The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-06-28

Editor Constitutional seems to De
mooted question just now with our party
leaders as to what is the true tariff stand
ard by which democracy shall be meas
ured.
Under the circumstances. the following
compilation may be Ct interest. and posi-
bly, instructive to the rank and file of the
party who arc watching the discussion
though probably It may only serve to con-
found confusion--be that as it may.the COM
piation is a record of the party on the
tariff question, and from this record con-
illusions may be drawn.
The first tariff legislation ever had, or
rather attempted in this country. was by
the provisional congress, in 17S6-one hur-
drCd and eleven years ago-when cor sress
asked the states to amend the articles or
confederation, so as to intrust tn con-
gross the collection OF a revenue from I'm
ports" The amendment was agreed to by
an the states in the confedera!ioA oN-
cepting New York-hence failure OF meas
urc.
In i7S9 after the adoption of the federal
constitution, the first congress In extra SEES
sion passed a tariff act" which was APP
proved by President George Washington.
on July L. 17S9. The preamble to this tariit
act stated one of its objects to be tine
cncoura cement and protection Of manuiac-
lures" The congress which passed THIS
first tariff act was composed of, in the SEN
ate twenty-siX iederalists and no demo-
Gratis. and In the house iifty-threc federal
lists and twelve democrats.
In 1902 the seventh congress, composed or
thirteen federalsts and nineteen demo-
Gratis in the senate. with thirty-four feder-
alists and scvcnty-one democrats i'm the
house. reduced the army the navy, taxes
and duties on Imports" Thomas Jefferson
was president, and these reductions were
made on his recommendation Ia the first
written message sent by president TO
congress.
In 1916 the fourteenth congress, at its first
session, reduced taxes and slight changes
were made I'm the tariff Some indica-
lions appeared during the debate of
growing feeling among the republicans
(who were afterwards called democrats)
that the tariff ought TO be SO arranged as
TO give protection to manufactures, when
had sprung up in America during the war"
of 1872 This congress was divided politi-
cany as follows: Senate. u federalists.
Y democrats; house, 81 federalists. 1l5 dem
ocrats.
In 1913 the fifteenth col Gress at its first
session abolished the internal taxes which
had been imposed during the war of 1872.
and the president, James Monroe, in his
message Recommended protective tariff"
A COMPROMISE Was effected by the pas
sage of Il bill continuing for seven years the
tariff of 1SlG on cottOns and woolens, which
was slightly protective" This congress
was composed Of sixty-seven federalists and
162 democrats.
In 1920 the sixteenth congress a. first Sos
sion considered the tariff. and "a protec-
tive tariff was passed by the house but re-
iected by the senate" In this Congress the
democrats had twenty-siX majority in the
senate and 1903 in the house.
In 1890. at second session, the seventeenth
congress defeated bills designed To in
there
were in the senate seven federaists forty
one democrats; in the house, Htty-cisht
fedcrasts and 100 democrats.
The eighteenth congress met December
!. 1923. and President Monroe in his mes
sage incidentally recommended protcc-
ton" and though the democrats had ma
jorty Of thirty-two in the senate and sixty
nine in the house, the "loose construction
lists" as they were called. were in the mat
iorily. and the tariff of 'S2i was adopted
by very small majoritios." This tariff was
an advance on an preceding tariffs in its
consistent design to exclude foreign com
pctiug goods from American mar1ets.
in 1898 the twertieth congress. With thirty
seven fedcralists and eleven whi'ss in the
senate. and eishty-tive fcdcralists and one
hundred and twenty-eight democrats N
the house passed the protective tariff Of
1888" which gave rise in the sou TO the
notification movement.
with the tariff of 1S2S closes the compll-
alton as TO legislation. and begins the rec
ord Of platform utterances.
The first national democratic cOnvcn-
tion assembled I'm Baltimore on March -.
1872: Andrew Jackson was the nominee for
president. and the first resolution in the
national platform was as follows: "Rcsoiv-
cd. That an adequate protection to Ameri-
can industry is indispensably TO the pros
pcrity of tho country; and that an ahand-
onnent Of the policy, at this period. would
be attended with consequences ruinous to
the best interest Of the ration"
jackson was elected on this platform by
a majority Of 80 electoral votes over Clay,
Floyd and Writ
IL 1896 Martin NanBuren was the demo