The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1895-09-20
One Year Of
Democratic
Tariff !!

The New York Nal and Ear
oress Of Wednesday had the fol-
living to say Of the German.
wilson tariff
The tariff law Of .'perfdy and
disbonor" is one year old today.
4 has made a record during this
ope year Of existence which will
he more conspicuous and signifi-
can't in our National history than
any other one years record en-
bodying the distinctive tariff end
financial policies of previous ad-
ministrations. 1t is a record of
shame, incapacity, of inconsist-
ency and of widespread disaster.
The law was started upon its
career as the alleged friend and
benefactor of American trade
and industry. But from the first
day Of it's operation it has be-
trayed both of these interests
into the hands of foreign foes.
The one great argument urged
in behalf of this mongrel tariff
measure was that it would open
TO American commerce and in
dustry the markets ofthe world.
This is the one test question of
all Democratic tariff theorizing.
But. like all Democratic theories
when put to the test of practical
experience, the result is directly
opposite in character to that
which was predicted and prom.
ised. The present tariff law has
dolefully failed to fulfill the mis-
sion to which it was appointed by
its authors and advocates. Instead
Of opening the markets of the
world to American trade and in,
dustry, 1t has opened wide the
American market to competitive
foreign manufactures. Never
before in our history has there
been such an increase OF compe-
titive importations during a SINH
lar period of time as has been
Witnessed during the twelve
months operation and enforce
ment of the present tariff law.
In this fact is found the secret
of the unexamp!ed financial and
industrial prostration towhich the
American people have been sub
iected under this administration.
1t explains the falling off in ex.
ports, the paralysis of domestic
enterprise, the congestion of
money, the increase of the ma,
tional debt, the growing defci-
ency of the governments income
and tie halance of trade that is
now running SO disastrously ard
alarmingly against this country.
1t also explains the tendency of
gold to go out of the country at
time when nominally we should
be receiving gold in payment for
food supplies sent abroad. The
demonstration is--complete in the
mere statement Of facts and figu-
res relative to the practical OPP.
Grafton of the present tariff law,
BUTT becomes overwhelming in
It's power of conviction when
these facts and figures are com
pared with those exhibiting the
effect of the operation of the Re
publican tariff. We present in
tins connectiona table showing
the imports of important articles
during the ten months of 1898. ga
under the Republican tariff, as
compared with the imports of
the same articles in ls94.95 un.
der the present tariff. In study
ing this table it is necessary,
however, to remember that the
showing for wooleps is only for
Sly months during the two
periods contrasted. The official
figures are as follows:
1s9495. 1s9s.o4.
WW Wool s20.os2, 80 s7,ss4, nj.
nmool -. -. $500, 007 4.s01, al
SS;9n.ton goods. 29,1ss 1874 1900, 800
N 9alk goods; :. ;. 26,645, 800 i7,9s1, 8o4
ft4ieE textiles. q, 1888. 1874 IA 421. 444