The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-06-29
Result of the New Tariff Law.

4While the new tariff law is a long step away
from MeKinleyism, and will result in lower prices
for cotton wooden and silk goods Tor iron ana
steel manufactures, for tin and binder twine and
yarious other articles of prime necessity still it
does not fulfil the complete measure OF tax reform
promised by the Democratic party ana expected oy
the people aud the contest must be waged until
taxation shall be levied for revenue only and be SO
adjusted that trusts and monOpoiies snail Oe no
more 1t was not to be expected that policy OF
thirty years growth could be absolutely reversed
all at once but having laid the basis for const-
tional tariff for revenue only, II VIII De easy IN the
future TO eradicate whatever Of protection remains
by special legislation
This was the declaration of the Democratic
party of Carroll in convention assembled last
September. Just one month after the new tar
if law went into effect. The operation Of the
law has more than fulfilled what was claimed.
Not only has there been reduction in the
prices Of ''eotton. xOolen and silk goods,
iron and steel manufactures, tin, binder twine
and various other articles Of prime necessity,
there has been general increase in the wages
of labor. and voluntary increases, not adj
vances wrung after conflict. The reduction
in prices of these goods has been sharp, and
binder Irvine is not much more than one-third
as high as it was four or FIVE years ago.
The removal Of the letters Of trade by the
Democratic tariff law has not only resulted in
lower prices for the necessities Of the farm and
the household, and for various other articles,
and an increase of the wages of labor. hut in
freer trade and the widening of the markets
for the product Of our manufactures and
farms Some American goods are now sold
in European markets in successful competl-
ton with the products of foreign ''panper
labor. and more foreigr goods are used in
America. The cheapening Of prices has m
creased consumption, and the revival Of bnsi-
ness, an consequence of freer trade by reason
Of the new tariff schedules, has made times
more prosperous. The increase Of the price
OF wheat Of twenty-five to thirty cents bushel
has increased the farmers ability TO buy, aud
as agriculture is the basis Of all wealth and
progress. the general rise in nearly all agvi-
cultural products gives promise Of a season of
unusual prosperity.
The new tariff has wrought wonderful
changes in business and prices. As was said
in the resolutions of The Carroll Democracy.
the law Is not all that was promised or eN-
peeted by the people, but that it could not fe
expected that policy Of protection Of thirty
wears growth could be reversed at one stroke.
It is undeniable. however. tina, the law Is far
better than thousands Of people supposed,
and every days papers bring the proof in re-
ports Of the revival of trade and the starting
Of new enterprises Had the income tax
feature been sustained. the law would have
provided enough revenue for the purposes Of
government. The deficit will have to be pro
yided for by changes in the tariff or internal
revenue schedules. but there viii be no very
radical changes in tariff duties. To declare
for a tariff for revenue is only a declaration
of principle To adjust rates 50 as TO make q
law that would be revenue measure only
was difficult task, and the Democratic party
Is to be congratulated upon it, work.
Ex-Governor Flower. Of New York. who
as member Of Congress few years ago bad
occasion to study the tariff question, in a re
cent interview, said:
There never was a better law the statue hsokS
than the present farin Law And marx my pF,sllse
ton No political party viii make an Issue on y
aud renew the fight fnr a high protective tariff
The law il probably br changed IN some details
however and this possibly. with view - increase
the revenue The present Tariff law Is the tacsi We
have had for hfty years and the principle II rev
enue tariif has come 10 stay.
In this expression Gov. Flower speaks as a
business man with large industrial interests,
as an advocate of q tariff for revenue only.
aud as a man who IS thoroughly eonversant
with the tariff question, practically As well As
theoretically. His opinion, too, Is sustained
by the general revival Of trade and commerce,
BY returning agricultural prosperity, by the
starting up Of mines and manufactures that
we're driven into idleness under Mekinleyism,
BY increase Of wages. and the widening Of cur
markets
The new law Is longer step away from
McKinleyi-m than even the Democracy 81
Carroll supposed. They knew reduction Of
taxation would be generally beneficial but
they scarcely realized the good thar was to
result from the law. As time goes on II will
be difficult to discover any man to tind serious
fault with the law.