Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-05-31
UNFAIR TAXATION.
RESTRICTED TRADE BENEFITS FEW
AT THE COST or MANY.
Ercn Commerce Between this States Has
Pra~ed the Advantages Of Open Markets.
Tho Protective System Il Antiquated,
OutwOrn and Inadeuuat<. .s .

Pra~ed the Advantages Of Open Markets..
Tho Protective System IL Antiquated,
Outworn and Inadequate, ....
We noted the other day the remark
able contention of Senator Lodge Of
Massachusetts that trade was in effect. .
state of war, In which each people
should strike" at all others and "at-
tack" them whenever the opportunity
offered The means Of waging this war
suggested by Mr.. Lodge was differential
duties---that ID, making trade more diff
fcult and less profitable between our.
selves and any nation, such o. England.
against whom hostilities were at the
timo particularly directed. Now comes
Senator Perkins Of California with an
elaboration Of this theory in defense Of
tho Mckinley tariff. The tariff duties,
according to Mr.. Perkins, are the license
fees which the government Of the United
States imposes on foreigners for the
privilege OF trading In our markets on
equal terms with our own merchants
There Is something plausible and at
tractiye in this theory to u mind that has
never been accustomed to anything but
local trade, but VIC confess that we are
surprised to find 1t gravely supported
by a man Of Mr.. Perkins business OK
perience and sagacity. .af
The notion that trade yields gain only
to tho seller, and that those sellers
mako tho most money who can most re-
strict tho number OF their rivals, Is a
very old and narrow one. 1t lies at the
bottom Of tho octroi system in Europe,
which, though 1t has now become most
ly q means of raising local revenue
and a very clumsy, costly and mischiev-
Gus means 1t is---was originally intend
ed to protect" tho traders of each city,
town or village from outside competi-
ton. The samo theory prevailed In this
country as to trade between the people
Of tho several colonies or states up to
the time OF tho adoption Of the federal
constitution, but though Its application
was not explicitly prohibited by that in
strument 1t was gradually abandoned
under the influence OF the national spirit
and Of tho experience Of tho immense
Of UNRESTRICTED commerce be-
tween tho states. II the merchants Of
before they could sell tho
wares sent by them on Mr.. Perkins
steamers to Oregon and Washington,
had to pay license feo in the shape Of
duties or In any other shape to tho
amount OF 80 per cent Of the market
value ut home, would business be as nc
tive, as growing, as profitable MS the
senator has found 1t?
Some % years or more ago, by the re-
peal OF internal taxes and tho omission |
10 repeal 80 much Of tho customs dues |
~ were an offset to tho internal taxes,
tho business men of this country, almost
without knowing it, were brought UNI
dor what Mr.. Perkins calls tho license
system OF tariff taxation. They havo ut
last discovered that it does not pay any
more than tho old system of taxing trade
between tho states paid. They have
found that they can make profit by
ceiling abroad rs we'll rs ut home, and
hat they cannot sell abroad unless there
Is corresponding purchase. They have
earned to 500 that tho restrictive policy
'orcod on the country by the relatively
mail number Of persons who We're ben
fitted by the tariff il ut onco unfair and
Senator Porkinswe believe
% bo IN unusually able and honest repre-
OF his part of tho country. We
ro confident that the policy he advo-
,ates il bound to be more injurious to
lis section thnn to any other, and that
or all sections 1t Is Anticipated, outworn
md harmful. New York Times.