The Globe-republican., 1892-06-06
GAINING EVERY DAY.
That's the Condition Of the Present
Tariff With the People.
Al TIL

That's the Condition Of the Present
Tariff With the People.
From the New York Tribune.
A New York business man, few days
ago, remarked to his republican ac-
quaintance: "This tariff is going to pull
us through the election next fall, verify
believe" Probably he did not then re-
member, nor his friend, that he Vas one
Of those who publicly and hotly de-
nounced this same new tariff eighteen
months ago as lone that ought to bury
the party In his first rush of misin-
formation and prejudice he thought
badly of Major Mckinley, but has since
seen something of the workings of the
tariff.
Next came democratic workingman,
discussing the nomination with his
friend. Il thought that tariff question
would elect him; but it didn't, and now
I don't believe in nominating beaten
man." This democrat was evidently re-
ferring to Mr.. Cleveland. and he pres
emily added: maybe it taxes other
folks: can't find where this new tariff
taxes me anything, or any other man 1
know" One thing he does know-what
he pays for sugar.
When the new tariff was completed
the Tribune spoke warmly of its wisdom,
and called it the bravest tariff ever
framed Some thought that remark
rather laughable; but it takes not lit
tie courage to do the right thing, VIXEN
20 l>o nv
friends and lied about by foes, ard to
excite storm of prejudice which moth
ing but years of experience can remove.
Men there are by the hundred thou
sand in this country who really believed
eighteen months ago that they were &C.
ing 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 any
where added cent to 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 III indus
tries which owed their existence to pro-
lection, who thought that the new tariff
''had gone too far" and "would make
materials and living more COSTLY" and
was mot according to the promises of
the party"
Allowance must be made for these
men, for they have lived for twenty
years in an atmosphere of mlsrepresenta-
ton and misuz derstanding, and clamor
for reduction of duties" until they had
come to imagine that reducing duties
would always make things cheaper and
was always good, but raising duties
would always make things dearer and
was always bad. When practical expe-
rience under the Mckinley bill began to
educate them, their eyes were opesed
by such things as these:
immediately after the new duties
went into effect agents of German man
ufacturers were offering worsted and
woolen goods here at exactly the same
prices as before. the foreign man ufac-
tuners paying the entire increase IL duty
out of their profits.
Within few days American manu-
fac.urers were offering many kinds of
goods for sale. and openly advertising
them, at lower prices than before. They
had great market placed within reach,
and were impatient to fight for it.
English cutlery was reduced IN price,
many kinds at once so 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 rstail, tinware, clothing and other
articles almost innumerable. which were
expected to advance largely, remained
at exactly the same price. Then men
learned chat 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 everything
on their faith that the people would
learn the truth before long. How fast
they haus been learning it Senator AID
rich and Governor Mckinley can ex-
plain, but thevotes next fall will answer
more fully.