The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-09
The EVIL of Uncertainty.

great pother is made by Republican
newspapers and the protected manufac-
turers generally about the evil effects OF
uncertainty in regard to the tariff. Business
suffers and Industrial interests flag. say
these interested advocates, because 1t Is not
known what Congress will do with the
tariff. But the assertion is not correct. tits
known what Congress will do with the tariff.
1t will do away with protection and enact a
tarifffor revenue only. The general lines &C.
cordlng to which such q tariff must be con-
structed are known. The only uncertainty
is as to the exact rates Of duty. A good deal
OF the talk about uncertainty IL. In fact. in
sincere. 1t represents the reluctance Of the
protected to admit that protection is dead
sheep. They are not really uncertain. but
they have profted by the system OF spolia-
ton 80 long that they are not prepared to
give It up altogether. They know In their
hearts that Its days are numbered.
feverish feeling Of uncertainty and ap-
prehension has been manifested In all
attempts to change tariff rates. whether
the object was to put them up or down.
Such feeling Is inevitable under a system
which makes the profits OF the manufac-
turer and the wages OF the workmen q
matter OF Government bounty and regula-
ton. AS long as the Government takes
upon itself to fix the rate Of profits and
wages In a particular occupation or busl-
ness, 80 long must the mere proposition to
change that rate alarm everybody engaged
IN that business. Thus we now see pro-
tected manufacturers tiocking to Washing.
ton to beg the Ways and Means Committee
not to reduce their profits.
All this belongs to protection. and Is an
sbsurdity in view Of the sentence of con-
domination passed against protection by
the American people. In short time the
law OF supply and demand. without Inter-
ference or encouragement on the part Of
the Federal Government. Is to control In
the businesses now artiicially enriched and
stimulated by the Government: and profits
and wages in those businesses are to be de-
termned in the natural way now prevail
ing In unprotected occupations. The press
ure. almost continual at some point or
other Of a protective tariff. to have this
duty raised or that lowered. keeps
up continual petty row among the
beneiiclaries. The worshipful spectators
who ara now prating about uncertainty,
choose to forget that perpetual uncertainty
and intermittent depression have been the
companions Of protection. Indeed. we are
not certain that the Democrats. when in
Senator VESTS Bellona- breathing phrase.
they challenged the protected industries to
a war of determination. might not well have
added to the argument from robbery and
the argument from the Constitution the
argument from uncertainty; and the latter
argument Is q powerful one, for whether
MILLS or MORRISON or MCKINLEY touches
the tariff. whether 1t be touched by hands
clean or unclean in protectionist eyes. the
protected industries shake and squlrm and
grow neurasthenic.
All this sort OF thing will soon be over
and done Every tub will stand on its own
bottom. Duties laid ad valorem at uni
form rate will prevent any pretence OF un-
fairness and obviate any complaint: and
tarin taxes will be regarded solely for the