The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-05
A SECTIONAL TARIFF.

The tariff debate in the senate is nearing
It's close. and it is clearly evident that the
Democratic majority. with the aid OF the
Popuiists and a few silver" state Repub-
licans, are both willing and able TO pass
the most pernicious tariff measure that
has disfgured the legislation Of the nation
since the foundation of the government
Ii Is q sectional tariff, as was the Mills bill
OF 1851, and Is complete Reputation OF
the pledge Of the Chicsgo platform for
tariff for revenue. which Is the logical
opposite of the Mckinley tariff, which -
protective tariff; that is. protection all
around, for both the producer of raw ma
teriais and the manufacturer of finished
goods.
To illustrate its sectional quality, take
the contrast between the sedulo0s care
with which the cotton interest OF the
South is protected and the destructive
blow aimed at Northern wool and the
wooden interest. Cotton manufactures
| are defended because the South grows
cotton and is beginning to run spindies.
But the South is not specially interested
in wool and wooden manufactures. which
are distinctively q Northern interest. so
while cotton interests are shielded and
everything that concerns the welfare of
the cotton producer is carefully guarded.
the wool grower is completely robbed of
all protection.
This Wilson tariff bill as amended by
the senate shields the interests of the
South, while it staDs the interests of the
North. The sheep industry. which is OBJ
liberated by placing wool on the free list,
engages a million and quarter of people
and employs q capital of half billion of
| dollars. Its annual product is valued at a
hundred millions. Under the policy of
protection we have become the third WOOL
growing country in the world. We pro-
duce 20 per cent. Of our own consumption.
| The maintenance of this policy of pretec-
tion 10 wool would within five years
double our fifty million of sheep. To place
wool on the free list. as the Wilson tariff
bill proposes would exterminate this indus
try and make the nation dependent on for
eign supply under the control OF foreign
competitors. In other words, the Wilson
tariff bill, under the pretense of giving the
wool consumer free raw materials, stunts
the development of national resources and
checks the upbuilding of national strength.
Wooden manufactures are just IS much
entitled to protection as cotton manufac-
lures. In volume of capital, number of
employees amount of wages and value of
product our wooden are quite as important
as our cotton manufactures. To shield the
one and strike down the other can only be
explained upon the ground that the Will
son bill is drawn on sectional lines and is
sectional tariff.
The wooden industry is among the great
est in the country. and Its growth has been
more rapid than that of cotton manufact-
ures Nevertheless q Democratic senate
proposes to vote from $50. 100000 to $780,
100000 into the pockets of the sugar trust
and at the same time place wool on the free
list, which means the destruction of the
hocks of million farmers Ind the wages
of a quarter of million of wooden
workers. When the Democratic SEN
ators Jones, Vest. Mills. German
and Brics revised the Mouse Wilson
bin they retained wool on the free
list. When Populist Senator PETER. of
Kansas. moved an amendment giving wool
just one-halt the protection it enjoys I'M
der the Mckinley act IL was beaten by Just
two votes, all the Populists, including
Stewart. of Nevada, voting with Repub-
leans against solid Democratic mega
tive. The Democrats have just three ma
jority over the Republicans and Populists
together, but Democratic Senator Hill, of
New York. refrained from voting.
The sectionalism OF the senate bill is
further shown by the Democrats taking
dates. pineapples. cocoanuts and olives
from the free list and making them dutia-
bic, simply to benefit a few growers in
Florida. Cocoanuts are raised to an ex-
tremely limited extent in the United
States. as they will not grow except about
Key West in the extreme southern part of
Florida Pineapples are also grown here
10 very limited extent But 10 benefit
these few Southern growers all of the pso-
pie of the United States who consume
dates, pinespples, cocoanuts and olives
are to be made to pay a higher price for
them.
The Democrats ofthe senate made these
articles of common use dutiable while they
put diamonds and precious stones on the
free list. and the rates on iewelry as fixed
by the house have been still further re-
duced. Mr.. Jones reported an amendment
from the finance committee reducing the
duty on matches from - TO 10 per cent.
Ii is well known that matches are manu-
featured and controlled by trust as pow
! eFfal as that OF the Sugar Trust, and owing
90 the fact that the trust has large man
utacsory IN Wilmington. Mr.. Gray, OF Del
= aware, is reported to have protested against
! this reduction of duties on this article OF
common use. Hence. Mr.. Jones withdrew
the amendment and left the duty on
matches ST - per cent.
Bus on wax matches and other kinds
which have come into general use within
a few years. the bill actually increases the
rates. as stated by Mr.. Lodge. from 300 to
800 per cent over those fixed in the Nc
kinley bill
This vas done IN the interest of the trust
! The committee increased the rates Of duty
on sole leather and certain alleged raw
! materials" apparently at the demand Of
, Senator Smith. Of New Jersey. who Is a
r leather manufacturer. They increased the
rates on slate pencils as fixed by the house.