Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-11-03
TRUE TARIFF REFORM.
Gov. Boies Outlines the Position of tn
Democracy.

Gov. Boies Outlines the Position of the
Democracy.
When Thomas G. Sherman. the
noted tariff reform advocate of New
York, was in Iowa last week making
speeches to the farmers OF the state
Gov. Boies was in Missouri and Chica-
go, consequently they did not have
chance to meet and exchange views.
Mr.. Shearman. therefore, addressed
letter to Gov. Roies, in which he dwelt
at some length upon the protective
tariff as it affects the western farmer.
To this letter the governor made the
following interesting reply:
"DEs MONIES, Ia Oct 2i--My Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 18th inst has greatly inter
ested NE, and confirms by its statistics even
more strongly than had expected the opinion
which l had formed without /: close study OF de-
tails.
The simple fact that the exports of American
farm products increased fifty per cent within
one year after the adoption OF the revenue tariff
OF 1915. that they doubled within eight years
and trebled within fourteen years tall this be-
ing a rate of increase which has never been
eGualed before sincet is conclusive proof OF
the immense advantage which is conferred by
purely revenue tariff upon the American farmer
Our protectionist friends constantly declare
that they care only for facts and not for theory
II we met them on the simple ground OF facts,
| the PROOF tnat revenue tafIHS DTiHR prosperity
to the American farmers beyond any others
would be conclusive But am glad that you
have called attention to the reason for the fact,
well to the fact itself 1t perfectly clear
that Europe cannot possibly buy our farm prod
ucts unless European goods are accepted, either
by us or by other people to whom we are in
debted, in payment for these products. Every
obstacle which is thrown in the way Of the i'm
portation of foreign merchandise deprives our
farmers of much custom for their wheat,
corn and cotton Foreigners will not and can
not send US their products without receiving
payment in our products. and more than three
fourths of our payments for imported goods are
made in things which are raised by the farmers
of the west and south Every s10o,000,0Oo worth
of foreign goods which is shut out by protee-
tive tariff means $780, 900 Of cash customers
lost to American producers
tine increase OF exports OF American farm
products which has taken place during the last
year is proof of this fact. 1t is due TO an in
crease of importations which has taken place in
spite of all the efforts OF protectionists TO keep
them out This increase OF imports has been
only in articles which they were compelled to
let in free of duty in order 20 retain high taxes
upon goods competing with the projections OF
favored manufacturers. Free sugar and free
hides which the republican platform of 1888 did
not favor-preferring free whisky and tobacco
but which were forced upon relactant party
managers by outside pressure, hare come in in
by American farm products 1 am glad that
we have free raw sugar, and hope that we
shall keep 1t free.
But scarcely any Of our farm products arc
| taken by the countries producing sugar, hides,
| tea and coffee. We pay for these goods by
| sending out wheat, corn and cotton to Europe:
and Europe sends its manufactures to Cuba,