The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1892-09-10
Biaines Letter

~ Dla'he was made public Tuesday.
hon. Jos. IL. Manley. chairman of the re-
pupllcan state committee. Augusta, Me-:
MY dear sir: Not being able for reasons
winch explained to you. to deliver pub
nc speeches in the present campaign, |
take the liberty of submitting my views
on the issues which | regard as being
the strongest for the republicans to urge
beo the people The issue of the
greatest consequence is the tariff on i'm
ports, and it will continue to be until a
settlement is effected by majority SO
large that it will be tantamount to gen
eral acquiescence. Republican are ag-
gressve on this subject.
Two years ago they passed general
enactment known rs the Mckinley tar
III. which for the time failed to meet
popular approval, and was regarded
with certain degree of distrust by
those who always upheld the protective
system, but powerful reaction came in
consequence of the vindication OF the
Mckinley tariff by experiences. 1t was
found to work admirably and within the
last year produced greater volume OF
business, internal and external, export
and import, than the United States ever
transacted before.
Notwithstanding the character and
extent of the opposition to it, agricul-
ture was remunerative, manufacturers
were prosperous, and commerce was
more fourishing than at any previous
time. thus vindlcating the Mckinley
tariff by an impressive and undeniable
series OF facts. Against the tariff the
democratic party has taken position
almost without parallel in the history of
the country. They reject entirely the
doctrine OF protection, pronounce it a
fraud and anathemize it generally, a res
oiution to this effect being adopted by
the democratic convention against the
reports.
On the subject of the tariff they are
in radical opposition to the principles
laid down by Jefferson.
Toward the close of his administration
the revenue from the tariff on imports
produced considerable surplus and the
question was what amount should the
tariff be reduced, or should this surplus
be maintained? Jefferson pointedly
asked: 'Shall we suppress the imports
and give that advantage to foreign over
domestic manufacturers" For himself
he recommended that 1.-The imports be
maintained" and the surplus created
SHOULD be appropriated to the improve
ment OF roads, canals, rivers and educa-
| tion."
If the constitution did not give suffi-
cient power to warrant these appropria-
tions, jefferson went SO far as to recon-
mend that it be amended. This presents
the strongest condition of affairs upon
which the protective tariff can be justi-
fed and Jetfrson did not hesitate to rec
ommend it.
The democrats of the present day, it
is needless to say, are in direct opposi-
tion to the policy which Jefferson thus
outlined and adhered to. When the
principal of reciprocal trade was first
proposed to be introduced into the tariff
system, democrats showed the most gen
erous appreciation of the question. and
gave it their support as long as the re-
publicans refused to accept it, But
when the republicans came to approve
it we find the democratic national con
vention passing resolution hostile tC
the system.
But in spite of the democratic opposi.
ton, we attained through reciprocity
new and valuable trade, and the system
has demonstrated its many advan
tages.
We are about to declare sugar, mo
lasses, coffee and hides. free of all duties
in the Mckinley bill, but instead of tha,
we asked several nations interest
ed what they would give to have
those articles made free. We found that
the privileges which we were about to
give without cost and without charges
would secure a large trade in Brazil, Gu
b. and Porto Rico, in the windwal
and leeward islands. in British Guinea
and Jamaica, San Domingo and the five
Central American state, md to minor
degree in Austria, France and Germany
all in exchange for articles which we in
tended to gratuitously admit.
The free list on the Mckinley tariff il
larger IN the number of articles and il
the aggregate amount of their import
value than the dutlable list.
What would have been the result t.
the United States if every article before
it we're put on the free list hat
been made the subject of inquiry to SEE
what we could get in exchange for it,
We omitted to do SO for many years ant
that neglect cost the government ar
advantage in the trade which woult
have amounted to tens of millions O.
dollars. This is the whole of the reci
procity scheme. 1t is very plain ant
very simple; it secures valuable trade t.
exchange for articles otherwise destined
to be put on the free list.
The democratic party think they car
discredit it and they will make an effor
apparently, for the unpatriotic reason
that they did not originate it.
With all OF its calamities the wa
brought us one great blessing-nationa
currency. There are many who will sa,
} it was worth the cost of the war t
!, bring about SO auspicious result t.
! capital and labor. Prior to the war W,
, had the worst currency system of an.
: enlightened nation, thoroughly irrespon
B slble. Banks existed by the thousand
Q throughout the United State and when
' ever one of them failed the result was
8 large loss and great distress among tn
people. No one was resposible for thei
q q bills and they were generally foun'
0 scattered in the pockets of the laboring
0 men to whom they were total los
y without any redemption whatever.
0 OF the state banks it is often trul
5 said they caused the debts to measur
< their profits. They caused an aggre