Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-11-03
TRUE TARIFF REFORM.
Gov. Boies Outlines the Position of til
nQr1

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 a
chance to meet and exchange views.
Mr.. Shearman, therefore, addressed a
letter to Gov. Boies, 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. 24.-My Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 18th inst. has greatly inter-
ested me, and confirms by its statistics even
more strongly than had expected the opinion
which 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
or 1916, that they doubled within eight years
and trebled within fourteen years (all this be-
ing rate of increase which has never been
eQualed before or since) is conclusive proof of
the immense advantage which is conferred by a
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 that revenue tariffs bring 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
as well as to the fact itself tits 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
oebted, IN payment for these products Every
obstacle which is thrown in the way of the inn
portation Of foreign merchandise deprives our
farmers OF so 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 800 900 600 worth
OF foreign goods which is shut out by q protec-
tive tariff means 800. 600 900 OF cash customers
lost to American producers.
The increase Of exports of American farm
products which has taken place during the last
year Is proof OF this fact It is due to an in
crease OF lmportatons which has taken place in
spite OF oil the efforts of protectionists to keen
them out This increase OF imports has been
only in articles which they were compelled to
let In Tree OF duty In order to retain high taxes
upon goods competing with the projections OF
favored manufacturers Free sugar and free
hides. which the republican platform of 1883 did
not favor-preferring free whisky and tobacco
but which were forced upon reluctant party
managers by outside pressure, have come in in
greatly increased quantities and are paid for
by American farm products 1 am glad tina,
We have free raw sugar, and I none that we
shall keep it free.
But scarcely any of our farm products are
taken by the countries producing sugar hides
/ tea ana conee- We pay for these goods by
l sendlng out wheat, corn and Gotten to Europe:
and europe sends its manufactures to Cuba