Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-08-23
A TARIFF CATECHISM
Montreal Herald.

The following short cstechism was
found among the papers of George
Otis, a wealthy American recently dc.
ceased. Is is published here to show
what a queer way he had Of looking at
things. san, that may have been be-
cause things are so very queer:
2. What is the meaning Of the word
"tarifF?"
A. 1t is so called because, hundreds
of years ago, sea pirates At Tariffa,
Spain, forced every passing vessel to
pay for the privilege Of going into and
from the Mediterranean Sea.
Q. What Is its meaning now?
A. A certain sum forced from the
people by land pirates.
q. Why DO you say taken By force?
A. Because Congress says to the peo-
pie, "Stand and deliver"
Q. Stand and deliver TO whom?
A. To the manufacturers, etc.
Q. In which part Of the Constitution
does Congress find power to pass law
compelling the poor 10 support the rich?'
A. In no part.
Q. Then where did it tind the power?
A. 10 the Bible.
q. Give the book, chapter and verse.
b. Matthew, 18th chapter, 18th
verse: "For whatsoever hath, TO him
shall be given. and he shall have more
abundance; but whatsoever hath not,
from him shall be taken away even that
which be hath!"
Q. Is such law republican in the
sense OF being demOcratic-a govern
ment in which the people rule?
a. No. II is aristocratic.
q What do you mean by aristo-
cratic?
A. a government wherein the few
rule the many; where the many work to
support the privileged few.
Q. Explain how the tariff law estab-
fishes an aristocracy in a Democratic
Government?
A. Congress says to the poor, Be-
cause this or that man is rich and pro-
duces irou, or cotton goods, or wooden
goods, you shall pay him so much
money for so many pounds, or yards, or
20 naked and work without tools.
Q. What reason does Congress give
for such a tyrannical law?
A. Congress says, the law is ''dif-
ferentiation of industrial function"
which means that industry Is the func-
ton OF the poor, and the difference
goes 20 the rich.
O. Is that the only reason Congress
gives?
A. No. It says the tariff is intended
10 foster infant industries at home.
.. Are the iron, cotton aud wool in
duStries iniants2
A. No. They are hundred years
old.
0. What date has Congress fixed for
those industries 70 become OF age?
A. When Gabriel blows his horn.
One Consressman did move to make the
time later, but when reminded that
asbestos was not protected, he said he
would withdraw his motion, "as 1t
would do no good after Gsbe blew" BE
sighed and sat down.
Q. What is the meaning Of protec-
tive tariff?
A Protection Of the rich from get
ting poor, and Of the poor from getting
rich.
o. What is the difference between
the tenants 10 Ireland and the farmers
10 America?
A. None. In both cases the tax
gatherer lives in the East, and tbs
Sheriff is after both.
o. Is there any similarity in the
condition Of many OF the Irish tenants
and American farmers?
A. Yes. The tenants are too poor
10 STAY, and the farmers are too poor to
leave.
.. Is that the only benefit the protec-
tive tariff eoufers upon the poor.
A. No. II improves their morals;
keeps them contented; keeps down use
less desires.
Q. 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. HaviRg no money to leave
home or travel, they see nothing, and
their desires are kept dormant. That
brings content.