The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-05-25

Quotation from the Congregational Rec
ord-Bourbon Economy-A Birds Eye
View
How tho Now Tariff Law Is Gaining
Ground.
Here are some items of fact and sug
gestion from the New York Tribune
that deserve attention and study:
Casual remarks often disclose very
correctly the drift of public opinion. In
an elevated car few days ago bust
ness man remarked to mis- Republican
acquaintance: "This tariff is going To
verify believe" Probably he did not
then remember. nor his friend, that he
was one of those who publicly and hotly
denounced this new tariff eighteen
months ago as lone which ought to bury
the party" In his first rush of Inisin-
formation and prejudice be thought
badly of MAJ. Mckinley, but has since
seen something of the workings of the
tariff.
Next came a Democratic working
man, discussing the nomination with
his friend. Il thought that tariff ques-
ton would elect HIM, but it didn't, and
now / don't believe in nominating a
beaten man" This Democrat was evil
IDENTITY referring to Mr.. Cleveland, and
he presently added: "Maybe it taxes
other folks; can't find where this new
tariff taxes me anything, or any other
man l know" One thing he does
know; what he pays for sugar.
When the new tariff was completed
the Tribune spoke warmly of its wis
dom, and called it the bravest tariff
ever framed. Some thought that re-
mark rather laughable. But it takes
not a little courage to do the right
thing when it is ce rtaln to be misunder-
stood by friends and lied about by foes,
and to excite a storm of prejudice
which nothing but years Of experience
can remove. Men there are by the
hundred thousand in this country who
really believed eighteen months ago
that they were going 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 anywhere added q
cent 10 their burden they cannot detect
it, but they do know right we'll that it
has made some things cheaper.
1t was astonishing in the latter part
of 1890 how many business men there
were, including many engaged in in
dustries which owe their existence to
protection, who thought that the new
tariff chad gone too far" and would
make materials and living more costly"
and was mot according to the prom
Uses of the party" Allowance must be
made for these men, for they have
lived twenty years In an atmosphere OF
Misrepresentation and misunderstand-
4 c. IF
Duties" until they had become to i'm
agine that reducing duties would always
make things cheaper and was always
good, but rising duties would always
make things dearer and always bad.
When practical experience under the
Mckinley bill began to educate them
their,eyes were opened to such things
as these
Immediately after the new duties
went into effect agents of German man
ufacturers were offering worsted and
woollen goods here at exactly the same
prices as before. the foreign manuiac-
turers paying the entire increase in
duty out of their profits.
English cutlery was reduced in price,
many kinds at once, 30 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 innumerable, which
were expected tosadvance largely, re-
NAMED at exactly the same price.
Then men learned that wholesale prices
often had little or nothing to do with
the prices actually paid by consumers.
1t takes courage for men who foresee
such things calmly to face personal de-
feat at elections close at hand, because
the change made is the right thing for
the country. The men who framed
and passed the new tariff staked every
thing on their faith that the people
would learn the truth before long.
How fast they have been learning it
Senator Aldrich and Gov. Mckinley
can explain, but the votes next fall will
answer more fully.