The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-31

THE TARIFF or Isse.

The discussion Of the Wilson tariff bill,
80 far as il relates 10 the customs revenue,
is about concluded. On the part Of the
Democrats the debate has been ignorant,
shallow and unserupuloas. Wilson in bis
opening speech asserted that the country
was never so prosperous as IL was under
the Walker tariff Of is46-'S7. which has
been the model for the pending sectional
tariff bill. Mr.. Wilson'S assertion is COM
pietsly confuted by the facts Of history.
As early as is50 Samuel Bowies. the fsmou.
editor Of the Springfield. Mass. Republican.
and other representative citizens OF Iassa-
chusests sent 8 petition 10 congress beg
ring IL 20 revise the tariff of 1876 ia the
interest Of protection. Among other things
trade" tariff OF 1876:
Previous TO the passage of that Law the
manufacturing and mechanical interests
IN this community we're IN fourishing
condition. Since that time the condition
Of things has entirely changed. and il is
fully believed that much of the siagnation
OF business may be traced TO the operation
of that law. Manufacturing ianguIsbes,
mechanics are thrown out Of employment.
business Of all kinds is dull. and unless
protection can be afforded TO our iaboring
classes poverty will oyertake them. The
subscribers. therefore. pray that congress
will 50 alter the tariff OF 1876 as will pro-
tect the labor and capital Of tie country
from foreign competition"
President Fillmore. Ia his annual mes
sage Of is5i, said:
The value Of our exports Of brsAdstufs
and provisions. which it vas supposed the
incentive Of low tariff and large inpor;a-
tions from abroad would have greatly aug
mented. has fallen from SIS. 600 60 in iSs7
20 81, 10000 in 1851, with almost a Ger
tainty Of still further reduction in ie59
The policy which dictated q low rate of
duties of foreign merchandise. IL was
thought By those who established IL. would
tend TO benefit the farming population of
this country by increasing the demand
and raising the price Of agricultural pro-
ducts In foreign markets. The foregoing
facts, however. seem 20 show incontestihly
that no such result has followed the adop-
tion OF this policy"
In 1854 Huafs Merchants Magasias. a
free trade journal. said:
Confidence - shaken everywhere and
all classes are nade To realize the insecur-
ity of worldly possessions. The causes
which led 10 this have been long time at
work. Goods which had accumulated
abroad when the demand had Amos,
ceased we're crowded upon our shores at
vhatevesadvanoe could be obtained. thus
aggravsting the evil. 2"
The New York Herald of January q.
isia. comments upon the large failures at
Boston and New Orleans. and publishes
"a address Of the unemployed working
mems committee TO the mayor of the city
Of New York. These workingmen said:
1--WE do not come as beggars, but We ask
what We deem right. We ask not aims,
hut work. We dou't want = little SOUP
now and eas;-eff ciothiug tomorrog. Bat
we do want work and the means OF max
ing an honest livelihood. The condition
Of the working classes is most psie0us
They want bread. Is there not enough in
the city, They want clothes. Is there
none made now aiaysg'
The New York Hssald and New York
4, ihHae of iss are filled with statements
showing the terrible condition OF the
workingmen. In lss7. ten years after the
tariff Of 1919 went into operation. Demo
cratic President Buchanan, ia his message
TO congress. said.
'In the midst Of unsurpassed plenty in
al tie predictions aud in ali the e...
ments % national wealth, we fnd our
manufactures suspended. our pubic
works re sanded. oar private enterprises Of
different kinds abandoned. aud thousands
If useful laboeeTs taEown out % employ
ment and reduced - waat
There vas rot year fsom the tim.
President Fillmore seat his message 70
congress in iSsi unIl. the beginning OF the
war, when the country was eorros
money AZ II rer event. interest 70 pay ear.
rent expenses. shas the newspapers ace
not tiliesi with complaints Of workinrsnen
and with accounts 81 business disasters
aad hard times. and yeG NJ Wilson ana
his cis4aers IN congress persist ia taking
ahoat the exceptional prosperity that sx.
listed der the tara Of i>ss Vita de-
cent tariff the coaatTy ought 20 have hecn
prosperous from iS36 10 IS0 for ;ht.
period included tia war wish Mexie, the
discovery Of gold ia California. the failure
OF crops in Europe aud tae Crlrnsan war.
which gave Us exceptionally hEeh frGees
for our wheat and bresdssaHt Nevezthe.
lsss from ISst "a i>to thu country exusrts3
specie ia excess % imports To the amount
Ct sals,t-3.saA Every yrar there Vas an
expott IL from So go o.s5 % So oaa. go %
specie fhis great drsia upon tae country
vas one IT the results - this section Al
low tara ct lSt-tsl. snA tAas il did not
entirely rain the eoaatrv vas aae - shs
enormous pros astleD ~ Fo.d Sra California