The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-12-16
THE TARIFF.


I believe thas the protective system,
which now for something Ike thirty years
has prevailed In our Legislation, has been
Almighty instrument for tho development
OF our national wealth and most power
ful agency in projecting tho homes OF our
Workinen from the invasion OF want.
have felt most solicitous interest to pro.
serve to our working people, rates or
wages that would not only give daily
bread, but supply a comfortable margin
for those home attractions and family com
fortE and enioyments, without which life
Ia neither hopeful nor sweet. They are
American citizens-A part Of the great peo-
ple for whom our Constitution and gov
eminent were framed and instituted--and
II cannot be perverson OF that constttu-
ton to 80 leRislate 30 as TO preserve In
their homes the comfort, Independence,
LOYALTY and sense Of interest in the gov
eminent which arc essential to good citi-
Zenship in peace and which will bring
them as in 1881. to the defense OF the nag
when ii Is assailed.
It is not my purpose to renew here tho
argument In favor OF protective tariff
The result Of the recent election must be
accepted as having introduced q new pol
lcY, We must assume that the present
tariff, constructed upon the lines OF pro
lection, is to be repealed and that there Is
10 substituted for 1t q tariR law con-
structed solely for revenue; thatnO duty IL
TO be higher because the increase will keep
open an American mill or keep up the
wages OF an American workman, but that
In every case such rate Of duty Is to bo
imposed as will bring to tho treasury
Of the United States the largest returns Of
revenue. The contention has not been be-
tween schedules, but between principles
and 1t would be offensive to suggest that
the prevailing party will not carry into
legislation the principles advocated " II
and the pledges given TO the people, The
tariff bills passed by the house OF repre-,
sentatives at the last session, were, as
supposed, even In the opinion Of their pro
moters, inadequate and justified only BY
the fact that tho senate and house Of rep
rosentatiVes were not In accord and that
general revision could not, therefore, be
undertaken.
/ recommend that the whole subject oil
tho tariff be left TO the incoming congress
| Ii 10 q matter Of regret that this work
must be delayed for at least three. monthB
for tho threat of great tariff changes In
PRODUCES so much uncertainty that an
amount not easily estimated, Of business
inaotion and Of diminished production,
will necessarily result. 1t is possible also
that this uncertainty may result In do
creased revenues from customs
duties, for our merchants vii
mako cautious orders for foreign goods In
and AF6 sEsertainty as to when 1t will TAXI
effect.
Those who have advocated a protective
tariff can we'll afford to have their disas
trous forecasts Of q change Of policy dis
appointed. IL system OF customs dutie
car, be framed that win set the idle wheel
and looms Of Europe In motion and crow
our warehouses with foreign made good
and at the same time keep our own mill
busy, 1t will givo us an increased pal
ticlpation In "the markets OF tho world
OF q greater value than the home marke
that we surrender: 1t will give increase
work to foreign workmen upon product
to DO consumed by our people ,withou
diminishing the amount OF WORK to .
done hero: it will enable the America
manufactured to pay to his workmen froI
so to 100 per cent. moro in wages than
paid in the foreign mill and yet to con
pete in our markets and in foreig
markets with the foreign pr
Queer; 1t will further redut
the cost Of articles Of wear and food Wit
out reducing the wages OF those who pr
duce than; II 1t can DO celebrated after I
effects have been realized the authors 81
= promoters Of IL will be entitled 70 the hig
!, est praise. We have had In our histol
several experiences of the contrast,
effects OF a revenue and Of a protech
tariff; but this generation has not 4
them and the experience Of onegenoratt,
Is not ,highly instructive to the next. II
friends Of the protective system with u
diminished confidence in tho prlncipl
{ they have advocated. win await the resul
: Of the new experiment..