The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-09-12
The Crime of the New Tar:E

The crime of the new tariff cannot be
fully measured until il has begun To cut
its swath of destruction. II cannot now
lie even estimated without consideringl It's
multiplied phases. The crime Is mani
fold. 1t strikes in many directions Al
most every prov is wrong which
hurts in some quarter. But, without go
ing into details, here are some of the gen
eral features.
L. 1t is general assault upon Ameri-
can industries. In some cases the blow
is inflicted by destroying all protection
i'm some cases by reducing the protection
below the safe level. The wool industry,
with its million and quarter particl-
pants. is wiped out. Lumber and timber
are made free for Canadian invasion
Woolens, glass. pottery, chemicals ana
metals receive heavy cuts. In most OF
these industries the reduction Is great
enough 10 close them or force reduction
of wages. In few cases, like collars and
cuffs, a special vote compelled a special
concession. But the discrimination only
emphasizes the general blow.
III. Ii overthrows reciprocity. This is
sheer, wanton. wicked, needless wrong.
After the most laborious and careful ef-
forts continued through period of years
the arrangements were completed for
reciprocal interchange of commercial adj
vantages with Spain, Brazil, Germany
and other nations. We admitted some of
their products free. In return they adj
mitted ours free or at preferential rates.
If foreign commerce cannot be advanced
i'm this way il cannot be advanced in any
way As matter of fact reciprocity
brought large increase of trade. But
the new tariff topples over all this work
of craftsmanship. II destroys reciprocity
with all the producing countries,
and throws open our doors TO the wool of
Argentine and Australia without exact
ing any return.
III. II plays into the hands of Canada
and strengthens her political and indus
trial independence. The stupidity of this
crime is as exasperating as its iniquity. II
weakens and postpOnes the movement
towards American unison. The great
American numbering interest along the
border is placed at the mercy of Canada.
Canadian lumber with its vast forests and
its cheap labor is left as free 10 take pos
session of our markets as If Canada were
part of the United States. In the same
way the farming interest along the border
is crippled. The protective duty on farm
products is cut down or obliterated so
that Canadian products can pour over the
line. The Canadians receive all the ad-
vantage OF belonging to the American
Union while we get nothing in return but
injury. The Mckinley law was isolating
Canada and forcing her TO a position
where she would he compelled to ask for
political union in order TO have CONNER
cial union. The German bill gives her
all the benefits of commercial union so
that she needn't seek political union at
all.
". 1t establishes the odious Income
Tax. This alone is enough to condemn
il. 1t is repugnant TO all American in
stincts and traditions. The unpopularity
of such tax is very far from being linn
tied to those who pay it. Ii extends TO all
who are compelled to make returns and
To subject themselves To the inquisitOrial
and offensive exactions of the law. Still
more it extends TO all who object TO class
distinctions in our country. 1t is not pre-
tended that this obnoxious tax will pro-
duce more than Sl5,OO0OO0 of revenue.
An additional fifteen cents on whisky or
fifty cents ON beer would have realized
that amount and nobody would have felt
it. To institute all the spying machinery
for so small result is a crime against
American manhood.
V. Finally it specially serves the Sugar
and Whisky trusts, and imposes a heavy
burden upon the people. Through the
bonding provision the Whisky Trust is
enabled TO make millions. The colossal
bonus TO the Sugar Trust is already famil-
lar to the country. At the same time the
people will be compelled TO pay over
$50 OO0, 900 more year for one of the daily
necessaries of life. If all that is claimed
for free wool and other productions were
true, as il is not, it would not compensate
the people for the tax on sugar alone. The
crime of this bill is immeasurable.-
Press