The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-11-03
HARDEST ON THE FARMER.
1t Is lie Who Suffers Most from SO.Called
Tariff Reform.

| 1t Is lie Who Suffers Most from SO-Called
Tariff Reform.
The farmers of the country should re-
member, says the Boston Commercial
Bulletin, that at a time when wheat
Is unconscionably low their friends, the
tariff reformers, have caused the clos
ing to them of a market which took
800, 900 barrels of American -four per an
mum. And it was not done in ignorance
either, for it was well enough under
stood what the imposition of the cent
and quarter would have on the Span
ish West India trade. 1t was known
that Spain would retaliate and she has
done 50. Not only is the valuable trade
in flour ruined, but that in provisions
and other farm products crippled by
the reimposition of the high duties
from which the reciprocity policy re-
lieved us.
Under the new schedule the duties on
flour have been increased from 80 cents
or 81 to $4.75 per hundred kilos and on
corn from rs cents to $S.95. The follow
ing articles which were formerly free
when imported into Cuba from the
United States are now dutiable per
hundred kilos: Lard $40, hams $3.50,
bacon $10 salt beef $5.40, fruits 1925,
Goldfish 81, oysters and salmon $3.50, hay
80 cents, beans 1925, potatoes $780, lum-
Der (per 1,00O) SIPS. The duties on coal,
machinery and manufactures of iron
wood and cotton have also been largely
increased.
The West Indian markets are at our
doors and we are the natural source of
supply, not only in natural but in man
ufactured products. The tariff reform
ers claim to favor extending our trade
abroad. They talk unctuously of the
markets of the world, yet the first thing
they do Is to upset an arrangement by
which we had virtual possession of the
markets of Cuba and Porto Rico, on
many products Of the farm and factory,
and under which our exports increased
from $ll ,297, 1873 in 1889, to $23, ,6O4, ,094 in
1898. British trade with Cuba has
almost become a thing of the past"
notes the English Consul General at Ha-
Vana In regard to the reciprocity treaty.
The effect has been to throw nearly
the entire Cuban trade into the hands
of the United States traders"
More than this the Brazilian Govern
ment has given notice of the termina-
ton of the reciprocity arrangement
with that country under which our ex-
ports Of farm produce and manufac-
lures under the favoring clauses of the
treaty, rose from $15,64S, ,525 in 1889 to
more than twenty-three millions in
1892. Now that market which took in
flour over 100000 barrels in that year.
and $4,000 barrels last year when trade
was disarranged by the civil war is
thrown to the Argentine Republic. Be
sides breadstuffs, Brazil admitted free
hay, salt pork, salt and canned fish,
machinery tools and impliments and
articles of railroad construction. Amer
lean flour Is now subject to a duty of
Sl.25 per barrel; corn, rye and barley
(grain or meaD, three cents per pound:
pork and bacon three cents; cotton seed
oil, five cents; salt fish, IL cents.
Brazil also allowed remission of 25
per cent. of duty on lard, bacon, butter
and cheese, lumber, manufactures of
cotton, certain manufactures of leath
er, wood and rubber. Now these great
advantages have been sacrificed
Wasn't 1t rather high price to pay.
the sacrifice of this trade, for the puer-
lie purpose Of showing spite at the Har-
rlson Administration and illustrating
the tariff for revenue doctrine by lew.
ing tax of ~ cents on raw sugar.
which before was free.