The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-06-16

! or nothing from there about the tsrfn.
| Mckinley and his man Hanna have per-
sistentIy attempted all through the can
vass to push the tariff TO the front as
| tho absorbing issue. but no one Is now
paving the slightest attention TO their
effort or 20 the tariff. The common
sense Of all men tells them that the
standard OF value IS the all-imoortant
matter. and men are busying themselves
with what is necessary TO MAINTAIN 'hat
~ the exclusion Of everything else. This
is 50 plain that dispatches from the seat
Of war represent that Mckinney Iouu
blasts for a protective tariff have o"lhu''u
down into "a petty wall for protec''o"'
with reciprocity with nations on @Nc''S
,,,n,cb cannot be produced IN this couh-
,ry That seems TO be the utmost limit
70 v-hioh the platform will go, ana Wheh
Congress actually assemblies, we shan
nrohahly hear little or nothing at all about
,n.,oes I'm the tariff. Such is the effect
~, ,bo Good work that the Democratic
marty did before it lost its reason ana
swallowed the Populist party and plat
form.
A glance back at the operation OF our
revenue laws reveals some striking facts
When tho Mckinley law was passed II
threw away about 100000 a year IN sugar
taxes. while forcing Americans to buy al
their sugar from the Sugar Trust. 1t re-
duced the revenues OF the country in two
years from s229.00OoO to $l0Co'OOo' with
ont giving the people any relief whatever,
because it added TO the protective duties.
and consequently TO tho prices OF the
necessaries OF life.
Tho Democratic tarir law produced 36'-
1000 moro revenue It's first year than
tho Mckinley law had produced the pre-
ceding year. IN spite Of the fact that the
country was suffering from the depression
brought on by the panic of 1898. 1t pro-
duced Sl2.O00OOJ more in the first eleven
months OF this fiscal year than Mckinney
law did ia the first eleven months of Its OPP
Grafton. though the depression conse-
quent upon tho panic has been intensified.
This shows that lower duties may produce
greater revenues by causing larger pur-
chases Of imported articles. The Cow
eminent has run behind during the opera
ton Of the Democratic tariff. 1t IS true.
but that was because the revenue ex-
pecied from the income tax was cut off
by the decision Of the Supreme Court Of
tho United States. These facts have
made their impression upon the public
mind. and. when added TO the blessing Of
lower prices which the people have now
TASTED, under the Democratic tariff. the
country gets security that we are going
to have 10 more of McKinleys high pro-
teciive duties.
Even Andrew Carnegie, the great high
priest Of high protection, seems TO have
abandoned tho idea. lie has an article
In the current number Of the North
American Review upon the general state
Of the country which s'full Of good sense
so long as he confines himself TO q dis
cussion of finance. Upon tariff he has
come down 10 this-says he:
THE country has been shaken by a
violent change in its fiscal system and
duties, and duties upon imports no longer
produce sufficient revenue. because duties
have been lessenod upon the Injuries Of the
rich. and the al valOrem system subsutut-
| ed for the specific opens the door so wide
| 10 frauds upon the revenue through under
valuations. that the Government does not
receive more than two-thirds of the duties
IL protends 10 levy"
Now. short time back this was
the roaring lion Of protection. He comes
down now to a squeak for unequal taxes
upon the rich and change from the al
valorem system of duties to the specific.
This is a mighty change indeed.
We do not regard the question Of ad va
loren or specific duties as one Of verygreat
moment. If the change were made TO
the specific duties; they could Of course be
| imposed with reference to the ad valorem
| principle. But we shall never agree 70
Mr.. Carnegie's proposition to raise our
revenues out Of the rich by burdens i'm
| posed especially upon them. The rich
| have no greater rights in this Government
than the poor. All American citizens have
the same interest in this Government
All have the same right to its protection.
and all are TO contribute TO It's support
according TO one rate. We don't pro-
pose to have laws bearing in one way
upon one set of men and in another way
upon another set. our laws are TO bear
in the same way upon all
Oh; that the Democratic party had re-
NAMED tho Democratic party ana had
| let Populism alone.