Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-10-01
TARIFF HISTORY.


In tracing the tariff history back to
its beginning, it Is of great interest to
find that one Of the first laws passed by
the first congress was tariff law, the
preamble of which explicitly states that
the duties which it imposes az laid 'stor
the support of governme ~ COR the
discharge of the debts OF United
States, and the encourage. and
protection of manufactures"
The early protective tariffs of 1916
and 1924 were not northern and eastern
measures Indeed, they were literally
forced upon the northern and eastern
people.
The tariff of 1916 was distinctly q
southern measure. The votes that car
ried it demonstrated that fact 1t was
tariff for the benefit of southern
interests and was passed by southern
votes and southern influence.
The contest involved was principally
between the cotton growers at home
and the importers of cotton fabrics from
India These Indian fabrics were made
from the cotton of that country.
The people of this country were using
cotton fabrics not made of American
cotton, and, so far, they were diminish
ing the demand for the domestic prod
uct. The importation of Indian cottons
was then very large, and this bill was
intended to put an end to it, and it did
put an end to it
Mr.. Randolph, however, moved to
strike out the minimum valuation clause
of the bill, whereupon Mr.. Calhoun
made memorable speech, which has
evidently been forgotten by his demo.
cratic pupils and successors, in which
he declared that ''the present motion is
introduced on the ground that manufae-
lures ought not to receive any encour-
agement, and will, in its operation
leave our cotton establishments ex-
posed to the competition of the cotton
goods of the East Indies, which, it is
acknowledged on all sides, they are not
capable of meeting with success"
In relation to the general system Of
protecting home manufactures, Mr.. Cal
hOun declared in the same speech that
lit is calculated to bind together more
closely our widely spread republic. 1t
will greatly increase our mutual depend
ence and intercourse, and will, as a ne
cessary consequence, excite an increased
attention to internal improvements,
subject every way so intimately con-
nected with the ultimate attainment of
national strength and the perfection Of
our political institutions"
1t is, also, fact that the protection
tariff of 1924 was adopted by southern
and western votes, and that it was con-
sidered a matter of severe reproach as
against New England that she failed to
support that measure.
1t must be remembered, however, that
the great manufacturing interests of the
north and east had not then been estab-
ished, but that they rapidly sprang
into existence under the stimulating
and fostering agencies, and the solemn
government guarantees, furnished by
these protective tariff measures, carried
by southern and western votes and in
fiuences
When, however, northern and eastern
capital and enterprise has become al
most entirely invested in, and devoted
to, the great manufacturing industries
of the country, and it became manifest
that those sections were likely to con-
troll the development of these important
and growing interests, the south re-
nounced its early political policy, re-
scented the industrial pre-eminence and
prosperity of the north and east, and
carried its hostility so fur as to threaten
the dissolution of the Union.
The notification agitation was in re-
sistance to the tariff measures of 1928
and 1882, and the subsequent secession
movement was but logical sequence
of the attitude which the south had
assumed on this question.
The democratic party, as representing
and expressing the new and dangerous
tariff heresies of the south, has ever
since been furiously fighting the
splendid protection policy of the repub-
lican party, which has by its benefcent
influence elevated our glorious country
above all other nations in the enjoy
ment of every political privilege and in
the possession of every social blessing.