The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-02-18
EFFECTS OF THE MCKINLEY
tI BILL,

IT is too soon to determine the
effects Of the Tariff of 1890 upon all
the industries of the country by the
results already accomplished. The
bill went into operation on October
6, after the business Of the year 1890
had closed so far as related to orga-
nization, production and wholesale
distribution. If any advantageous
effect upon the industries might pos
sibly have been produced, the dis
couraging influences Of the elections
in November would have gone far
to neutralize or destroy it.
But it is now time for the new lswl
to begin to manifest its benefits, in.
the enlargement ofthe field Of indus
try, and by increased activity Of pN
duction. The coming season will
test the law. and prove or disprove
the claims Of those who advocated it.
We have no doubt of the result, and
that the friends Of the Tariff of 1890
will find their justification in the
course Of events. Already indica-
tions Of improvement are apparent
in the increase of our production Of
the finest kinds of wooden dress
goods; the starting of several facto-
ries to make tin plate; the organi-
cation of linen mill in the North
west, and many more new enter
prises.
The benefits of the bill for agri-
culture have been recently affirmed
by extensive inquiries among the
farmers Of the Northern and East
ern states, as stated in another part
of this paper.
Other indications may be found
in the reports Of the Statistical Blu
reau showing imports and exports
under the new Tariff bill in compsr-
ison with the data for several pre-.
ceding years.
One of the loudest cries Of the ad.
versaries Of the bill was that it would
destroy our foreign commerce. II
was alleged that our imports would
decline, and thereupon, according te
Free-Trade philosophy, our exports
would inevitably fall of.
! Sufficient time has elapsed tt
prove that the effect of the new Tar
if on foreign commerce will no
crafty its enemies. 1t is eviden,
that neither imports nor exports viii
diminish, but on the contrary, the.
will be enlarged under the influence
of the Tariff of1890.
The December report of the bu
reau shows the imports for the montl
to be the largest in our history, al
though the excess over the import
of December 1888, amounted to les
: than 100000 dollars, But in view
of the unusual quantity of goods i'm
ported during the summer and earl.
fall of 1890, in anticipation Of thu
Mckinley bill, it is surprising tina
the volume of imports in the late
months of the year should have beer
so we'll maintained. The stimula
ton given to imports by the pro
posed new Tariff is manifest if W,
compare the imports of 1890 will
those of 1889. During the 81,
months ending December 81, 1890
the imports amounted to SAP, 1911,
23O. During the corresponding pc
Rod of 1889 they were 1878, 1872, S57
For the year 1890 the imports wera
1928, $751; 1872, and for 1889 s77O,521
965.
The new Tariff bill, it must b
conceded, has disappointed its oppo
nents as regards its effect upon i'm
ports. We are confident that it vii
continue to disappoint them, ant
that with the growing prosperity o
the country our imports will stead
ly increase. This is in harmon,
with the Protective doctrine an(
with experience. These imports
will be limited more than hitherto
; to such things as this country doe
not produce. Our own industries
will be developed and widened
The larger exports of our manufac
lures will force a return in sucl
things as we want. The increasin,
wealth of the nation will demand
greater supply Of Injuries, the pro
duct Of foreign climes or foreigl