Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1892-06-10
SOME TALK ON TARIFF.
the m.klMLEv LAW GAINING
cRoUNp.
our sse,as,eAs with the cslssstsss-A
Quotation from the Congregational Rec
ord-Dourboa Economy-A Bird,s Eye
View.

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 Q busi-
ness man remarked to his Republican
acquaintance: "This tariff is going. to
pull US through the election next fall, 1
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 misin-
formation and prejudice be thought
badly of MAJ. Mckinley, but has since
seen something of the workings of the
tariff.
Next anne a Democratic working
man., discussing the nomination with
his friend. II thought that tariff ques-
ton would elect HIM, but it didn't, and
nov I don't believe in nominating a
beaten man." This Democrat was evil
IDENTIFY 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
nan l know" One thing he does
know; what he pays for sugar.
SA0 W t1lAA was OluRlCtOu
the Tribune spoke warmly of its wis
dom, and called it the bravest tariff
ever framed. Some thought that re-
mark rather Imaginable. But it takes
not q little courage to do the right
thing when it is certain to be misunder-
stood by friends and lied about by foes,
and to excite q 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 a great deal more for their wooden
clothing, their tin pals and pans, and
for nearly everything else. They have
politicians do not always tell the truth.
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
ises of the party" Allowance must be
made for these men, for they have
lived twenty years in an atmosphere OF
misrepresentation and misunderstand-
ing, and clanlor for reduction of
agine that reducing duties would always
make things cheaper and was always
good, but rising duties would always
make things dearer and always bad.
Ihen 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
uiacturers we're Offering worsted and
woollen goods here at exactly the same
prices as before, the foreign manufac-
turers paying the entire increase in
duty out of their profits.
English cutlery was reduced in price,
many kinds at once, 80 that it was Of
fered here at no higher prices than be-
fore the duties we're raised. American
makers sold better goods at the old
prices, and seize | the market.
At retail, tinware, clothing and other
articles almost innumerable, which
were expected to advance largely, re-
manned at exactly the same price.
Then men learnedtha wholesale prices
often had little OF 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 stakedevery-
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.
Our Relations with China,
The Senate voted 43 to IA to substitute
for the Chinese exclusion bill passed by
the House. a provision extending fol