Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1896-12-18

prices of their products. Price, as we
have before observed, is the grea.
distributor of property. But prices are
regulated absolutely, other things being
equal, by the amount of money in circu-
lation, which is another way of stating
that they are regulated by the amount
of money in circulation. Then of course
that amount will be increased, these
prices made adequate, and the prosperity
of the country be regained. Not so fast.
This would be done, but the greed of the
world will not suffer it. The ignorance
of the world, where dominated by greed,
is unable to accomplish it, Folly of all
kind stands in its way. And yet we be-
lieve that it will be done as our people
become convinced that it is the proper
thing to do.
The tariff has been suggested as a
remedy for the present evils. A tariff
has certain quality of distributing
money, through its effect upon price.
1t takes from one and gives to
another. 1t may under certain circum-
stances increase the business of COM
munity. 1t might indirectly increase
the volume of money in a certain neigh
borhood or country, by preventing
money going out of that neighborhood
or that country. 1t would, probably,
generally interfere as much with money
coming in as with that going out, that is,
it would interfere with exports as much
as with imports. For instance, should
there be a tariff placed on wool, the
necessary increased cost of wooden goods
manufactured by the nation enacting
this duty, might and unquestionably often
would be prohibitory of foreign sale. But
suppOsing this not so, or supposing the ad-
yantages of tariff to be greater than
its disadvantages; that it would detain
money from going out; that it would
increase business at home and slow
ly improve prices, it would then act in
the nature of remedy, and if the people
want to try it, all right. Let us have an
extra session OF congress as soon as Mr..
McKinley's term begins. Let the best judy
ment of those who believe in this tariff
cure pass such a law as they think will
greater distribution OF wealth and the
general prosperity of the country, when
we will await the result. Should such
prosperity come, it is all any one
war is in this direction and will be
satisfactory to the people. But when
one considers that we already have
on many things, if not most, as high
a tariff as can well be passed, and when
in addition to this it is remembered that
the value of lands and their products
sunk rapidly at the time when we had
the highest protective tariff, all will see
that the prospect ahead of general pros
perity from a change of tariff is not
bright. We believe it to be utterly hope
less; still, as great many people voted
for it and want to try it, it should be
tried. 1t is the only remedy offered by
the republican party, except to wait I'M
til foreign nations will assist us, and
should be tried and as promptly as pos
sible if for no other reason so that Its
efficacy can be tested, and if found use
less or inadequate the people may turr
to another and sufficient remedy.
1t is very noticeable at the present time
that the straight gold standard support
ers do not want any extra session, mol
the tariff cure. What they want is {
further reduction of the currency by
the withdrawal of the gTeenbacks anC
treasury notes and to accomplish this
they would issue $6O0,000,000 more o.
bonds, which they would proceed i'm
medately to lap up, gorging themselves
on this new feast of riches. w
believe it is safe to say that the re
publican party will not permit this, arc
| we believe, too, it is safe to say tina
Major Mckinley will have his extra ses
sion and give us his tariff cure