Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-11-12
NOT A REGULATION OF TARIFF
REFORM

REFORN
Ex-President HARRISON, commenting
on the result Of the election, says:
Wherever there was a free ballot the
vote of confidence given 10 1872 70 the
Democratic party, III one was given, mas
been recalled and a vote Of utter and hnal
Reputation substituted. And further;
"a vast majority of our people believe IN q
protective tarif-uever so many and never
so strongly as now
So thought WILLIAM HENRY HAIR
RIsox in 1910. Tbs grandfather of
BENJAMIN, as an exchange recalls,
thought that whatever vote of conf
dence had been given TO the Demo-
cratic party before had "been recalled
and a vote Of utter and final rapudia-
tlou substituted.
And he had as good reason to think
so as his grandson has. On the lst Of
January, 1884, the Clay compromise
tariff went into effect. That law pro-
vided for the reduction at intervals of
two years, ending January 1, 1s43, Of
Of all higher duties to the dead level of
20 per cent. To 1887 there was a disas-
trous panic, the depressing effects Of
which were felt severely for I've years.
The panic was the elimination OF Wild
speculation In land, stimulated by wild
cat bank issues. TO was not caused by
the Clay law at all, for speculation in
creased aud the country seemed to be
growing more and more prosperous for
upward Of two wears after that law took
effect.
But the Wings laid itau to the Clay
law, as their Republican successors have
laid the panic OF 1898 to the prospect
of tariff reduction. Ii was a shin
plaster panic in 1887 as it was a fnan-
cial panic in 1898, but the Wings howl
ed calamity and tariff reduction aud log
cabin and hard cider and coon skin.
They charged up every misfortune
against the Democratic party, as the
Republican high tariff doctors have
done this year.
The result was that Grandfather
HARRISON carried 10 states TO VAN
BUREN's z, and received Pa electoral
votes to VAN BUEEN's 60. Well might
Grandfather HARRISON have though as
Grandson HARRISON now thinks,
that a vast majority Of the peo-
pie were in favor Of protective
tariff, aud that they had changed
their votes Of confidence 10 the Demo
cratic party to one Of cutter and final
Republication.
But he was greatly mistaken. The
reputation was far from being utter or
final To 1912 o protective tariff was
enacted IL was much more moderate
than the Whig Of 1S2S, or the RepubIi-
can tariff Of 1890 or 1883. But the peo-
pie repudiated that in lS44 That year
POLK carried Is States to CLAY's II,
and received 100 electoral votes to
CLAWS los. To 1876 the Walker free
trade tariff" was enacted, aud It stood
for fifteen years, having been reduced
once during that time.
The Wings tried 90 overthrow il and
restore protection in IS4S and 1852, but
without success. In 1852 PERcE car
risd % States TO Scorr's 4, aud received
254 electoral votes TO Scorr's A.. About
that time the Wings made up their
minds that the people had given them
ga vote Of utter and final reputation.
They disbauded and never again APP
peared as a political parry under their
own name.
To took twelve years from the Pand-
slide" Of 1s4O 20 exterminate the whig
party, but lt took only four years to
exterminate its high tariff 1t may not
take so long now for the people 10 get
back on the side Of justice aud CONNER
cial liberty, where they always land in
the long run. The present tariff will
have been in operation over two years
before the mex, Presidential election.
Before the expiration Of that time the
people will discover that it is very
good thing for them, as far as it goes,
and will be prepared TO take 3 little
more Of the same kind rather than
return TO McEinleyism. The country
will have recovered from the effects OF
the Sherman-HarriSon-M Mckinley panic
aud the people will be able TO see very
clearly that the panic of 1893 was no;
caused by the tariff OF 1894