The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-11

the world, but the facts that are
as apparent to others they are blind to.
The statement of President Harrison
that there is certainly nothing in the
condition of trade, foreign or domestic
there is certainly nothing in the condi-
tion of our people of any class to sug-
gest that the existing tariff and revenue
legislation bears oppressively upon the
people or retards the commercial devel-
opment of the nation" causes them I'M
told anguish. Mr.. Harrison's statement
is based upon figures showing the exact
value of exports and imports, but they
will not recognize figures. The facts
are so far removed from the conclusions
deduced from theory that they must and
will insist that they are only imaginary.
Here are the figures;
Total value of foreign commerce Gm-
ports and exports combined) from Oct.
/, 1890, To Sept. 30, 1891, 81, ,747, 800, ,406.
Total value Of foreign commerce from
Oct. 1, 1889, to Sept. 30, 1890, 81 ,647, $780,
093.
Increase under the Mckinley tariff
law, 500, ,667, ,3l3.
Value of imports during the year end
ing Sept. 80, 1891, 1924, 1920.
Increase over the preceding year
Though the imports were then exceed
ingly large in anticipation of the passage
of the Mckinley bill,) over Sl1 ,OOO, 900.
Increase over the average annual value
of imports for the ten years from 1881,
Sl32, ,52s, 500.
Increase in the value of free imports
during the year ending Sept. 30, 1891,
over the preceding year $l1s, ,092 1897.
Decrease in the value of dutiable mer-
chandize imported during the year end
ing Sept. 80, 1891, compared with the
preceding year, sl06, ,s46,50s.
Percentage of merchandise admitted
free during the year ending Sept. 80,
1891, 4S.1s.
Percentage of merchandise admitted
free during the preceding year, A.27.
The free traders and the tariff re-
formers will not in all probability study
these figures. They will cause too many
of their pet ideas to fall TO the ground.
They would give them fewer opportun-
titles to rave about the oppressiveness of
the Mckinley tariff and the obnoxious
ness of protection to American indus
tries. That the Mckinley law has
aided manufacturing industries the fol-
lowing figures show:
Value of exports for the twelve
months ending Sept. 30, 1891, 1923, ,09l,-
1876.
Value of exports for the twelve pre-
ceding months, $500, ,177,1L5.
Increase under the Mckinley tariff
law, $62, ,9l4,O2l
Increase in the value Of agricultural
products, SIS, $40, 1871
Increase in the value of manufactured
products, l6,s2S, ,240.
These figures are surely ominous to
the theories of the free traders. They
should be cut out and pasted in the hat
of every believer in protective tariff.
There can be no cause for wonder that
President Harrison when he studied
them was inspired to write.
A brief examination OF the statistics of the
treasury and IA general glance at the state of
business throughout the country Will, i
think, satisfy any impartial inquirer that Its
Cthe Mckinley tariff law results have disap-
pointed the evil prophecies of its opponents
and in u large measure realized the hopeful
predictions of its friends. Rarely, IL ever, be-
fore in the history of the country has there
been time when the proceeds of one 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
Fifty-trst Congress Is very favorable In Its
inc into common Use.