments, earthen ware, glass ware, and
articles of necessity to the people, is
largely increased by this bill could bt
mentioned, but enough has been men
toned to indicate that the bill, though
cunningly contrived, is hardly calcu
lated to mislead those whom its pro
visions SO seriously affect.
The manner in which this bill deals
with tin plates ought not to be over
looked considering the vast increase
in the rate OF duty it proposes. This
article, as much as quinine, deserves
to be on the free-list. There are not
a dozen people in the United States
who will be benefited by the increased
duty this bill imposes on tin-plates,
while there is not household in the
land that would not be directly bene-
fited by repeal OF the present duty
The duty on tin-plates annually man.
ufactured into cans, used in canning
fruits, vegetables, meats, and other
articles, amount to S2,000,000. This
large sum represents the increased
cost Of canned goods to the consumer,
With the present rate more than
doubled, as proposed by this bill, the
result will be a large increase in the
cost Of these articles over present
prices.
1t is estimated that the increased
duty which this bill proposes on tin
plates will amount to something like
s., 100000 more than the duty under
existing law, which of course increases
by that much the burdens of taxation.
We buy more of this commodity than
any other country in the world, and
without tin-plate mandatory in
the country to furnish even pretext
for protection this bill proposes to in
crease the duty on tin-plstes in a sum
that would equal 79 per cent.
1t may appear difficult to under
stand upon what idea such legislation
proceeds, and why it is the people are
to be subjected to the additional bur
dens this bill imposes. But when it
is remembered that tin-plate is COM
posed of thin sheets of iron or steel
coated with block tin the reason why
protection proposes to tighten its
grip becomes apparent.
The iron and steel manufacturers,
already highly protected, demand adj
ditional protection. Avarice and greed,
which are never satisfied, will reap
another harvest under the advantages
which this bill, in the name of in
creased duty on tin-plates, will give
the manufacturers of iron and steel.
But the Taxpayers of this country
may find consolation in the fact that
while this bill increases the duty on
tin-plates and nearly every other ar
ticle which their daily necessities
compel them to buy, it offers them
the luxury of cheap tobaccol
That this measure will certainly
accomplish the object for which it is
designed does not admit of doubt.
That it will increase the burdens of
the people is equally certain. Under
its provisions trusts and combines will
find fresh immunity from the laws,
Federal or State, enacted
for their suppression. But the relief
which the people have demanded and |
10 which they are entitled is utterly |
ignored by this bill. 1t affords no
relief to the laboring and producing
classes of the country; the farmer is
eft to the tender mercies Of a de-
pressed home market and the wage
,arners to the generosity of their task
The system of war taxes in
line OF peace is continued; the demand
hat raw material should be placed on
he free-list and the tariff ON the nee
,ssaries of life should be reduced and
uxuries required to bear the just pro-
portion of the burdens of taxation is
ienied.
Applause on the Democratic side.