New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-22
THE TARIFF AND PUBLIC OPINION


It would crafty Democratic journals oeyohu
measure if they could kindle flames OF dlscoru vi
the tariff question in the Republican camp ohe
circumstance they have always In their favor
Differences of opinion regarding details OF tne
tariff always exist among those who favor the
protective policy Men do and must always
differ about the expediency of this or that out OF
MANY hundred duties. Others differ, and always
Iii differ about the amount of duty that is re-
orirod for protection in a few out OF many
bundred cases. He who fixes his eyes on these
SIN all differences. and refuses to see anything
else can easily deceive himself, and may possibly
deceive others, with the notion that the sup
norters of the tariff are about to destroy 1t by
warning among themselves.
But whoever surveys the situation with candor
must recognize that the new tariff is very much
stronger in public favor than it was when
enacted. The people have found that the goods
thew buy of almost all sorts actually cost them no
more than the same goods would have cost be-
fore the new tariff was enacted. The few articles
that have advanced are with scarcely an eX-
ception articles not in use by the great majority
of the people, who shed no tears if this or that
Injury has been rendered little more COSTLY 10
tho rich and fashionable. With daily practcM
demonstration that the necessities OF life cost no
more than before, there has also come to most
nersons in every part Of the country knowledge
of now establishments which have gone into
peration because Of the tariff, or works which
have been enlarged or which were formerly ldle
but are now operated Practical men waste no
time on theories when such facts confront them.
They know that enlargement OF industry ana
production. without additional cost 10 consumers
means benefit to the country.
Differences that existed when the new tariff
was enacted have been wholly or partially re-
moved by experience of its results. These dlf-
ferences were in many cases due 10 opposing
opinons as to the effect OF particular PROVISIONS
Both hopes and fears were often exaggerated III
snch instances. as is natural. The cold ana pltl-
less logic of facts has shown thousands OF men
that they INDUCED fears without reason FER
haps no better illustration OF this can be 1ound
than the course of the wool market. A good
many manufacturers really imagined that foreign
woods would he rendered so costly that they
could not be employed in production, and feared
they were going to be ruined by exclusion OF
foreign supplies and by unreasonable demands
of domestic producers But the quotations Tor
fourteen kinds of foreign wool, ranging all the
way from the lowest Cape to the choicest comb
ing Australian, average not quite half cent
higher than October .. before the new tariff had
gone into effect, and the advance on 104 quail
ties and grades of domestic wool also averages
not quite half cent per pound Inc MANU-
facture has enormously increased It's consumption
under the new tariff, without as yet obtaining
any more money for goods produced.
The carpet manufacture was going TO oe
rned. some honestly feared. But 1t makes ana
sells az many carpets at exactly the same quota
tions, as before the new tariff went into effect
The producers of canned goods were going to be
ruined some said but they have increased thelr
business without advancing their prices or hnd-
ing cans more costly. In. thousand such ways
men have learned that their honest differences OF
Opinion in regard to the effect OF the tafh were
the result of mistakes or misrepresentation, anu
those differences have accordingly faded away
Some remain. it is true but there can be no hon
est dispute about the fact that large proportion
Of those that seemed threatening six months ago
have passed out Of sight and out of mind.
Multitudes who ardently desired enlargement
of trade through reciprocity with Central and
South American countries, when the new tariff
was enacted, were so impressed by the false
representations of opponents that they believed
nothing could be accomplished in that direction.
They, also, have already discovered their mis-
take. They know that treaties of great I'M
portance have been negotiated. and that others
are in process of negotiation, which will vastly
extend the trade of the country, while strength
ennp and not in the least weakening the de-
fences of its industry.