The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-21
Tariff Taxes Must Be Reduced.


In his speech at Cordele on Friday
Speaker Crisp gave a very clear and con-
vincing statement of the benefits that would
follow a reduction of the tariff. A 80 per
cent. reduction of the tariff taxes would, he
said, increase the amount of money in cir
culation in Georgia several millions OF dol
lars. The people are saying that they want
an increase IL the volume Of the currency
n circulation. Speaker Crisp pointed out
the safest and surest way TO secure an in
crease. 1t is way in which the people can
be relieved of a large part of the burden OF
taxation that now bears 50 heavily upon
them.
1t is well worth noticing that the third
party people have little or nothing to say
about the necessity for reducing the tariff.
In fact, they are paying comparatively lit
tie attention to the tariff. Their whole ef-
fort seems to be TO convince the people that
il the per capita circulation OF money
should be increased to twice what 1t IL oy
issuing treasury notes, the material condi-
ton of the people, and par
ticularly the farmers, would be
as satisfactory as could be reasonably de-
sired. They seem to think that the govern
ment, by printing an unlimited amount OF
treasury notes, can Danish hard times and
poverty. They are mistaken, Of course. but
it is a difficult matter to convince them tn at
they are.
But the material condition Of the people
can be greatly improved by cutting down
the tariff taxes These taxes take great
deal more Of their substance than they
realize. Because they do not pay them
directly they do not understand how much
those taxes have to do with keeping them
poor.
Speaker Crisp is right when he says that
II the tariff taxes were reduced one-half
there would be great increase in the vol
ume of the money in circulation in Georgia,
because one-half of the money that now goes
out Of the state to pay these taxes would
remain at home. For Instance, there are
now tariff taxes on ,jute bagRing and cotton
ties. Would not a very large sum remain
in the pockets Of the cotton growers II there
should be a reduction of so per cent. In the
duties upon these articles? Aud when 1t is
remembered that tine number OF articles
used by the masses Of the people, upon which
there is tax that has to be paid by the
consumers, is very large, 1t becomes appar-
emit that tariff reduction means a great In
crease IN the volume Of the currency in cir
culation.
There Ia another way IN which the people
should look at this tariff question, especially
the people of the south. Neither cotton nor
naval stores-tWo great southern products
can be produced prohtably at prevailing
prices, unless a great reduction ia made in
cost Of production.
But how can the cost Of production be
lessened7 Only by bringing about a reduc-
tion In the cost Of those things which enter
into production. In the production OF both
naval stores aad cotton many thugs are
necessary which cost a great deal more
than they would IL there were not such
heavy tariff upon them. II this tariff were
educed there would, in all probability, be
a fair margin Of profit in both cotton and
naval stores at present prices.
Democrats who have left the Democratic
party hoping to better their material con-
dition by supporting the third party. are
acting against their own interests The
third party has no chance whatever for get
ting control of the government, but even If
it should get into power. the remedies it
proposes for lettering the condition of the
people would not be found to be effective.
But it is easy to demonstrate that the reme-
dies proposed by the Democratic party
would give the people the relief they ask.
All the Democratic party wants is a chance
to apply its remedies.