Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-08-07

Talks EntertainiDgly Upon the Great
Questions that are Engaging the eerr
Gus Attention of Our Pobiic men anu
Statesmen.
WtsOH D,movGt.
We called upon Judge John Brannon
some days since in his office ana inter
vie we'd him with respect TO the tarlu'
coinage, currency, sc. When his oplh-
ions are formed he does not hesitate 20
speak out on public questions. we
found him entirely free 10 express MS
opinion upon the questions referred 10
and here give them, believing that they
will be worthy Of the careful thought
of our readers:
Judge, what do you believe will De
the character of the legislation touch
ing the tariff at the coming session OF
Congress? Let me know your views.
1t seems TO me, taking a genera
view Of the prospects aud OF the men
who will compose the Congress ana the
forces which elected them, that II may
be gravely questioned whether congress
can be brought TO such action on the
tariff subject as will accomplish all the
people expect
mir. CleveI and, as far as be has pro-
pouncad on this subject, is right, ana
the people have expressed their appro-
baton If by tariff on imports we are
TO look to it and continue 1t as the chtet
support for revenue, he is right. None
of the propositions suggested and in
yolyed. as discussed in this "old chest
nut" suit me. They may have suited
the past, when infant manufacturers
INDUCED in swaddling bands, but not
the present.
'In our early history, from 17SS to
about the Van Buren, times, as | read IL,
the needs of the government were
largely supplied by the sa es OF public
lands, otherwise the Congress looked to
tariff on imports, aud 1t became a
popular policy TO do so TO retaliate on
England, because its policy during our
colonial period was to prohibit manu-
featuring in the colonies. Conditions
of the country have changed. The OBJ
lection l make is to full continuance
of the policy of looking TO tariff on
imports, chiefly to meet the wants OF
the government, TO cover ordinary and
extraordinary expenses, and the latter
seem TO be increasing. To look TO a
tariff so largely as a means OF supply
inGlcts unequal and unjust taxation.
A tariff is a tax on imports, and gives,
by it's operation, bounties TO domestic
manufacturers whose fabrications are
competitive to the foreign, and whether
q tax or a bounty, when either, the con-
sumer pays.
THE word protection, so ingenious
ly employed In political oratorY, has de-
ceived great number OF people, TO
their great injury. To look at the past,
and realizing the now changed condi-
tion, old tariff legislation, as q prece-
dent to my mind, seems not only I'M
equal and unjust, but an outrage.
Here Is our vast country, between
TWO great seas, diversified climates and
soils, with divers productions, with in
terlnes of transportation, with natural
resources for development, with me-
chanical skill and inventive genius, I'M
surpassen in the world; with about II,
600 miles of outer and inner sea and
water lines for egress and ingress. Why
should we clamor for protection, to the
great injury Of greater number, for a
few? y
To-day we have not less than sixty
billions Of dollars in values in the
country, and it pays nothing to the sup
port OF the Federal Government-pos-
sibly very small amount invested in
national banks pay incidentally some
thing.
81 am for resorting to other than e1-
listing employed means for the support
OF the Government. Do not under
stand me to advocate any policy Of abb
soute free trade. On this subject |
stand in this way: l would not abolish
a tariff on all imports. l would not
have the present great number Of arti-
cleS In the tariff schedules. In all
in stances OF injurious competition
between domestic and foreign fabrica-
tions, our domestic labor should be
guarded against the cheap labor OF for
eign countries. This with tariff tax on
luxuries, and some other imports ap-
proprately selected for tariff taxation,
is all we need in our great country,
from that character Of tariff as a source
for part Of the necessary expenses OF
government is all that can be justly
asked for.
THE great trouble on this subject is
that Impossible congresses have per-
mitted the protected to largely frame
! tariff schedules. Gov. Mckinley had 8
bill and IT isnow law and in force. II cur
rent reports are true, as to many part:
OF its schedules, they are 40 more
/ his, than THE Genesist" IS mine.
NAV say the substance Of the thought:
| have expressed is: That l am fol-
looking to legislation for revenue, tc
the eighth section of the first article oil
| the constitution. which gives authority
| to lay and collect taxes, duties, import:
and excuses. The sweeping authority
/ here given is adequate, without resort
ing chiefly to a tariff on imports. Here
! is range for taxation without imposing
it on the necessaries OF life and TO have
the burdens imposed with more justice
aud equality"
Judge, do you believe the present
political parties will branch out on TIT
policy you Prefer?"
"No, not at present; but the people
! will get there In the end. It may bC
best 10 develop on this subject by grad
ual approaches.
Judge, how about currency, coinage
Of silver, etc. ?"
"Oh, don't know what Congress
will most likely do on the subject yoI
| refer to. Free, unlimited coinage o
silver is a kind of Pandora's box.
don't want potmetal for money. Silve
has a large per centum 10 it OF CONNER
cial value, and this is so vari
able that it is difficult, II not impossi
Die, to imperatively fix It's value by
higher standard and have uniformly
and worldwide value. like the highe
standard OF value. / am for goo
money, and, as near as possible, OF IN
varying value, and do not want mer