The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-27
Mr.. coombs's Protectionist Resolution.

Conereesman CooMBs OF Brooklyn. an
honest, able, and sincere man, has the In
credible naivete to propose to the Demo
cratic majority in the House Of Represent
stives that 1t shall pass resolution In
struoting tho Committee on Ways and
Means to bring In o proteotionist tariff bill.
A protectionist measure outright, and
specifically described as such by Its author J
Mr.. CooMps would divide all articles OF
innport into four classes or schedules.
ITS hrst schedule would constitute free
list, and it would include "all raw materials
uscessary to the manufacture OF goods"
That II to say. all raw materials necessary
= American manufacturers would be let In
unbiased for the benefit Of those American
unauufacturers. Tho burden OF taxation
WhiSh would fall upon such raw materials
under che operation Of constitutional tariff
for revetue only. would be transferred to
other articles Of import. not needed by
American manufacturers. The American
purchasers OF certain foreign-made goods
would be compelled by the Government
% Ray higher price for those goods in
order chat American manufacturers OF other
sxtidss might get their raw materials free
II duty. the better to meet foreign oompeti-
ton In their respective specialties. This Is
f,f0teCtion Of the pure MCKINLEY school.
Nj, CooMBs's second schedule would be
composed OF articles (which. by their ma
ture, should not pay duty exceeding ten
oct cont" What does Mr.. CooMBs mean by
aarticles which by their nature should not
pay o duty exceeding ten per cent" Under
q constitutional tariff for revenue only.
lnt ri Anil
Of protection would be absent. the size OF
the duty would be determined by the reve-
tii6 needs OF the Government. honestly and
economically administered. and not by the
nature OF the articles. with reference to the
market for them in America. or the compe-
tition OF American producers. The whole
alphabet OF protection. from to 2. Turks
III Mr. CoOMBs's second schedule.
His third schedule avows unconditional
protection openly and unbushingly 1t is
to include wine. spirits. and tobacco. upon
which," says Mr.. CoOMBs "a duty must be
charged sufficient at least to protect manu-
fhcturefs who pay tax under our in
ternal revenue laws" Also few well
defined articles OF luxury. which will bear
D rate OF at least forty per cent. ad valo-
rom" The well-deflned articles Of luxury.
In other words, arc to be taxed high In order
that the American manufacturers may get
lib their raw materials free: protection. alb
solute and unqualified.
Mr.. CooMBs styles his fourth and last
schedule 1.-THE schedule for the protection of
labor" 1t provides for the imposition upon
foreign manufactured goods entering into
competition with American manufactured
goods. a specific duty equal to the differ
ence in favor Of the foreign manufacturer
In "the item OF labor cost including the
Use OF machinery This is the principle OF
protection which was recognized in the
original tariff plank reported at Chicago,
and which was repudated and discarded by
the party by tho vote of 5G4 to S52. when the
Democracy declared, once and forever. that
protection was fraud and robbery. and that
the tariff must be a tariff FOR revenue only.
A protectOnist tariff proposed by the
Hon. WILLIAM j. COuMps of brooklyn to
the party whose fundamental principle 1t
is that protection Is unconstitutional! Is
he awake or asleep? Has he forgotten tho
events OF the past fifteen months that he
should stand up in tho House and ask
the Democracy to destroy itself by the
enactment Of this cowart!ly makeshift.
this dishoporable compromise. this abject
surrender?