Huntsville gazette., 1893-04-15
IMPORTS AND THE TARIFF.
Important Points for the Confederation of
Democratic FInancicrs.

important folnts Tor the Consideration of
Democratic FInancicrs.
If Secretary Carlisle looks to the
bottom of the matter, there may occur
to him obstacles in way of tariff reform
which he may not have fully realized.
In the last two weeks the amount at
New York alone was S32, 461, III, and
the increase over the corresponding
weeks last year about SO, 600, 900. Yet
the total imports in March, 1892,
amounted to SS6,5T0, 533, and were
about $4,000, 900 larger than in March,
1891, as those were about $40, 900, 600
larger than in March, 1890. Who is pre-
pared to say what this means? The
laws have not been changed, breaking
down the barriers and letting in goods
which protective duties have shut out.
When that has been done what will be
the value OF imports, and how will the
country pay for them?
In 1892 the value was about SS76, 000,-
000 This year an increase appears of
about SIC, 900, 900 each month. If con-
tinued it will make the total for the
year $1,000, 900, O0O Only fourteen
years ago, in the year before specie
resumption, the amount was about
s5l3 600, 600, and the population has
not doubled within that time. The
fact to which serious thought must be
given is that the consumption of for
eign products has enormously in
creased The habits of the people, their
modes Of living and enjoyment, have
greatly altered, and it will not be
found easy to change back again for
many years. Is Mr.. Carlisle certain
| that the theories which answered
thirty years ago will answer now?
| Under the constant stimulus of duties
| for the defense of home industries the
condition and habits Of the whole ma
ton have wonderfully altered 1t is
| true that wealth has accumulated in
| the hands of few thousand persons,
and they spend more freely, but their
expenditure is but drop in the buck
ct. The wages of labor have substan-
TALLY doubled. Being able to expend
| twice as much the millions satisfy
their wants to such an extent that
what were once rare luxuries have be-
| come the necessities of everyday life.
almost bevond belief. From 80 pounds
for each person the consumption of
sugar has grown to 80 pounds. From
| s cigars for each person the con-
sumption has grown to TO- From so
pounds of iron for each person the con-
| sumption has grown to more than 332
pounds. These are but samples of a
| change which is almost universal.
The root of the matter is that 20, 000,
| 600 wage earners now receive nearly
double the wages paid in 1860 In
manufactures millions now average
| $500 yearly, w hereas in the same occupa-
| tions the average was about $3.50 yearly.
| Including farm labor, the average for
| all is now more than S400, against
| about $500 yearly thirtytwo years ago.
| This means difference between 81
| 600, 900, 900 and $4,000, 900, 600 yearly in
| the receipts of the wage earners alone.
They receive $4,000, O00, 900 more, and,
| therefore, can increase their purchases
! by that enormous sum, or so much of
it as they may please. Roughly speak
| ing while the working population has
| lou bled, It's power to purchase has in
creased fourfold. The new modes and
| habits of life have become as necessary
to the 20, 600, 900 wage earners of this
| day as the far more restricted allot-
ment of comforts was to their fathers.
Throw wide the doors and let in for
eign goods more freely, and people will
buy more largely-as long as they are
able 1t must be so, if reduced duties
are to yield necessary revenues. Now
about $500, coo, 900 is realized by duties
on S400, 900, 900 of imported goods, but
| if the duties are reduced to an average
of 25 per cent. imports of $500, 900, 600
will be needed to yield the same rev.
enue. Shall gold besPaid for the addi-
tional s4OO, 900, 900 yearly, and if not,
how shall the debt be paid? Or is the
remedy to be found in enforced econo-
my of the 30, 900, 900 wage earners? If
workers who now produce in this
country the S4OO, 900, 900 worth of
| goods which would be imported are to
lie thrown out of employment, If
wages of all workers are to be de-
pressed by merciless competition, then
| indeed purchases must be reduced But
in that case imports would also be re-
| duced, and where would government
get the necessary revenue? There
| are PERSONS who will consider these
| questions frivolous. But Mr.. Carlisle
is a man Of too much ability to make
| light of them, and will try to solve
| U,.L