The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-30
Tho Wilson Bill and Canada.

We are not surprised to hear that the
newspaper organs OF the Canadian Tories
regard the WILSON bill with unqualified
approval. Had II been framed by them, IL
could not more thoroughly subserve their
interests. The bill offers as gift to Can
ada what she would have bought with q
great price. 1t robs the Annexationists OF
one OF their strongest arguments. for it
gives Canadians free access for their raw
products to the American market. without
imposing upon them any corresponding
political or commercial obligations. 1t cuts
the ground from under the Canadian Lib
eral party. the main feature OF whose pro-
gramme was a promise to obtain such q
reciprocity treaty with the United States
IS. while admitting American manufac-
lures duty free. would secure an unimpeded
outflow for the natural products OF the Do
minlon. No wonder that the Canadian
Tories feel their hearts swell with gratitude
- they survey the lavish generosity with
which the interests Of American producers
and manufacturers are sacrificed In their
favor.
OF course no intelligent Canadian. whether
Tory OF Annexationist. supposed that the
Democratic party. in view Of the unequlvo-
cal pledge given In its platform. would
allow the MCKINLEY act to remain upon the
statute book. But what was feared by the
Tories and hoped by the friends OF political
union with tho United States was that the
pledge would DO honestly and faithfully
fulfilled. They knew that II a tariff for
revenue only were enacted. the impulse
toward annexation would not be sensibly
impaired. because In a genuine tarifi for
revenue there Is as little place for a free list
- for provisions avowedly contrived TO aid
protsctionist purposes. The makers OF a
tariff for revenue only begin by calculating
Just how much money will be annually
needed TO meet the expenses OF government.
and then raise 1t by an ad vdLOrem duty
imposed Unfortunately on all imported
articles. The Sun has hitherto pointed out
that duty OF IS per cent. levied on all
imported articles would. In all likelihood.
have given the Government an adequate
revenue: and this would have loyalty
carried out the pledge given 10 the
American people by the Democratic
National Convention. and subscribed by
Mr.. CLEVELAND. Such a tariff. although
unmistakably framed for revenue only
would have had the indirect effect OF shield
men, and farmers from Canadian competi-
ton. For. while on the one hand there
would not have been a single provision
designed 10 protect American industries.
there would have been. upon the other hand.
no free list. and. therefore. tho coal. the iron
ores. the lumber. the FISH. aud the farm
products Of the Dominion would not have
been admitted duty free. AS It is, under
the WILSON bill, our iron and coal miners,
our lumbermen. our fishermen. and our
farmers will DO subjected to a mischievous
competition. while at the same time they
are forced 10 pay for most manufactured
articles more than they would. had a single
ad VGLOTsm duty Of IS per cent. been laid
upon all imports alike.
Il is insSed bright prospect which the
WnsOS bii seems 10 open to the Canadian
pT0dnesTs. and their gain V exactly pro-