Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-06-04
oAiNiNd livery DAY.


That's the Condition OF the Presen,
Tartst With the People.
From the New York Tribune.
A New York business man, few dayt
ago, remarked to his republican &C.
quaintance: 'This tariff is going to pull
us through the election next fall, verify
believe" Probably he did not then re-
member, nor his friend, that he was one
of those who publicly and hotly de-
nounced this same new tariff eighteen
months ago as zone that ought to bury
the party" In his first rush of misin-
formation and prejudice he thought
badly of Major Mckinley, but has since
seen something of the workings of the
tariff
Next came democratic workingman,
discussing the nomination with his
friend. Il thought that tariff question
would elect him; but it didn't, and now
1 don't believe in nominating beaten
man." This democrat was evidently re-
ferring to Mr.. Cleveland. and he pres
emily added: MAYBE it taxes other
folks; can't find where this new tariff
taxes me anything, OF any other man I
know" One thing he does know-what
he pays for sugar.
When the. new tariff was completed
the Tribune spoke warmly of its wisdom,
and called it the bravest tariff ever
framed. Some thought that remark
rather laughable; but it takes not lit
tie courage to do the right thing, when
it is certain to be misunderstood by
friends and lied about by foes, and to
excite storm of prejudice which moth
ing but years of experience can remove.
Men there are by the hundred thou
sand in this country who really believed
eighteen months ago that they were 60
ing to be obliged to pay great deal
more for their wooden clothing, their tin
pals and pans, and for nearly everything
else. They have learned that free trade
newspapers and politicians do not always
tell the truth. If the new tariff has any
where added cent to their burden they
cannot detect it; but they do know right
we'll that it has made some things
cheaper.
It was astonishing in the latter part
of 1890 how many business men there
were, including many engaged in indus
tries which owed their existence to pro-
lection, who thought that the new tariff
chad gone too far" and "would make
materials and living more COSTLY" and
was 'not according to the promises of
the party"
Allowance must be made for these
men. for they have lived for twenty
years in an atmosphere of mlsrepresenta-
ton and misunderstanding, and clamor
for reduction of duties" until they had
come to imagine that reducing duties
would always make things cheaper and
was always good, but raising duties
would always make things dearer and
was always bad. When practical expe-
rience under the Mckinley bill began to
educate them, their eyes we're opened
by such things as these:
Immediately after the new duties
went into effect agents of German man
ufacturers were offering worsted and
wooden goods here at exactly the same
prices as before, the foreign manufac-
turers paying the entire increase in duty
out of their profits.
Within few days American manu-
facturers were offering many kinds of
goods for sale, and openly advertising
them, at lower prices than before. They
had great market placed within reach,
and were impatient to fight for it.
English cutlery was reduced in price,
many kinds at once, so that it was Of
fered here at no higher prices than be-
fore the duties were raised. American
makers sold better goods at the OLD
prices, and seized the market.
At retail, tinware, clothing and other
articles almost innumerabIe, which were
to advance largely, remained
1t exactly the same price. Then men
earned that wholesale prices often had
little or nothing to do with the prices
actually paid by consumers.
It takes courage for men who foresee
such things calmly to face personal de-
EAT at elections close at hand, because
he change made is the right thing for
he country. The men who framed and
passed the new tariff staked everything
IN their faith that the people would
earn the truth before long. How fast |
hey have been learning it Senator AID
'ich and Governor Mckinley can e1-
plain, but the votes next fall will answer
more fully.
WITH AN ALLIANCE