Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-10-31

man as compared with that of his en-
ployer. This also is a question not to
any considerable extent determined by
tariff regulations. But the absolute re-
turns of the laborer to those of other
countries are at least influenced by the
tariff.
In order that the forces tending to
keep our wages above those paid else
where may operate, we must be to some
extent isolated from the rest of the
world. Trade is a great leveler. Unre-
stricted it tends to equalize the condi-
ton of all those among whom it oper-
ates. The protection argument is not
invafidated by the admission that it is
scarcely probable that free trade would
reduce wages absolutely to the Euro
pean standard. The tendency would be
in that direction, and this tendency is
enough to lead us toset Our faces against
the free trade policy.
In the application of the general prin-
ciple of protection to the several pro-
visions of the Mckinley law we must
bear in mind that protective tariff,
satisfactory in most respects, already
existed. Our main work therefore will
be to criticise the changes authorized by
this measure.
The distinguishing features of the Nc
Kinley law may be grouped under seven
heads: /. An increase in certain duties.
2. A reduction in Others 8. An extern
sion of the free list. 4. Provision for
drawbacks. 5. A system of bounties.
6. Reciprocity clause. 7. Certain
changes in the internal revenue regula-
tons, which we have already consid-
cred.
Under the first division the changes
that have excited most comment have
been those in the duties upon wool and
tin.
In the year 1890 we imported wool and
manufactures of wool to the value of
$71 $40, 5lj, about per cent. of all our
imports. Only two other classes Of i'm
ports exceeded this sum in value-sugar
and coffee. neither of which falls within
the pale of protective operations. Now,
why should we import all these goods?
You have heard it said that the finest
grades of wool cannot be raised in the
United States. Perhaps not in New
York Or Ohio or Michigan, but the fact
needs to be pretty carefully demon
strated before we conclude that nowhere
in our vast country, with its great var
iety of soils and climates, can as fine
wool be grown as cheaply as anywhere
in the world. doubt if such proof is as
vet forthcoming. However, the McKin-
ley law made very little change in the
rates upon the higher grades of unmanu-
featured wool, so that the most that can
be charged against it here is negative
attitude On very cheap grades of wool,
valued at thirteen cents u pound (more
or less), the duty was nearly doubled.
But these certainly cannot include the
fine grades that cannot be raised in this
country,
The rates on wooden goods were ma
terially raised. No one, however, can
show why Cur wooden fabrics should not
be manufactured at home. The critic
can only recite the general free trade
argument, applicable to the greater part
of our industries, that our superiority is
less pronounced in this field than in
agriculture.
In the case Of tin plate similar consid-
erations might be urged. The bulk Of
such plate is steel, which we can as well
prepare at home as to import it, while
the timing is also a process for which
we are entirely competent.
The tariff on the ore (cassiterite) and
on pig tin will not go into effect until
July /, 1893, and if after two years
trial the total output has not reached
5000 tons the duty will be discontinued.
Such an addition to the comparatively
limited tin supply Of the world may be
confidently expected to reduce its price.
The most important reductions were
those in the duties upon iron and steel.
This reduction was very general through.
out this class Of manufactures, amount.
ing to 8 per cent. of the duty upon sheet
iron, 20 per cent. on common nails, from
to SO per cent. on steel rails and so on
This, however, involves no abandonment
Of protective principles. For several
years our output of iron and steel has
fallen little short of the English product
and finally America has taken the lead
This gives one reason for believing that
our iron industries can stand consider
able competition. A second considera'
ton is the confessedly greatresources Of
America in this line. Finally these
goods are so heavy that transportation
charges form an important addition tc
the cost Of foreign wares.
Why, then, You ask, is any tariff nee
essary? We reply that great as are oul
advantages in this field there is yet nc
reason to suppose them as great, rela.
lively, as in agriculture, so that by the
very convenient law Of commerce formu
lated by free traders we cannot regard
the perpetuity of our iron industries as
yet assured without continued protec
ton. In the second place, even were il
possible for this business to flourish UNI
der free trade, the Mckinley law de-
serves credit for not abolishing the tariff
all at once. The most unconditional ad
vocates of free trade admit that changes
in commercial regulations must be in
troduced slowly, Trade is very sensi
tive to disturbing elements, and wide
spread ruin may follow in the wake Of
the most promising reform if urged OF
too fast.
The reciprocity section has been per
sistently misunderstood. Democratic
organs for the diffusion Of information
~ among the masses have found here
evidence that protectionists do really
recognize the benefcence of free trade
But they urge, If a little free trade is {
good thing, why not more of it2 TIT
fact is there is not the remotest hint O