The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-07-22
RECENT TARIFF LEGISLATION.
The Morrill, Tariffs and their Many Notifications
Commission Bill of 1883 Sharp Contest Over Failure
The Untried Mckinley B-The Wilson Fasco-The Dingey
Bill-Rest at Last
Bill-Rest at Last


| tariff There were many incidents in the
period alluded to extremely interesting to those
who desire to become familiar with the politi-
cal and financial history of the country. and to
such we would recommend that they investi.
gate specially the occurrences connected with
the change Of front on the tariff question by
John c. Calhoun and Daniel Webster respect
| lively, the struggle with South Carolina in 1882
and the compromise tariff, which resulted in
the pacifcation of the heated passions of the
time; the effort to secure protection for Ameri-
can wool during Jackson's Administration. and
subsequently the contest between Congress and
President Tyler over the bill of 1912.
Each of these subjects presents SO many
phases of Importance that an entire article
mil ht we'll he devoted to is discussion had we
space. Having reached the war period, how
ever, in our cnrsory examination of the subject
of tariff legislation, we will pass directly to the
matter in hand.
1t should be borne in mind that although the
country was profoundly agitated in 1860 over
the struggle for Kansas, the bred Scott decision,
involving the Fugitive Slave Law, and kindred
topics, the tariff was vital issue with most
important results that year. The Chicago plat
form of 1SG0 contained declaration in favor
of protection, which fact, in all probability,
actually effected the election of Abraham Lin
coin rs President. Mr. Blaine in his Twenty
years in Congress-" points out that popular
opinion in Pennsylvania was in such condition
that the recognition of tile protective system by
the Republican convention in 1860 enabled that
party to carry the State in the October election,
without which, in his opinion, Indiana, New
Jersey, Oregon and California would undoubt-
eddy have been lost to Mr.. Lincoln in Novem-
Der, and Stephen A. Douglas would have been
elected President of the United States.
The stupendous consequences which followed
have done much 20 obiiterate the recollection of
these conditions and has resulted probably in
minimizing the actual effect of the tariff as an
issue in the campaign Of 1860. Certain it is
however, that the Union army did not enter
the war, either avowedly or with mental res
ervaton, to fight for the abolition Of slavery.
This result was incidental and followed later
TIE war, however, brought with it tremend-
Gus necessities, and the result was the adoption
of a series Of protective tariffs which never
could he secured in times of peace, and under
which the country grew in population, wealth
and Importance in quarter of a century as no
other Nation in all the annals of history
From 1861 to 1888, Inclusive or the period
which actually covers the war tariffs, we had
no less than al different laws relating to the
sui jsct. Most Of them were brief, however
and of little Importance; but seven of them
were of vital consequence first in bringing in
money and then in reducing the surplus rev.
enue, and in other ways having far reaching
effect upon the industrial system Of the
country
The first of the so-called "Morrill Tariffs :"
was passed March 9. 1861. This bill was avow-
eddy protective, as well as a revenue measure.
1t substituted specific for ad valorem duties and
advanced tho rates on iron and wool. Another
important measure passed i'll July, 1862, in
which duties were iucreas under the leader
ship of Messrs. Morrill, and Thad. Stevens,
further advancing duties imposed on manu-.
features of iron, steel, leather. paper and other
staples.
As the war drew toward close the Govern
ment not only found its current expenses enor-
mously increased, but also the bonded debt had
grown to tremendous proportions, with an an
nual interest charge that was appalling. In the
the face Of these conditions Mr.. Morrill,, Chair
man of the Committee on Ways and Means,
brought forward the three acts Of June 30 1864;
the first of which was to provide for an enormous
extension of the internal revenue system. the
second a corresponding increase of duties,
while the third called for loan of $500 600, 900.
There was very little quibbling in those days
among the determined men who had the
financial legislation Of the Government in
hand. The tariff for protection in fact became
rather an incident. What the Government
needed was money, and those in power reached
out and taxed every thing in sight. The coun-
try groaned but stood it, aud what was strange,
seemed to thrive and to lay more securely the
foundations of great fortunes, while the masses
accumulated wealth with one hand when pay
ing taxes with the other.
The tariff legislation Of 1869, 1870, 1872, and
1875 did not attract much public attention,
because the mind of the people was still d.
rected toward the South and the consequences
of tile great struggle Of the rebellion. The
people had learned to talk about Constitutional
Amendments, Reconstruction, Civil Rights, the
Parity of the Ballot, etc. 1t was not until the
campaign of 1880 that an effort was again made
to elect Congress upon the tariff issue and in
point of fact tho result was failure, because
while the Republican party made vigorous
effort to bring the subject to the front, they
failed to join issue with their opponents on
the question. The tariff had indeed become q
Renaissance, aud the public mind must again
be instructed and taught to discuss the doc
trines of Clay, Webster and Benton and the
issues which for generation had been dor.
mant in popular estimation.
1t will be remembered that the Republicans
barely secured majority of the 47th Congress-
which came in with the Garfield Arthur Adj
ministration. President Arthur, while repre-.
senting the protective tariff as a National issue
had not been elected President and, although
protectionist, was in favor of lowering ex.
listing duties. He thought that the war tariffs,
which had received no radical or general re-
vision, should be oyerhauled, and therefore
recommended the appointment of a commits
sion, who should examine the subject and
report to Congress bill covering changed
conditions.
This proposition met with good deal of op-
position, and among others who opposed it in
the House was Maj Mckinley. He considered
the proposition to delegate the duty of revising
the tariff to commission to be hazardous.
maintaining that this duty was conffded by
the Constitution to Congress ITSELF The bill
President Arthur appointed it with John l..