Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-02-01
A Programme for Tariff Reform

A Programme for Tariff Reform.
The proposition that the work of
reconstructing the tariff should be
intrusted to revenue commission
is not entitled to serious considera-
ton. 1t implies delay and is not
necessary; all the information re-
quisite is ready at hand or can readi-
ly be obtained. The work of drafting
the bill for submission to or ratifica-
ton by Congress ought to be per-
formed in the first instance by the
Treasury Department of the admin
istration Gas it would be in all other
countries), which can call to it's as
sistance experts in Congress and out
of Congress. The somewhat popu-
lar idea that in constructing a tar
if the rates should in all cases
be made compensatory of the
advantages to other countries
by reason of differences in their
rates Of wages is one easy to talk
about, but difficult of intelligent
appreciation, for the reason that
there is no common unit of such
differences. 1t may be instructive,
furthermore, to note in connection
with this subject that in nearly all
civilized countries, with the excep-
ton of the United States, the in
tensity of demand for protection
against foreign industrial COMPETE
tion is proportionate to the lowness
of their wages and hours of labor.
Concerning the average rate OF
duty that should be the objective
in a reconstruction Of the tariff
there will be doubtless some differ
ence in opinion; but excepting the
duties on wine, liquors, tobacco, and
few other articles, such an aver
age ought not to exceed twenty-five
per cent ad valorem; and with raw
and crude materials exempt from
taxation, it will be found that such
an average rate in many cases will
afford more ample net protection
to domestic manufacturers than
they now have under the existing
tariff. If it would be objected that
such an average would not be suf-
ficiently productive of revenue, ref
erence may be made to the lesson of
experience afforded by the results
of the Walker tariff of 1S45, the
average rate of which was about
twenty-five per cent. In the first
two years after it's enactment the
customs revenue increased nineteen
per cent and in the first eight years
it more than doubled. Is there any
reason why a like experience may
not be expected and realized?
A reconstruction of the tariff on
substantially the lines indicated
would be an era in civilization. 1t
would do much to promote peace
and good will between the United
States and the rest Of the world, in
place of the fear, hatred, and dis
trust which all other nations, with
the possible exception of autocratic
and semi-barbarous Russia, now ell
terrain toward this country. 1t
would do much toward breaking
down the protective-tariff system
of Europe, which now makes con-
tiguous states hostile, and is essen
tial to the continuance Of a military
system that impoverishes their reo-
pie. Whether the representatives
of the Democratic party in Congress
assembled will courageously and in
diligently fulfill the mission in
trusted to them by the American
people remains to be seen. But it
is certain their pathway to success
is not along the line of timid con-
servatism.--David A. Wells, in the
Feb. Forum.