Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1892-04-28

GLCdSC Cuo uAOuSGIlcS vi Gue udUlOD IN
an astonishing degree; 1t made the
country prosperous.
Who was it that led the opponents
OF a protective tariff about this time?
John G. Calhoun.
What had been Calhoun's views on
The tariff question before this time?
Mr.. Calhoun had been q strong pro.
tectlonist and had advocated the
good policy OF the nation IN protect
ing home manufacturers to the end
that they might be built up"
What reason can be given for this
change in Calhoun?
One reason assigned is that the igor.
ance of the slave untitled him for the
factory. and the cheap labor of the
south enabled that section to prefer
iree'trade. Slave labor being "pauper
labor" per BE, needed no protection
from foreign cheap labor. The south,
under such circumstances, could COM
pete successfully against the poorest
paid labor OF any country, without
any protection.
To what length did Calhoun carry
his opposition to protective tariff?
He resigned the Office of vice.presi.
dent and led the threatened secession
movement in South Carolina.
When was the next important tariff
act passed?
In July, 1882, congress passed alaw
reducing the import duties, and again
in 1888 another law on the same sub
ject.
By what name is this latter act
known?
Mr.. Clay's compromise act.
What were some of the terms of that
act?
The law provided a sliding scale for
all duties above twenty per cent.
What time was given to abolish the
duties above twenty per cent
Ten years.
What was the idea of such a law?
1t was to pacify the south and to ar.
rest the threatened secession.
While this act was in force ana the
duties were being reduced what took
place?
The terrible panic OF 1887.
10 what was the panic attributed?
The gradual approach OF free-trade
under the sliding scale act (Clay's).
How long did the hard times con-
tinue after 1887?
History tells us that the depression
in business continued up to 1912, and
that it was q period OF distress scacce.
ly ever equaled.
In all these periods OF distress what
was The comparative effect on the
north and south?
The distress always fell with a more
crushing weight on the northern, east.
ern and middle states.
Why was this the case?
Because these sections employ 80
many more men and capital in the
manufacturers. About twenty-five
per cent. OF the workingmen are thus
engaged.
In which section OF our country is
the cost cheapest?
In the south where they can live in
cheaper houses, wear cheaper clothing
and do not need so much fuel. The
products of the soil are also cheaper,
being produced by the cheapest OF
cheap labor.
During this operation OF Clay g com.
promise act and the consequent finan.
clal distress, what great political event
occurred?
The overthrow OF the democrat par.
ty and the election OF General Harri-
son as president in 1910, and a WING
congress also.
What tariff law was then passed?
The famous tariff act of 1912.
What was the main feature of this
act?
1t was strongly protective.
What effect had this act on the coun.
try?
There was ageneral revival in all de.
partments OF industry. A feeling OF
cheeriulness prevailed among the peo-
pie and prosperity was over the land
again.
Was there any immediate attempt
made to repeal this act OF 1912?
There was not. The democratic par.
ty seemed to recognize it as entitled to
continue.
What is the evidence of this fact?
In 1874 the democratic party went
into their campaign shouting for
"Polk, Dallas and the tariff of 1872"
They were even louder in praise of this
act than were the wings who had pass.
ed it.
Was this praise sincere on the part
OF the democrats?
Subsequent events showed that 1T
was not. The south still held an an
tipathv against a tariff for protection.
What was the next move by the
south against the tariff!
After the protective feature OF the
act OF 1912 had placed the country in
a healthy condition congress enacted
in 1916 what is known as the "free.
trade" act of 1916.
Who were elected president and vice.
president in 1874?
Polk ard Dallas. ..
\ Having been elected as friends ofthe
tariff of 1912, how did they after.
wards act in relation thereto?
Mr.. Polk, as president, gave the
weight of his position to the free-trade
party, and Mr.. Dallas, as vice-presi-
dent 1.-THE senate being q tie) gave the
casting vote for the tariff act OF 1846.
As the evil effects that generally fol-
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