The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-04
HILL AND PROTECTION.

Anew York special dated on the I'd instant,
stated that, ut the frce-trade demonstration NJ
the Cooper Union. Thursday night. q letter OF
regret at his inability 10 be present was re-
ceived from Governor Hill. in which he de-
clared himself opposed 10 free trade and came
out "Aat-foote for protection"
No one who is at all familiar with Governor
| Hills record could. for moment. entertain
the idea that he had ever expressed any
such sentiments as those attributed to him.
| OF course Governor Hill is not
| in favor Of absolute free trade
under existing conditions. Neither is any
| other thinking man In the country. In fact,
free trade is an absolute impossibility, for so
long az the large public debt of the United
States has TO be met, and so long rs the Gov
ernment has TO pay ont over hundred million
dollars year in the way of pensions in addi-
ton to regular running expenses. 50 long
must a tremendous revenue be raised. This
can only be done in two ways, by tariff or
by direct taxation. and no man, who has any
regard for his political salvation. will attempt
to favor the latter. So we must have O tariff.
and very good tariff at that.
But the difference between the Democratic
and Republican parties is that the former
favors a tariff no higher than is absolutely
necessary to bring in the needed revenue, and
SO adjusted as TO be as little burdonsome rs
possible TO the tax-paying masses, while
the latter desires o tariff so high as to prevent
the general importation Of foreign goods. so
that American manufacturers may enjoy, as
far as may be- monopoly of the market.
This is the simple difference between Demo-
cratic tariff reform and Republican protec-
ton. One party favors a tariff for the benefit
Of tho many tOiling people; the other for the
benefit of the few fortunate manufacturers.
Governor Hill in his letter Of regret to the
frce-trade meeting, which was published in
this paper yesterday morning, merely puts
himself fairly and squsrely on the Democratic
platform of tariff reform, and that was tho
only approach made by him to fiat
footed protection" In fact he could not
possibly have done otherwise, without
expressing views directly ut variance with his
previous record and utteranccs Every one
knows that the great issue between the parties
last fall was this of tariff reform against
protection. Governor Hill in that cam
paign took IN active part in behalf of
the people, making several good. sound
Democratic speeches, and he contribu-
ted his full share 10 the splendid victory
which swept the Republican majority in the
lower House Of Congress ont of existence. as
if tidal wave had overwhelmed it. and almost
gave the Democrats control Of the Senate.
For him TO have come out on Thursday last
1lat-footed for protection" would, therefore
have been 10 stultify himself most egregiously.
What New York's Democratic governor.did
say was: II am not an advocate Of free trade
and never have been. stand with the Demo
cratic party in favor of tariff reform, which
means a reduction of the present excessive
and iniquitous tariff and the retention Of the
tariff limited to the necessities Of the Govern
ment economically administered" In this he
expressed sound Democratic doctrine, and
voiced the unanimous sentiment Of his party.