The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-04-06
PETER ON TARIFF.
The Senator Says the Wilson
Tariff Bill
Is No Whit Better Than the
Mckinley Bill.
ONLY MOVES THE TAX
From Raw Materials to Manu-
featured Articles.
Favors Very Limited System
of Protection.

addressed the senate today on the tariff
bill.
Mr.. PETER introduced his speech by
discussing the subject of taxation and
the amounts paid by the people of the
United States to support the government
AL taxes, he said, paid by the people of
the United States amount to nearly one
half of the government debt at the close
of the war. He also declared the large
payments of interests by the people of
the United States had not been accurate
ly ascertained, but were enormous. He
also mentioned the large amount of
money spent on sports, for spirits, to-
bacco, on boards of trade and in other
ways.
I'm every way" said Mr. PETER, ''the
people are taxed, and it ought to be the
aim of statesman to make these burdens
lighter" -
Mr.. PETER entered into discussion of
revenue and protective tariffs and said:
theories is seen chiefly not in an aggre-
gate reduction of duties, as the amount
of revenue must be raised, but in the
manner of adjusting rates.
1.-THE most consistent and practicable
system Of tariff taxation for revenue only
is that adopted by Great Britain-taxing
only such articles as are not produced in
the country levying the tax, and in addi-
ton upon such articles as are more or less
harmful in characters liquors and
tobacco.
"But while this method is simple, it is
unjust in its operation. Sugar, coffee,
tea and spices would supply all the rev.
enue we now derive from customs. But
a system which operates SO unjustly upon
poor people could not be enforced in this
country.
Best Tariff was I'm 1916.
"a nnfa
if we ever had was that of 1846. There
is not enough difference between the
two schools of tariff statesmen worth
quarreling about. They are both pro-
lection as may be seen by comparing the
Mills bill with the tariff of 1893 and the
Wilson bill, with the tariff of 1890. The
first tariff was for two purposes-raising
revenue and to establish domestic man
ufacturing Industries and the effect has
been what was desired and expected.
'In 1890 the Mckinley bill increased
duties 100 per cent on many articles, in
Guiding wool, cutlery and porcelain.
The Mckinley bill was in some respects
a legislative monstrosity. The Mills bill
was a protection measure drawn on a
platform which adopted the presidents
message as one of its planks. That plat
form states the doctrine of protection
closely. The Mills bill was framed to
cover the difference between wages in
this country and others whose produc-
ton completes with ours.
"The Wilson bill is a protective meas
ure. 1t surrenders revenue On the lux
uries. It discriminates against farms.
"The duties on many of the farm pro-
ducts are Of no benefit to the farmer, but
when they are of any use, let them re-
main, if the protection policy is to be
maintained.
1.-THE Wilson bill allows loss of reve-
nue. that might as we'll be retained. 1t is
no better on the whole than the present
law. 1t has free wool, but taxes clothes;
free hides, but taxes shoes. 1t protects
manufacturers and gives free raw ma
terials.
aThe chairman of the finance commit
tee denounced protection as robbery.
How can he support this bill? His
speech was arraignment OF his col
leagues end an apology for himself. When
the tariff reformers bring us free wool
and leave such burdens on the clothing
of men and women, who perform the
manual labor of the country, may not we
inquire where the line is to be drawn be-
tween a tariff for revenue only and the
eliminating atrocity of class legisla-
tion?'
Populfsts Have No Tariff Plank.
"The Populists have tariff plank
in their platform. We view the subject
from the standpoint of taxation We
understand that the levying of tariff du-
ties is a tax upon the people, and we
would make the burden as light as pos
sible. We look upon this subject through
the eyes of the working men. We study
it from the standpoint of the poor and
lowly. The wealthy take care of them
selves.
1.-The Populists believe in graduated
income tax and regard it as the most
equitable system of taxation. While pol
iticians juggle with the tariff, statesmen
ought to make it a matter of business.
.4The Populists do not believe in pull
ing down the rich but IN raising up the
poor. We do not believe in abandoning
wholly the present system. 1t take it
that professed tariff reformers do not see
how greatly their practice contrasts with
their theory-they mean well, but lack
courage only.
Protection. as taught by our fathers,
is the proper doctrine Protection to
domestic industries. Only such indus
tries as can be made national, employing
large numbers of people, shall be pro-
tected, and that only long enough to es-
tablish them; after that save the market
for them and no more. Bounties in
many cases are better than cheaper du-
ties"
Mr.. PETER then explained that the bill
was Objectionable in some features to his
constituents, and explained at some
length the conditions of Kansas.
The fastest.
Will Brown. who has been with Brewer
e. Son for the mast three wears. has