The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-08-01
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
a subscriber with Republican leaning
sends US the following:


Sends US the following:
Please give replies to the following queries:
First-Does free trade mean the total aboli-
ton OF the tariff:
No; free trade means equal taxation, and
thus differs from The present system of dis
elimination. A free trade tariff IS tariff
for revenue only, such as our tariff was be-
tween 1916 snd 1860. The British tariff is
called free trade tariff because IL does not
discriminate in favor OF one industry at the
expense OF others. The British tariff yields
over sl0O, 100000 annually TO that govern
ment, but II is free trade tariff. Free
trade does not consist either IN a high or
low tariff or in no tariff at all, but in a tariff
for revenue, be il high or low, so that il
does not discriminate against ore American
industry in favor OF another. \ tariff that
is levied for revenue is free trade tariff;
one levied 20 keep goods from comidg into
this couEtry is not for revenue at all, and
is q protective tariff. II il succeeds
in keeping out imported goods, and to
the precise extent that 1t does succeed in
this object, il cuts OF the revenue. Where
protection begins, there revenue ends;
protection and revenue are mutually
hostile. Free trade is thus defined by the
Century dictionary, the best authority in
our language: Free trade. unrestricted
trade; especially, trade or commerce be-
tween different countries free from re-
strictions or custom-duties; in a narrower
and more common sense, international
trade free from protective or discrimina-
tive duties; trade subject only to such
tariffs and regulations as are necessary for
revenue or police" This last definition is
the only free trade that is taught by the
Democratic party.
Can moderate or low tariff be termed
free trade:
Yes; and so can high tariff. England's
tariff averages 60 per cent, but 1t is con
fined to only nineteen articles--beer, cards,
chicory, coffee, gold and silver plate,
spirits, tea, tobacco, varnish and wine
being the chief items. Belgium is free
trade country, with an average Of 5 per
cent on everything imported. The manner
of levying the tax is what determines
whether the tax is for free trade or pro-
lection. a revenue tariff OF 100 per cent.
on everything taxed would be free trade
tariff.
3-If the tariff was aboiished-which would be
a loss to the capItaiist-would not he rich take
advantage Of the circumstances OF the poor, and
cause the poor TO work for smaller wages:
Certainly not; the capitalists now pay as
low wages as the work can be done for.
They give none of their protection to the
laborers. We have paid bounty in ad-
venced prices of l. cents pound on sugar
to the sugar trust for years, the total pro
lection we paid to the sugar refiners
amounting to 5 i5, 0OO, 600 annually. OF this
they paid only 5000. 600 in wages, and
could not pay a cent less if the protection
were entirely abolished. Our labor is now
the cheapest labor in the world, judged by
the amount and quality Of the work done.
The labor in gard of cloth. for example,
costs less here than in any other country,
though our cloth wesvers receive higher
wages per day. The reason is, our lsborers
do more work.
4-Derocrats talk OF cheap clothing. bu; how
can the poor compel the rich TO sell clothing
cheap when they are forced by Circumstances
70 submit 10 the rich mOnopolist.
If the poor are permitted to buy their
clothing in the cheap markets OF the world
they can easily compel the rich'' to SO
them clothing at the same price.
5-wiIl notthe Democrats, in trying to make
things better. cause a far worse condition TO
exist;
II you had asked whether Democratic
success might not change the revolution Of
the earth, you could not have asked ques-
ton more devoid Of meaning than this
vague inquiry.
Democrats are working to secure equal
taxation-tarif for revenue; and TO abolish
discrimination, or the taxation of one IN
dustry for the benefit Of another. II you
think equal taxation would cause a worse
condition to exist" we are content to let
you think so.