Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-03-05

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placed, that the number Of idle ships
grows larger every day; in short, that
there has been a change for the worse
In foreign commerce, attended by a
similar condition in agriculture and In
ternal commerce. The remedy now
proposed is a still higher tariff, another
turn Of the screw. an expedlent certain
to aggravate the evils now prevailing.
In Italy there is chaos. Uprisings
have occurred TO resist the outrageous
taxes on the necessaries Of life, and
these have to be put down by military
force. AT the same time there is de-
fciency in the revenue, and while il is
proposed 70 reduce expenditures the
proposed economies are admitted to be
insufficient 20 avoid a deficit. New
taxes are proposed, to be levied upon a
people already exhausted by excessive
taxation.
Fifteen years ago Germany entered
upon the enterprise Of making the Deo-
pie happy by protective taxes. This
was largely in the interest of agrlcul-
ture which demanded TO be shielded
from the curse Of cheap food. The
system ran it's usual course. It did not
answer expectations, and its advocates
said it was not high enough. Soin1sS5
rates we're put up again, Two years
later 70 was thought necessary to make
a further increase.
These constantly augmenting imposts
on the necessaries of life have caused
great distress among the poor Of Ger
many. But what effect have they had
upon agriculture? For answer let us
turn TO the speech OF Dr. MIGUEL, in the
Reichstag, on Thursday. He has been
counted on in some quarters as an op-
pouent of the treaty with Russia, as
he is known TO be- in sympathy with the
agrarians He said that the main task
OF the Prussian government for the next
few years must be TO devise effectual
assistance for agriculture. In spite Of
this be favored the treaty. 'In any
case, be added, 1.-The treaty can not
render the condition Of husbandry any
worse than it is.'
such is the effect Of fifteen years Of
high protection upon German agricul-
ture. Even In the opinion Of its warm
est friends it's condition can not be any
worse. This is but a repetition Of the
experience of the United States. We
have had a continued demand for higher
rates, aud they have been advanced from
time TO time. The Mckinley bin went
TO the extreme Of high protection, and
what is to-day the condition OF our in-
dustries? According to the statements
Of the parties interested they were never
worse, They are asking for the repeal
Of the Mckinley act that they may have
a chance to revive.
tits alleged. of course that business
depression is due 20 the prospective re-
duction of the duties. To what then is
it due in Italy, where there is a prospect
of an increase? TO what is 10 due in
France, where an increase has just been
made? There is no fear of tariff reform
in france, but there is a paralysis of in
dustry and trade. To what shall we
attribute the depression in Germany
where agriculture It's chief beneficiary
is admitted TO be- in so desperate a con-
dition Tint no commercial treaty can
make it worse? The limit has been
reached in putting up duties, both in
Germany aud the United States, but the
expected blessings have failed to ma
terial.ze.
What does this economic ferment, "
staguation and distress in all protective
tariff countries mean? Simply that the
theory that a nation can tax itself into
prosperity has about run its course.
TIE WEATHER. FOX MARCH