The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-25
FOR FARMERS TO THINK OF.
How the Wilson Tariff Law Ii Affect
ing Their Interests.

How the Wilson Tariff Law In A0ect-
ing Their Interests.
Washington Letter in New York Tribune.
Had the farmers Of the country and those
dependent on agriculture realized what the
new tariff law is doing In regard to their
industry. the verdict of the recent cleo
tons would probably have been ever more
strongly adverse to 1t and the party which
created IT. The persons dependent on ag-
riculture for a livelihood are. according to
the census. practically one-half the popula-
ton of the country. That they were unfa-
vorably impressed with the workings of the
new law is apparent, but had they known
that under it the imports of farm products
have more than doubled and the exports
of the articles they produce fallen of %
per cent, their expression of views at the
polls would probably have been even more
pointed and vigorous. Recent publications
Of the Bureau of Statistics make it possible
TO compare in detail the operations of the
new tariff law in its first year with those
of the Mckinley law in former years. And
it makes a sorry showing for the new law.
and sustains fully the predictions made by
Republicans during it's discussion.
II will be remembered that the Repub-
leans warned the low-tarif people that
they were opening American markets to the
agricultural products of other parts of the
world By the reduction in duty they were
adopting and that no adequate compensa-
tion would come in any increase In ex-
ports. 1t was a favorite theory of the
free-traders, however. that the opening of
american doors to the products OF the
a larger demand abroad for American pro-
auctions. That this was not true is shown
by the fact that American exports in the
first year OF the new tarir law fell off near
ly $!5.oOo.ooo. while the imports increased
nearly 500. co., 900. So it appears
ports resulting in an improved
export business. the reverse was true. and
while this country was being overrun with
American market abroad was falling off
at the rate of 5000 900 a year.
While this is true In general terms of all
the industries OF the country. IT seems that
the great agricultural class is the worst
sufferer. and a study OF the work OF the
new law and international commerce since
II went into effect presents a deplorable
state of affairs as to it's effect on agri-
culturists and those dependent on them.
II would seem that the trainers Of the new
tariff law especially intended it to bear
heavily on the farmer. Warned as they
were by the Republicans when the bill
was under discussion that the result would
be an increase IN imports of the articles
produced by agriculture, they persisted in
lowering duties. The result Is seen in an in
crease Oh ABOUT ~ per cent. IN the articles
imported by Canada which finds in the
United States the chief market for her
products. while people who have visited that
country this season say that the Canadians
are now clamoring for a still further reduce
ton of the duties.
But it is in a study in detail Of the work
OF the law; especially pc in regard gard to !, = farm iba
The Chief asTIsultuTaI imports are
Tea Tiers fruits hay. hemp. hides,
hops, provisions. rice, seeds. tobac-
CO, vegetables and wool. In every one
months under the new law are greater than
in the corresponding twelve months OF the
previous year under the Mckinney law.
products have fallen of almost as surely
and steadily. The chief articles of export
of the farm are hay. hops, vegetables. oil
provisions. including meats OF all sorts. In
every one Of these classes the exports of
the first twelve months under the new law
| are less than those of the preceding twelve
months under the Mckinley law. OF the
long list OF agricultural imports named
every one shows Increased importations,
while of the articles of export named every
one shows a reduction of exports. This
list OF articles OF Importation includes
those which come into competition with
products of this country. and omits such az
are not produced here, and whose Increased
importation does not unfavorably anect the
farmer. Among those which do affect the
producers of the country, however, ii Is
found that the increased importation is
from 20 to 400 per cent, while the falling Off
in exports is almost as strongly marked
The tables given below show In detail the
imports and exports of agricultural prod
ucts In the first year of the new law.
compared with the Imports and exports of
the same classes of articles In the preced-
ing twelve months under tire Mckinley law.
The period covered is from Sept. Z. 1895. TO
Sept. 1. 1894. under the old law, and from
Sept. 1. 1894. TO Sept. l. 1895, under the new
law. The new law. it will remembered.
went into efect Aug. @. 1894. and the years
preceding and succeeding Sept. l OF that
year, therefore. cover accurately the first
year of the new law and the last year OF
the old one. 1t will be seen by a study of
the tables that the imports of live animals
increased 100 per cent. i'm the first year of
the new law, those OF eggs 10 per cent,
fax 40 per cent. feathers 30 per cent,
hay 100 per cent. hemp 40 per cent. hides
40 per cent. seeds over 200 per cent. and
wool over 400 per cent. Taking the total
imports OF the class coming into COMPETE
ton with the farmers OF the country. the
imports were increased more than 100 per
cent. in value, as against the preceding
year. while OF the exports the falling off
was from 10 to 80 per cent 1t may be re-
marked by way of explanation that of
fruits only such as come into competition
with the products of this country were
taken into consideration in making up the
accompanying
The following table, taken from the Of
fetal records OF the Treasury Department,
shows the imports and exports of leading
farm products in the first year of the new
law, comparing them with those OF the last
year Of the old law:
-Agricultural Imports