The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-07-26
THE TWO TARIFF THEORIES.


The Herald, for a few days. has de-
voted portion of its editorial space
to brief articles on the distinctive fea-
lures of Democratic and Republican
doctrines. They are for the bensfit Of
beginners in politics. The difference in
the two theories of government receives
a striking Illustration in the tariff
question. Both parties believe in the
policy Of imposing duties upon foreign
because there are none imposed on
commerce between the respective
states. absolute free trade prevailing in
their commercial intercourse.
Congress has constitutional powersto
lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts
and excuses. So far, both parties agree
as to the authority of the national
government But the Democratic doc
trine is that these duties, imposts and
excuses can only be imposed for the
purpose of obtaining revenue to pay
the necessary expenses of the govern
ment. The Republican doctrine is
that they may be imposed for the pur-
pose Of protecting" particular classes
and interests.
The Democratic tariff is for revenue
only. If by its imposition industries
receive incidental benefit there is no
objection, but the purpose and object
of imposing the duties are to obtain
funds for public purposes. On the
other hand. the Republican theory of
the tariff is that the duties imposed
are for the special benefit of individ-
uals and industries producing articles
similar to those on which duties are
levied, the government reaping the
results incidentally. The money collac-
ted at the ports of entry being covered
into the treasury of the United States.
Some people fail to see any radical
difference between the two tariff the
cries. Yet the difference is marked and
essential. a tariff for revenue is a
constitutional tariff. The purpose Tor
which Congress is empowered to col
lect duties on imports is stated in the
constitution to be ITO pay the deb-s
and provide for the common defense
and general welfare of the United
States" 1t is a public tax for a public
purpose. The Republican theory is I'M
constitutional because there is no war
rant in the supreme law of the land
to levy tax of any kind for the spec
ial benefit Of any particular class or
industry or individual.
To the Democratic tariff there IS a
and constitutional limit 1t
IS the necessities of the government,
which, on the Democratic principle, IS
to be economically administered. 1t
does not contemplate a surplus cf
funds in the treasury. 1t provides no
opportunity for the squandering of
public funds for private objects or the
enrichment of any favored class.
The Republican tariff has no defined
limit. 1t is not regulated by the needs
of government, but is levied for the
purpose of enabling American produc-
ers to charge higher prices for their
goods than that at which they can be
imported from abroad with a reason
able duty added
The demands of the manufacturers
of or dealers in those goods, as they
may be yielded to by compliant Con-
gressmen, regulate the extent Of the
duties imposed upon foreign articles
Those demands may be so great as to
cause an excess of revenue, as has
been the case in the history Of the
country under a Republican tariff, thus
offering inducements for the squander-
ing of public funds for private boun-
ties, excessive pensions, and other
means of extravaganza, enriching GER
tain classes at the expense of The Ea-
ton.
The Democratic doctrine of strict
of the constitution re-
ceives in this contrast an important
exemplifcation. That instrument, as
we have shown, tells what is the pur-
pose Of imposing duties, inposts and
excuses. 1t fails TO indicate in any
way, directly or indirectly, that
tariff may be imposed for The fostering
and enriching Of any particular per
ton of the people at the expense Of
the others. And therefore the doctrine
Of protection as enunciated and
practiced by the Republican party is
denounced by Democrats as unconsti-
as it certainly is both partial
and unjust.
A Democratic tariff, then, is for the
public welfare. 1t is for the good of
the body polite. 1t is for The whole |
people. The Republican Tariff is for
private benefit directly, although it
claims to be a public benefit indir, city. |
But it is political heresy, and while it /
nay have served temporary purpose, /
ike all other errors in theory which /
must be improper in practice it will |
pass away, and tariff for revenue /
only, the Democratic tariff, viii be-
come the established rule n the United /
States, preparing the way for that free /
rade between the nations which is
he ideal of the foremost workers for
he progress and perfection Of univer-
;al humanity.
'INFAMY AND CORRUPTION,