The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-24
THE WAY WE MAKE FOREIGNERS PAY
OUR EXPENSES.

THE TIMES was not the only journal that
noticed McKunley's extraordinary statement
in his speech as chairman of the Minneapolis
Convention that all the Republicans had in
view by protective tariff was TO make for
eigners paw the money that the United States
Government must have to meet its annual ex-
penses. The New York Herald and a number
of other newspapers have noticed the state
ment with as much astonishment as it caused
TIE TINES. Now, however. comes the New
York Tribune to indorse and back Mckinley
and to explain how this wonderful
feat is accomplished. In an editorial day OF
two back the Tribune says that the prices to
the consumer Of worsteds. dress goods and
nearly all wooens that are largely imported.
cutlery. cotton ties. steel ingots and beams.
and imported products of iron, tinware, pals,
cans and all utensils made out of tin, and
many other things. are no higher to-day than
they we're in October, 1890. when the new
tariff imposing higher duties on these articles
went into effect.
We have made no inquiry to ascertain
whether the Tribune's statement of fact in
the matter is correct or not and the unctuous
character the Tribune bears for candor does
not commend its naked statements Of fact 10
any one with any very peculiar force. An old
lawyer living in the State of New York on the
borders of Lake Erie once told the writer the
following anecdote: He said he was engaged
in the trial of cause assisting a gentleman
who was quite the most brilliant lawyer in that
whole region. A witness came on the stand
and gave testimony of the most damaging
character to his side of the case His associ-
ate allowed him to leave the stand without
having asked him a single question in cross
examination. What" said my friend TO
his associate. ARE you going to leave his
damaging statements to stand without any
examination of him at allGn Yes" he re-
Piled. Don't you see the New York Tribune
sticking out of his pocket? Don't you know.
therefore, he'll tell lie in a minutey"
Notwithstanding the Tribune's reputation.
however we will assume that what it
says is true and give moments attention TO
its argument that that state Of facts proves
that foreign manufacturers are paying the
revenues which our Government requires TO
oNPPcAt At7O4As 4Ho
this; II says that the added duty required the
foreign manufacturer to pay it himself
or to add it on TO the price that bis
article was then selling for in America.
when. of course. the American purchaser
would pay it. But as American manufac-
turers were at that moment selling the article
at the price 1t bore when the new tariff took
effect. 1t was impossible TO add the new tariff
on to the article because the American man
ufacturer would sell his article below the
price OF the foreign Article thus increased in
Its price. The European manufacturer was
thus compelled, says the Tribune, to pay the
new tariff himself OF be unable to sell his
article here. and AS his article is still actually
sold here the Tribune claims that that
foreigner is paying the money which our
Government needs for its expenditure.
The sophism is so plain that we almost feel
ashamed OF making an exposure of II. II is
true in one sense that the foreigner PAYS this
added duty If he really continues TO sell
goods here that have the increased duties.
Ihss w. bis PROFITS are less b. the new tariff