The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-09-30

really is; and at the same time place the
conclusions upon such basis that they
could not be moved out of their true posi-
ton by mere juggling of words on the
part OF those opposed to said conclusions"
This Democrats claim to do. and they sue
coed, too, to their own satisfaction. But
the Republicans do the same thing, aud do
it, too, to their entire satisfaction. Thus 1t
will be found that there is as much con-
fusion in the conclusions as there is per-
plexity in the statements and arguments;
so that when one attempts TO simplify the
tariff discussion, ne is met on every hand
by discouraging circumstances.
The best way of meeting the difficulty.
as we believe. is to frankly admit the COM
plexity of the problem, and say to those
who have not yet arrived at conclusions
respecting it. that they will be compelled
to reconcile themselves to the idea of doing
at least little stalwart thinking on their
own account. Cursorily reading mass
of matter now circulated in the form of
tracts, or even the facts published in the
daily papers, will not be sufficient; the
facts must be digested and their value as
many helps to enable each man for himself
TO think out the problem.
We suggest, however, in the first place,
that the Investigator examine. first. the
principles upon which the policy of each
party is based; second, that he take into
account the probable conduct of men and
parties under the operation Of those prin-
ciples. judging Of their conduct by the
known qualities of human nature;
third, that he then examine
the result, SO far as may be, of each policy
as it affects the welfare of the nation; that
is to say, that he test the value of the pol
icy Of each party by results it has produced.
To discuss these questions in one brief
writing is out of the question, but num-
Der Of short articles may be expected in
these columns on these topics, beginning
with the one frat named, viz, a considera-
ton OF the principles upon which the policy
of each party is based in connection with
it may also be considered the second item
suggested, viz, 1.-THE probable conduct of
men and parties under the operation OF
those principles, judging of their conduct
by the known qualities of human nature"
First, then, as to the Repu blican position.
Republicans believe that the general gov
eminent possesses the power and right to
levy protective tariffs. BY that, as we
understand them, they mean that such du-
ties should be levied by the government on
imported goods that our own manufacturers
of like goods may successfully compete
with foreigners for the trade OF the Ameri-
can market or that the American market
may be preserved to the American manu-
facturer. 1t is claimed by the advocates
OF this policy that such course is abso-
lutely necessary in order TO preserve the
prosperity of the nation; to foster ''infant
American industries until they are able
to compete with like industries of longer
standing in foreign countries. 1t is further
claimed that such policy is
necessary for the reason that the
foreign manufacturer employs his labor
so much cheaper than the American manu-
facturer can. that in some way the latter
must be protected" from the competition
of the foreign manufacturer SO that this
difference in the cost of labor can be made
up to him, or he must go out of business.
"The fires in our furnaces will go out,n
say they the smokeless chimneys will
proclaim wide spread ruin; labor VIII be
thrown out of employment, not being able
to earn the wherewith to clothe Its naked
ness or satisfy the cravings of hunger
1t is further claimed for this policy of
protection" that it stimulates all our
industries, those not considered to be pro-
tected az well as those that are Certain
manufactures only may be protected by di-
rect means, but Indirectly all are equally
benefited, because the protection af-
forded by levying duty on imports en-
courages the starting OF new manufactures,
thus creating a diversity of industries,
farmers raise. and by trading among our
selves, we keep our money at home and
place our people in better circumstances
than the people of other nations. And
thus by raising the standard of COM
fort in the United States, the bles-
sings of protection" reach every
fireside, and justify its adoption as
the American commercial policy. The slim
ulls the protective system is expected
to give to manufacturing industries is sup
posed to create such home competition
that to consumers will be insured reason
able prices.
Furthermore, since the general govern
ment has to be maintained by some system
Of taxation, incidentally the protective
tariff system may operate In such man
ner as to raise the necessary revenue for
~ Of , no
Briefly the objections which may be
urged against this system are these: If
it be conceded that the government
possess the legitimate power to levy du-
ties for any other purpose than that of
raising revenue for the public service, it is
power likely to be very much abused;
for by discrimination in favor of one class
of industries it can easily make those en-
gagged in such favored employments rich.
and they in turn may easily corrupt gov
eminent with their wealth and employ it's
powers to their own advantage, and to the
injury of other citizens who are entitled to
equal consideration under the government
to the favored class. Judge of the
probable Conduct of men and parties
under the operation of this priuci-
pie, Judging of this conduct by the known
qualities of human nature.
Who is to judge when .infant indus
tries" arrive at that age when they no
longer require the ''protection' of the
governments high tariffs! If we Judge by
the conduct of 'infant industries in the
United States, they never arrive at man
hoods estate in which they walk alone.
The older they grow the louder their
screams for protection" AS to the Gre
alton of diversity of Industries, such are
m hun lot