Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1891-12-17
THE TARIFF.
An Approval of the Results of tho Mo-
Kinley Bill.

An Approval of the Results of tho Mo-
Kinley Bill.
The general interest in the operations OF the
treasury department has been much augmented
during the last year by reason Of the conflicting
predictions which accompanied and followed tho
tariff and other legislation of the last congress
affecting the revenue, as to the results of this
legislation upon the treasury and upon the
country. On the one hand. 1t was commended
that imports would 30 fall off as to leave the
treasury bankrupt, and that the prices OF arti-
cles entering into the living Of the people would
be so enhanced az to dsastrously affect their
comfort and happiness while, on the other, 1t
was argued that the loss to the revenue. largely
the result OF placing sugar the free list, would
be direct gain to the people; that the prices OF
the neceSsaries Of life, including those most
highly protected, would not be enhanced; that
ucts advanced prices, while the treasury surplus
and receipts would be adequate to meet the ap-
preparations including the large exceptional ex-
penditures for the refunding to the states OF the
direct tax and the redemption Of the Ak per cent
bonds.
1t is not my purpose to enter at length into q
discussion OF the effects of the legislation to
which have referred; but q brief examination
OF the statistics OF the treasury and general
glance at the state Of business throughout the
quiry that its results have disappointed the evil
prophecies Of its opponents and In a large meas
ure realized the hopeful predictions OF Its friends.
Rarely II ever before. in the history OF the coun.i
try has there been q time when the proceeds Of
one day g labor or the product OF one farmed
acre would purchase SO large an amount OF
those things that enter INTO the living Of the
masses OF the people. believe that q full test
Will disclose the fact that the tariff act OF the
Ftty.frst congress ia very favorable in It's aver
age effect upon the prices OF articles entering
into common use.
During the twelve months from Oct I, 1890,
to Sept 30, 1891, the total value Of our foreign
comnserca (mnorts and exports combipedl was
$1,747, $685. 0G, which was the largest OF any
year in the history OF the United States The.
largest In any previous year Was in 1890, when
our commerce amounted to 81 ,647. 130, O98,
and the last year exceeds this enormous aeere.
gate by over one hundred millions. II Is inter
esting and TO some will be surprising, to know
that during the year. ending Sept. 30, 1891, our
imports Of merchandise am ounted to 1924, 7l5,.
27O, which WAS an increase OF more then eleven
million dollsrs over the value OF imports Of the
corresponding months of the preceding year,
when the imports of merchandise were unusually
large In anticipation of the tariff legislation then
pending. The average annual value OF the i'm.
1881 to 1890 was $8e2, 18B6.2. and during
the year ending Sept. 30, 1891. This annual av-
erage was exceeded by S132. 52s 469 e 81
The value of free imports during the twelve
months ending Sen -. lSA I, was S1lS,092..
867 more than the value OF free imports during
the correspondence twelve months OF the preced.
ing year. and there was .tlpring ssame period:
ports Of dutiable merchant BE. The percentaes
OF merchandise admitted free Of duty during the
year which have referred, II he first under tbe
5peWStariff was A8s18 while during the spreced.s
Ing twelve months, under the old tariff, the pers,
asatsse Eas ~ lnqseaae Of II b. mn oent,