Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-06-22
Now IL Democrat.

I
McSrs. Editors Having for some
time been close observer of national
politics, and having examined the
theories and practical results of the
different economic policies which have
engaged the attention OF the several
political parties, have arrived at
certain conclusions i'll regard to the
same, and ask permission to express
such convictions in the columns of your
paper
lst.-That the idea of high pro-
tective tariff as advocated by the Re-
publican party is false and delusive
principle, and only tends to fill the
Golfers of a few while it impoverishes
the masses.
2nd.-rhat the policy of the Dem,
ocratic party. viz, "a tariff for revenue
only" embodies more nearly the right
idea of political economy, and in its
ultimate perfection will bring greater
prosperity to the different business
interests of the country.
As an example to illustrate the
truth of the foregoing proposition I
beg leave to call attention to the tin.
plate industry Of this State.
Under the Wilson Bill which took
effect ON October lst, of last year, the
duty on tin-plate was reduced one cent
per h., and Immediately the price of
tin-plate in the United States dropped
about s1.00 per hundred lbs. and it is
natural to conclude that if the McKin-
ley duty of 30 cents had been wholly
removed, tin-plate would have sold for
1920 per hundred less than it sold for
under the Mckinley tariff. Now the
tin-plate works near Baltimore produc-
ell between Jan. '93 and Oct. "a 49,
000, 900 lbs. Of tin-plate, which, selling
at the higher price under the McKin-
ley law, cost the consumers S2SS,000
more than it would have cost them
had the tariff been removed. But the
protectionist claims that this extra
cost is not an imposition on the con-
sumner as it goes into the pocket Of the
laborers who make the plate. But
let us see if this is true. During the
period between Jan. '93 and Oct. "a,
the entire wages paid to its employees
by the tin-plate works referred to
aggregated only s133,000. The high
tariff gave to the manufactures $685.
600 as a bonus, and the manufacturer
paid out to his labor Sl33,000. The
difference, the neat sum of S1555, 600,
went into the pockets of the millionaire
owners Of the tin-plate works.
These facts clearly illustrate the
general principal of high protective
tariff, and must be convincing in their
lesson TO the people.
In conclusion | will add that | am
aware when a man renounces the
tenets OF a party with which he has
been allied, and claims allegiance to
party of some other political faith,
there are persons ever ready to doubt
his honesty and question his motives
but let me say that while there may
have been time in the past when
such a course rs this would have lei
TO material gain and self aggrandize-
ment, that time has passed by, and |
have no other reasons for adopting the
principles of the Democratic party
than honesty of purpose and conviction
of right
1t does not always reflect favorablv
upon Il mans intelligence or integrity
for him to persistently follow the
creed which he may at first have
adopted for the government of his
political course, for the conditions of
affairs are constantly changing-re-
suits are proving or disproving theories
-preludices are fading away before
the light of truth-and the honest
mind must be open to conviction, even
at the risk of possible remuneration
of former sentiments and beliefs.
Thanking you. Messrs Editors, for
the space | have occupied in your
paper, am,
Yours respectfully,
CUAs = RIrUARnSOS