New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-14
SoyE ROCK.BOTTOM FACTS.

Ex.Ninister Phelps looks forward to tariff
campaign in 1897 with Grover Cieveland DIS
the Democratic leader Mr. Phelps thinks that
the people have not fully made up their mlnds
as to the tariff policy they prefer This Is true
enough. il Mr.. Phelps means that the people
are always ready to be convinced that changes
are desirable. Nothing is settled forever IN the
mind of an intelligent man. AS situations
change he changes. The American people,
however. are distinctly conservative. Ihey are
now supplying their governmental revenues anu
conducting their foreign trade under SYSTEM
of duties which has contradicted every predic-
ton its opponents ventured to make when IL
was under discussion in Congress. They said
it would swell the revenues but it has reduced
them in the first year of its operation precisely
S41.396,42549. They said it would diminish
imports. but it has increased them by precisely
S25,6s1,316. They said it would diminish ex-
ports. but it has increased them by precisely
S4s.316.O93, and the total increase OF the coun-
try's foreign trade is double the average annual
increase during the last twenty years. They
said il would impose upon the people heavier
rate of taxation than they had ever paid before,
but the rate is actually only SO OF per CAPITA
73 cents less than the per capita rate in 1883
80. and 81 cents less than the annual average
rate collected since the War.
The enemies of the new tariff SAID Il was
can increase of duties all around" but, as
matter of fact, it has so added to the free llst
as to increase the percentage OF free lmporta-
tons from "a per cent to So, providing much
the largest percentage of free imports known IN
the entire history of our country, whether under
q Protective or a Free Trade Tariff. They said
the new tariffs burdens would fall with especial
severity on the farmer, and they predicted the
utter ruin of his export business. But the pro-
portion of agricultural exports during the flrst
wear OF the new tariff was exactly the same rs
during the last year of the old, and during
August. 1891 they amounted to 72.45 per cent,
as compared with 64.54 per cent in August,
1890. It was stoutly maintained by the Demo
Gratis that the new tariff would cause general
rise of retail prices, whereas they are certainly
as low as they were in the spring Of 1880, and
probably, upon the whole, somewhat lower. III
was alleged that the new tariff would snevousiy
hurt domestic commerce, whereas the country
was never so prosperous as it is at this momehV.
MFR. Pheps's views are interesting as those OF
a statesman of the first class, and Democrat
who especially represents that element oil MS
marty which is most competent, most progressive
and most patriotic. The time is now upon us
when shape should be given to the issues OF
1892, and it is gratifying to hear from respon-
sible leaders clear and straightforward state
ment of opinion. With such appealing facts as
we have cited to place before the people,. the
Republican party will welcome tariff campaign
with naculiar satisfaction, serenely confident that
the truth will prevail against Democratic the
ory, as it has overcome and ridiculed Democratic
prediction.