The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-12-14

ID. .IUII4I-tII1 u uAI. Nct~rNAs-
taxifl seem 70 proceed may be briefly
stated thus; Shut out foreign merchan-
disc; limit the market TO American pro-
tocts; let NJ deal with ourselves and ex-
port only sur surplus. BY this policy We
VIII reduce the cost Of articles OF general
consumption, increase wages and make
everybody happy. Upon that cry the
Republican party invites the votes OF tbs
lWo extremes Of Industrial activity and
Tor diverse reasons The manufacturer 10
promised larger profits, and the wage
Farmers and consumers are guaranteed
higher wages and lower prices for what
they buy. Indeed, the g. o. p. claims
that Il has discovered the elixir OF life In
nsystom which increases the profits Of
manufacture while reducing the price Of
the manufactured article.
This Juggling with terms y thus ex-
planned, says the Republics When you
sxclue the foreign trader from the mar
net by prohibitory duty, you increase
the value of all domestic products. The
field being given up solely 70 the homo
market, competition begins, and compo-
tition always lowers prices. The stImu-
iation Of competition makes larger de-
mand upon the productive capacity;
Workmen, and that, In time, means high
IL wages. This theory would be deli
ciously attractive II 1t did not como into
violent collision with the cold facts OF
industrial experience. Having como into
such contact, 1t Il what EX-SENATOR In
gals called morality In politician ssir-
ridescent dream"
There are scores OF sound maxims which
refute and overthrow absolutely the the
cries put forth by these false economists
and selfish schemsrs. The repression Of
trade by legislative enactment In con-
trary to public policy, and unsafe rs an
experiment. The truth Of this will DO
readily admitted. Then again II will not
be questioned outside of tho protected
districts and sections that II Is impossi-
BILE for people to grow rich by increas.
ing their burdens OF taxation.
But apart from the principles OF eco
nomic science we have the stubborn fact
that tho high protective tariff does not
increase wages or stimulate production
by limiting competition to the domestic
market. In fact, 1t destroys competition.
The effsct OF the Republican policy In
this direction since the war has bsen to
encourage the establishment OF trusts,
purpose OF which ist TO limit production
Tor the purpose offcreating scarcity in
the market and thereby enhancing the
value Of commodities. The tariff Of 1888
was the highest we ever had as q nation
MP 10 that time; II was higher and more
oppressive than the war tariff. Its object
was clearly stated by its authors and de-
tenders. II was not to supply revenue
q ..l,,a Nos aT,A Nal iau
20 favored interests. The moment q gov
ernment lays 1t down as settled policy
that Its funds are open to persons who
j have the ability or ingenuity to get at
them, that moment 1t throws the doors
open TO fraud, profgacy and pilfering.
The logical result OF the high tarin Of
1883 and the higher tariff of 1890 was the
looting Of the treasury by Reeds Com
cress. Another result was the increase
IN the number OF trade combinations for
the purpose OF robbing the people.
Nearly 100 trusts have sprung into life
since the Mckinley bill was enacted into
law. Senator Aldrich wrote circular
letters to all OF them before he made his
speech in the Sanate on the tariff He
gave them to understand that he was
their defender and their friend, and that
he wanted the most favorable report pos
sible. OF the entire list only twenty five
admitted their existence; q few denied
any such thing as trust, but large
number admitted an understanding
among the manufacturers and producers
upon the questions Of production and
prices. The names Of the twenty 1--WE
trusts are given in the subjoined table
with the amount OF duty imposed upon
the foreign articles that come into COM
petition with their product: IL