The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-19
WHAT THE WILSON TARIFF HAS
nnNE


The most enthusiastic protectionist
must pause and reflect I'm the face Of tho
export and import figures for 1896. Ex-
ports Of merchandise reached the an
precedented total OF Sl.OOjOoO 900. This is
a gain Of sisO.O0O.oOO over 1895. on The
other hand, imports Of merchandise for
1895 amounted to only $3.50 100000. a falling
off of si20OOJO0O as compared with $50.
The balance Of trade in our favor for
1896. IS sos 600 900. a record never before
equalod. To add 10 the inspiration OF
these figures. gold imports exceeded ef'
ports over Si6O0oOO0.
The New York Mail and Express, isclf
n high protective organ, does not
hesitate TO speak ia the most chtl us;as-
tic terms Of this exhibit. and in Satur-
days issue it has an article on me blsi-
ness Of the country, which is introduc u
as follows:
IAN event Of ovorshadowing inportu ce
during the week was the publication CT
the government statistics of the -0c iisn
commerce of the United States FOR Il g
calendar year 1896. The figures sho" IN
excess Of exports over imports OF lio-
duce and merchandise in the ln2rece-
donted sum of So. 322. 1S4. against $25.lsO.-
$50 i'm 1895 While this excess OF exp l:ts
was due in a measure 20 decreased I'M
ports it was largely the result oil an en-
ormous gain i'm the outward movement
of our. products and manufacturers. The
increase i'm the latter during 1876 Wda
very pronounced and extended 10 great
or variety than ever before OF the COM
modities manufactured by the cOih1fy.
This is really a matter of vital sisnlh-
cameo i'm its relations TO the pros 3erity
of the nation. and should bc haicd "''A
much satisfaction. The foreign e'm-
mcrce figures plainly indicate Dot ire
usual spring outflow Of gold is HNeiy 10
be delayed, If not altogether stopped
Now. then. it can be said for the VII
son tariff that it has resulted IN largely
increasing our exports and at the same
time the imports oc merchandise ere
less than they were under the Mckmi ~
tariff. The country has not been flood
Cd with goods made by pauper labor as
nrotoctionists predicted, and 30 has been
demonstrated that the industries of this
country can compete successfully with
those of the outside world without the
aid of high protective tariff. il can
he said. moreover. for the Wilson tariff.
that it, has fulfilled the promise of its
advoAtcs in chcapening the cost of the
noccessiues Of life. Goods were never
cheaper in this country than they are
to-day. and the poor mans dollar never
would buy so much as it will buy to-
day.
What then is 10 be said against tho
Wilson tariff? Simply that it does not
nroduce sufficient revenue to meet the
expenses OF the government For our
part we would meet this deficiency first
bv curtaiing expenses Of government
and then limiting greatly or absolutely
abolishing. the free list. Leave the Will
SON bin as It il. That were
the sensible thing to do, and that
is what every prudent business man
would do under similar circumstances.
But we have no hope Of that II is very
certain that Congress is not going TO cut
down expenses. The only thing left
TO be done. therefore. is TO change the
tariff bill in such a way as 20 make it
produce more revenue. But this can be
done without any sweeping changes i'm
that measure. There are various ways
of increasing the revenue by placing a
duty on the free articles. ana We have no
doubt that Congressman Wilson could
take his own bin and with a few strokes
Of the pen here and there so revise IL as
10 make it produce an abundance OF
revenue.
But that is the least Of an considera-
tons with the tariff thinkers. They iusu-
~ themselves by saying that the govern
ment must have more revenue: but rov-
onue IS not what they are after. What
they want and what We fear they are
going to have is more protection tina;
Will benefit a few at the expense Of the
many.
This country needs a reform of its cur
roncy. and a rest from tariff agitation.
But instead Of that it would seem that
tho currency question IS 20 be left Ia
shift for itself while the business OF
the country is 70 be further agitated by
q Encouragement of the tariff schedules.