The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-27
CARNEGIE on THE TARIFF.

CARNEGIE on THE TARIFF.
negie answers the question What would
] do with the tariff II I were ezar2"'
Perhaps. next to Pullman. the working
men Of this country consider Carnegie a
perfect type OF the capitalist who delights
I'm grinding down his workmen for his
own proat-one of the ''barons" of this
republic But notwithstanding the hatred
which the laboring people have for Car
nsgse. in his discussion OF the tariff he
stands for the taxation OF the rich and a
tightening Of the burdens borne 10y the
poor.
The keynote 10 his idea OF tariff Is the
following: My aim would be 10 keep
free from duty the nscessaries OF life used
b. the many, and to tax highly the luxu-
ries OF the few" he says he should not
tax the masses who wear and consume
home products. but the tariff duties
should be paid by the luxurious people OF
fashion who wear al whatever cost the
fine wcollens and silks imported from Eu-
rope. The American masses who use
American tobacco and cigars should not
be taxed any higher upon these than at
present. but the rich and luxurious gem
tlemen whose nostrils require the per-
fume OF the Havana, should become more
profitable 10 the state BY paying at least
double the present duty. The champagne
and rare old wine drinkers and purchas-
ers Of rare old or rare new foreign china
and glass. perfumeries and similar arti-
cles. should be able TO boast with perfect
truth OF their enhanced value IL should
never be forgotten that imported articles
are used by the rich few. and homd prod
Ucts by the masses
Mr.. Carnegie would not levy increased
duties on foreign articles for protection.
but purely for revenue. However. he says
that II this policy should benefit the home
manufacturer. Il should not. because of
that. be considered an objection. Mr. Car
negie does not consider this question from
a party standpoint. for he says that
neither party has made the primary OBJ
tect OF the tariff the collection Of the
revenue from the Injuries of the rich, re-
gardless OF either free trade or protection.
"A proper tariff would replace the burden
upon the shoulders Of those best able TO
hear II. and much higher rates would be
imposed upon these autcles than have
ever yet been charged"
Mr.. Carnegie shows very clearly the fall
lacy of the Democratic claim that the
Wilson tariff removes the burden OF taxa
ton from the masses of the people A
page could be filled with a list Of the
luxuries OF the rich upon which the taxes
have been reduced by the new tariff
China is reduced 80 per cent. glass plate
- per cent. silks 81 per cent. laces. en-
hrokierles. etc. Is per cent. and silks 10
to ~ per cent. Hefmentions several other
articles used by the rich man OF fashion
and his grand dame" upon which the duty
has been materially reduced. and In the
whole list there Is not one article used by
the workingman. And this IS tariff re-
/ form" The taxes ara removed only
I from the rich"
/ Mr. Carnegie says the rich ought to be
! willing 80 have the duties on their mo
! linen and silks put az a high figure be-
! cause one great element Of fashionable
/ use is great cost. He would double the
/ tax on champagne. silks, laces linens.
/ etc. lie thinks that II this were done the
1 reduction in the amount consumed would
! not much more than equal the increase
/ arising from the increase % popula tion
/ and wealth. But should a considerable
reduction in consumption take place. It
/ would be 50 much the better for SO much
more OF the wealth Of the country would
BE used Tor the purchase OF home prod
! ucts
when broughs face 80 face with the
| fact that thu principal change produced
/ by The Wilson bin was thus 20 reduce du-
/ ties upon two-thirts ~ the total tariff
! revenues exclusively for the bcDeft OF ihe
+ rjch. who alone use imported goods. o. e
+ asks bow 50 able honest. Eealous and
/ pure = nisn as Mr.. Wilson could represent
/ himself a. Hitting the unnecessary bur
den OF onerous tariff taxation from the
masses ~ the reopie-the explanation i
/ easy. he eas inexperienced. lie had not
/ Stuiioi the question"
Nj Carnegie would have no iAcofue tax
/ The rev tariff hiH should provide that
! no tArin legislation should be undertake
for zen years. WITH articles vnich ary
( the IuxarieS ~ the few. upou which ths
/ WUson bHl sas evestiy reduced duties. hs
h,l,3s thsf neither free trade nor progec-
SION should have anything 70 90, Upor
I these ne - aut1 have are TAX excessively
& high. SOLELY fer revenue.
81 c}oslng Nr Carnegie makes a strors
I ploa far ;he -{ sling masses" DE woul3
uaAe she tsr.T n business proposition
( 20 woult te framed V{th a view En- rev
crue. and upen the theory thai - rasss
/ thls FROM the Cerrtsa luxuries ot thc eV
/ travaExns Tlea class Is hest for enc people
81 general