The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-05
rsorro,rox, rUnn AND SIMPLE
De-oersts Di.austed VITA the wnsor FRO
srsE1e OF Trescsery and Dlshonor.

L
| Ipor NE Richmond r2re.
II Is Just as much a protective tariff bill as
the existing law is. We do n OF refer. In m aking
| this statement, 10 the articles that are put
upon the free list We refer to the duties that
are imposed upon imports. Those duties are
| all left at n point which makes them protective
| OF American manufactures against foreign Inn
portstlons. The duties imposed by tho Nc
Kinley bill are undoubtedly lowered. and in
many instances greatly lowered but McKin-
ley's duties we're placed at a figure far above
what was necessary to insure protection. All
that the Wilson bill has done is to lop of tn
unnecessary protection. but IL has left all that
Is necessary to secure efTectuAl protection.
Our readers may accept II as fact that all
duties on foreign imports that come into COM
petition with American manufactures arc left
at a protective point This IL certainly one Of
the most astonishing outcomes OF a long and
bittor contest that the world was ever treated
to. The fable OF the mountain and mouse
bears hardly any comparison TO IL.
But while New England and the Atlantic
seacoast have had their way in framing our
freo-trade protective.tnriff bill. what has hap
pened to us OF the South? Tho Southern
states nut tho Democratic rarity into power
when II would have remained out OF power to
doomsday II It had looked for favors to Now
England What has that party done for the
South in return1 Simply this: 1t has done all
that lay in its power TO iniure and cripple
great part oi.the South by the bill that it's
representatives have framed. The South
wanted free imports that she might buy all
nor supplies as cheaply as possible and that
justice might 30 done all around. To get
those free imports she was willing to give up
the advantages that the principle OF protec-
ton secured to her. Bat here comes the
Democratic Committee on Ways and Means.
retaining the duties on imports for the benefit
OF the New Highlander. but putting coal iron
ore. and sugar on the free list. to the meal
culable Injury OF Virginia, West Virginia
North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia. and Louis
lana. We should like to know where the
Democratic party OF the country would be
without these Statesp 1t owes its possession
OF power to them. and this is pretty return to
make them for the gift. We are for free and
unrestricted trade. But as burdens must he
imposed upon imports to raise the revenues
that tho Government needs. we yield to a
scheme OF duties. but we insist that those du-
ties shall be so distributed that oil shall bear
an equal and ratabe share. We refuse to sub
nit to having them so adjusted that New Eng
land manufacturers can make us pay for their
goods what they please. while our own prod
ucts are forced into full competition with the
products OF tho rest OF the world. Equality is
that can be devised.
We urge the representatives from all the
States We have named to vote against the VIII
son bill in toto. unless coal. iron ore. and SUI
gar are given the benefit OF the same proteo-
tion which has been given to the New England
manufacturers. II we are to have protection
as the rule Of government let 1t be proteo-
ton which applies equally to all: but not pro-
lection for the New Highlander and free trade
for US.
JfOn he LEnehburc Afrnnc,.
THE SUN has come forward with a substitute
for the Wilson Tariff bill which possesses at
least the merit OF simplicity. We give the pro-
posed bill in full. title and all.
1t must be confessed that this substitute has
some merit There is no favoritism in 1t. and
no protection. 1t Is in full accord with the
Democratic platform. which denies that Con.
Cress has the constitutional right to levy duties
for any other purpose than to raise revenue for
the Government economically administered.
Under such a tariff law there could be no dis
graceful scramble for special favor. and no
log-rolling on the part OF m EN- bers OF Congress-
II q duty of 30 per cent. ad vslorem should
turn out to be too high. it would he easy
enough to reduce the rate to 30. or %. or 20
per cent. Just in proportion to the financial
necessities Of the Government.
We do not expect to see Congress adopt this
simple plan. The idea of protection has too
firm lodgment in the heads OF many Demo-
Gratis. and special interests are eager to reap
the benefits OF system which has SO long af-
nlcted the country.