The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-19
Tho Robbery OF the Free List.

NV AsoooSAy VA LhV TAVG Aboh.
To such od-fashioned and ante-date
Democratic journals as are still fondling a
list Of articles which. for one reason or
another. they think can properly be made
free OF duty at the Custom House. we beg
leave to present our compliments with the
request that they revise their schedules
from the point OF view which they are
bound to regard as alone constitutional.
Suppose that two private citizens should
antrude upon a session OF the Ways and
Means Committee. with the request that,
humble and distant from public life as they
might be, they should have a share in
preparing the new tariff bill. Then let
one tell the Committee that he Is en-
4 gagged In making steel. that is. in its prepa-
ration from the crude materials taken from
the ground; and, in order that he may con-
tinue his business proitably no asks that
protective duty be imposed upon all steel
imported from foreign countries. Would
not Chairman WILSON express the indigna-
ton OF his party associates by vigorously
denouncng this ambitious tradesman as
would-be robber? Business organized
under the conditions he asks for would be
a robbers work. 1t would put the Govern
plundering the many for this steel max
er's profit. 1t would make Of Democratic
Congressman who should father it. traitors
to their personal professions. their party
platform. and the public interest: and If
this sn"aking sef-seeker imagined other
wise. he should read the Democratic tariff
plank decreeins that protection is robbery
and unconstitutional and that tarin must
BIO for revenue only.
Therenpon our mortified steel maker sub
sides. while his companion unfods his ideas.
He asks for something Of another color. He
happens to manufacture steel by trans
forming the material produced by the re-
Jected bandit who has preceded him, into the
fnal shapes adapted to general rse; ami.
imagining himself to he steering on u diff
ferent tack. he proposes that what he calls
the raw material used in his industry shall
pay no duty whatever. He wants steel put
on the FREQ list. Would not tho Committee
squelch this gentleman with rebulie differ
ing only in fury from that administered to
the steel maker? II their disgust permitted
them to waste time for argument with such
. fool or hypocrite. they would tell him
that In its essence his request was as intol-
cradle and as unconstitutional as the
other. No tariff on steel wo aid force
higher tariff on something else. and to that
extent it would interfere with the rights Of
other citizens. Why should there be a dis
elimination in his favor and for the benefit
OF his customers. while some other line OF
trade would have to be oppressed and dis
turbed by an extra burden in consequence
The proteotionists have claimed the right
to study the various features OF domestic
industry with the Intention OF tempering
legislation according to their judgment.
They have been accustomed to compare
the condition OF any trade at home
with what 1t was abroad. aud to deal
with 1t with careful regard to Its necessl-
ties. giving encouragement where 1t was
deemed desirable. and discriminating
against the foreigner for the benefit OF the
native. But tho Democratic party the
people approving. have condemned this
system as q system OF robbery. They have
described the most carefully studied and
skllfully adjusted exemplifcation OF 1t. the
MCKINLEY act. as the eliminating atroc-
ity OF class legislation" This new doctrine
closes the door forever against the prac-
tice OF discrimination In the regulation Of
the tanfr. and prescribes revenue as the
only and everything principle. No other
Idea or design can be entertained by the
Committee on Ways and Means; and there
fore. tho constitutional tariff which they |
are bound 70 prepare. must lay its impost |
snon every article In the schedule oi impor- |