The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1894-06-23
A Tariff Catechism.

found among the papers of George
Otis, wealthy American recently
deceased. 1t is published here to
show what a queer way he had of
looking at things. Still, that may
have been because things are so very
queer:
Q. What is the meaning of the
word TARIFF
A. 1t is so called because, hun
dreds of years ago, sea pirates at
Tariffa, Spain, forced every passing
vessel to pay for the privilege of go
ing into and from the Mediterranean
Sea.
q. What is its meaning now?
A. a certain sum forced from the
people by land pirates
@. Why do You say taken by
force?
A. Because Congress says to tue
people, "Stand and deliver,
q. Stand and deliver to whom?
A. To the manufacturers, etc.
Q. In which part of the Consti
tuition does Congress find power to
pass law compelling the poor to
support the rich?
A. In no part.
@ Then where did it find the
power?
A. In the Bible
@. Give the book, chapter and
verse.
A. Matthew, 18th chapter, 18th
verse: For whatsoever hath, to him
shall be given, and he snail have
more abundance; but whatsoever hath
not, from him shall be taken away
even that which he hath
z. Is such law republican in
the sense of being demoeratie-a
government in which the people rule?
A. No. 1t is aristoeratc.
q What do yen mean by arts
tocratic?
A. A government wherein the few
rule the many; where the many work
to support the privileged few.
Q. Explain how the tariff law es-
tablishes an aristoeracy in a Demo
cratic Government?
A, Congress says To the poor.
Because this or that man is rich and
produces iron, or cotton goods, or
wooden goods, you shall pay him so
much money for 50 many pounds. or
yards. or go naked and work without
tools.
@. What reason does Congress
give for such a tyrannical law?
A. Congress says, the law is
differentiation Of industrial fanc-
tions,' which means that industry
is the function of the poor and the
difference goes to the rich.
Q. Is this the only reason Con
gross gives?
A. No. 1t says the tariff is in
tended TO foster infant industries at
home.
q. Are the iron, cotton and wool
industries infants?
a. No. They are hundred years
old.
Q. What date has Congress fixed
for those industries to become of
age2
A. When Gabriel blows his horn.
One Congressman did move 10 make
the time later, hut when reminded
that asbestos was not protected, he
said he would withdraw his motion,
"as it would do no good after Gabe
blew" He sighed and sat down.
@. What is the meaning of a pro-
tective tariff?
A. Protection of the rich from
getting poor, and OF the poor from
getting rich.
@. What is the difference between
the tenants in Ireland and the farm
ers in America?
A. None. In both cases the tax.
gatherer lives ID the East, and the
Sheriff is after both
q. Is there any similarity in the
condition Of many of the Irish ten
ants and American farmers?
A. Yes. The tenants are too poor
to stay, and the farmers are too poor
to leave.
Q. Is that the only benefit the
protective tariff confers upon the
poor.
A. No. 1t improves their NOR
ais; keeps them contented; keeps
down useless desires.
@ How does protection produce
such happy results?
A. The poor have to work so hard
to support the rich they have no time
for mischief Having no money to
leave home or travel, they see moth
ing, and their desires are kept dor
mant. That brings content.