The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-12-26
TARIFFS AND PROSPERITY.

PrOtectlOnlStS claim that the wealth.
of the United States yves its existence
wholly to the system of protection. The
claim is not borne out by the experience
of other countries nor by this country.
The prosperity of our people is due to
the existence of conditions which pre-
vail in spite of the tariff. The country
is a comparatively new one; it comprises
a vast domain of extremely fertile lands;
its products are varied and sought for
by the markets of the world; its offer of
homes to the frugal and industrious of
other countries has brought hundreds Of
thousands of desirable immigrants to
our shores, and the country has grown
rich and powerful and become one of the
first nations in point of population and
enterprise and wealth on the face of the
globe. The tariff had nothing to do in
bringing about these conditions. This
proposition will not be disputed.
But vital statistics are not wanting to
prove that a high protective tariff does
not make IA people prosperous and rich.
In a carefully compiled tablessreccntly
published in the New York Commercial
Bulletin a great deal of light is thrown
upon this question. The table shows in
customs revenue of twelve European
countries and the United States in re-
cent years, the value of their total i'm
ports, their population and the ratio of
duties collected to the total imports.
The table is replete with important les
sons on the tariff. 1t shows that even
before the passage of the Mckinley bill
we collected a duty of 80 per cent on all
imported merchandise free, and dutia-
ble-or about AZ per cen on dutiable
goods. 1t further shows that but two
countries in Europe-Portugal and
Russia-gO beyond us in the extent of
the burden put upon m and up
On their people.
In 1SS9-under the old tariff the
United States collected S22i 100000 rev.
epue from imports amounting to S145,-
100000, while Great Britain collected
but 5~lOO,OO0.OOO from imports reaching
the enormous sum of S2,l00,00O,0O0.
The ratio of duties collected by this
country was 30 per cent; in Great
Britain it was 4.7G per cent. In 1880
France collected S~75,O00,0O0 on her i'm
ports of SSH, 0O0.OO0-a ratio of 913 per
cent. The same year Germany collected
5jS,OO0,OO0 on he. imports amounting to
5SG0,00O,O00, a ratio of GA per cent.
Russia in Europe collected in 1889 $5S,-
100000 on her imports of 5~l59,0O0,OOO,
the ratio being 3G.49, while Portugal col
lected S19,5O0,OOO on her imports Of
S41 ,500,0O0-a ratio of AZ per cent.
In four commissioned Britain, the
Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland
the average tariff rate is 800 per cent.
OF the 50, SS,0O0,OO0 worth of merchan-
disc imported by the twelve European
countries these four import $50 5000, or
30 per cent, although they have only
about one-sixth of the population. In
Italy, Portugal, and Russia the average
rate of duty is 30 per cent, the same as
in the United States. They have 40 per
cent Of the population and less than S
per cent of the total imports.
Thus it may be seen that the four
countries in Europe having the largest
commerce have an average rate of duty
of only $50 per cent, while in both
France and Germany the rate is less
than 10 per cent. We must 90 to Portu-
gal and Russia to find a rate of taxation
equal to or greater than that Of this
country. Yet 10 n has learned that
either Portugal or Russia are prosperous
countries. If high protection makes
prosperous countries they should be
prosperous. They are not, however
The relation of high tariff to prosperity
may well be seen by a comparison OF
Great Britain and Russia. In Europe
while the conditions are nearer equal il
will be noted that the countries having
the higher tariff rates are the least pros,
porous. AS has been stated the natura
resources of the United States are Sc
great that as "a people we can bear yer!
great burdens and still enjoy IA fair meas
ure of prosperity. The country prosperl
in spite of high tariffs. not through them
:
The split in the democratic party il
Louisiana over the lottery matter give,
the republicans some hope of carryin!
the state as the candidates of the part,
will be supported by the lottery men
' The latter expect to get a large majorit,
of the colored vote of the state and witt
, it they will make a desperate figh
1 opo;pot tho -lottery dan,ocr,t;,