New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-21
4 YEAR OF THE NEW TARIFF.
/. REVIEW OF THE SITUATION BY MR., HoRR.

rur PROTECTION SHIP HEADING TRUE FOR Ma
11oNAL PROPERTY AND NOW SAILING
WITH FAIR WIND - CONFUSION OF
THE PARTY THAT LovETH AND
MAKETH LIE.
T. Is now little more than one year since /
h.gan writing for The New-York Weekly Tribune.
7 nurpose now to have a talk with my readers con-
eerning what has been done during that time and
spesk word as to future prospects.
When l began my work in this new field of
labor the country had just emerged from politi-
cal conflict from which the Republicans had come
ont beaten on all sides. The lower house Of
Congress had been changed from a body having
a Republican majority of Is TO one with a
democratic majority of over 1876. Such q COM
,lete revolution has seldom been witnessed in
representative government. 1t could be fifty COM
pared to nothing except political cyclone. Re-
pnblicans were everywhere dumbfounded and
many Of them discouraged. The Democrats were
everywhere jubilsnt. Many of them were wild
With Joy and profuse in Standardization. Not a
few were imprudent and harsh in their criticisms
mon the situation. 1t was marvellous with what
self-cemp lacency they would announce that the
Republican party is dead and gone forever, and
from this ON the Democrats are to have it all
their own way" An expression of contempt would
take possession of their countenances at the mere
mention of any Republican who claimed that the
Democratic victory might, after all, be temporary
NO no they were in the saddle once again, and
in 10 stay"
The readers of The Tribune will bear me witness
that in the very outset l stated that. while our
defeat had been complete, it had been
caused by the most systematic misrepresenta-
nd WIGHT lyip
in any political contest. The Mckinley bill was
then new and untried. Farm products were low
in price; times were hard and discomfort every
where prevailed. In many of the Western States
discomfort and dissatisfaction seemed to riot
and we had cranks Of every description galore.
We were told that the Mckinley blu would
drive up the price of all manufactured goods, and
would prevent this country from selling its farm
products abroad. The enemies of the bill asserted
that that measure had built Chinese wall about
our Nation; and that the United States would no
longer be able TO transact much business with the
rest of the world. They asserted that the reel
procity clause of the bill was fraud and lie
and that, under its provisions, treaties would
ever be made which would furnish new market
for pound of pork or barrel of -four"
Now and then Republican would be found with
courage enough TO defend the bill and to ask its
opponents to economic their breath. stop their
lying and wholesale abuse for while and give the
bill fair trial. 1t awaited little. Their heads
were turned with their recent victories. From
their ranting, one would have concluded
that the bill already dead-letter
and that, by some trick OF legerdemain, il would
be repealed even without any action on the
part Of Congress. The mere suggestion that the
new tariff law was going to be tried, even in
spite OF the elections, would make its enemies
howl with rage. What, try bill that had just
been condemned by the people-overwhelmingly
condemned? Yes" some of said 1" it is 60
ing 20 be tried. The condemnation you speak of
took place without any trial. The testimony
offered was simply that of false witnesses. The
liars have had their day in court; and now the
people propose 10 test the bill by its practical
workings Business men will judge of it by it's
effects. You noisy demagogues, please keep
still and we will soon learn about the law by see
ing how it works"
One year has come and gone. The first years
business under the new tariff law has been COM
peted and its resources are now known. The re-
port of the Secretary of the Treasury is made, and
from 1t, the President, in his message to Con
gress, has condensed the whole result. / give it
below. This statement should be read by every
man and woman in the United States 1t con-
tains an answer full and complete to every false
statement made and reported so often in the fall
of 1890. Here is what the President says;
1t is not my purpose TO enter at any length
into a discussion Of the effects of the legislation
10 which have referred; but a brief examination
Of the statistics Of the Treasury and general glance
al the state Of business throughout the country WILL
think satisfy any impartial Inquirer that its re-
suits have disappointed the evil prophecies of its
opponents and In large measure realized the hopeful
predictions Of its friends Rarely, II before,
he ~ Tho try has hpp a
when the proceeds of days 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 full
test will develop the fact that the tariff act OF the
List Congress is very favorable in its average
effect upon the prices of articles entering into
common use.
Dunnr the twelve months from October l. 1890,
10 September 80, 1891, the total value OF our
foreign commerce Imports and exports combined was
s1,747, 500 4O6, which the largest OF any year
in the history of the United States The largest
In any previous year was In 1890 when our coih-
merce amounted to 81 647 130 O93, and the last year
exceeds this enormous aggregate by over SlOooOoooo
1t is interesting, and to some will be surprising 10
know that during the year ending september 80
1891 our imports of merchandise amounted 10 So@4'-
270, which was an increase OF more IMAM %ii'-
O0 over the value of the imports of the
Ing months Of the preceding year, when the Imports vi
merchandise were unusually large in anticipation Oh 'he
tariff legislation then pending. The cage annual
value of the imports Of merchandise for tie Ten
years from 1851 y 1890 was SG021o0''22' ana
during the year ending September 80, 1871 lihs
annual average was exceeded by S132,529'469.
The value Of free imports during the twelve moi'hS
ending September 80, 1891, was S119,Oo2'3o' more
than the value Of free imports during the corresponding
twelve months Of the preceding year, ana thefe was
during the same period decrease of $1O6 94oooo In
the value OF imports of dutiable merchandise Inc
percentage of merchandise admitted free Of duty during
the year to which have referred the first under the
new tariff, was 4s1s, while during the precedihs
twelve months under the old tariff, the percentage
take