davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-02-20
AMERICAN TARIFF
FROM 1880 TO 1897.
ABrief History of the Tariff Laws of the United
States and Their Effect Upon the
Industries of Her People,
SOME TIMELY And INTERESTING INF0RMA TI0N
Comparative Effect of the Protective and Free Trade
Principles, Tested in the History
of This Country.
some TIMELY and INTERESTING INFORMATION

tain ports. The result was that while
the tariff duties collected averaged from
~ per cent to D per cent. of the value
of goods imported they We're collected by
all sorts of methods, at some ports no
duties were collected at all, and the in
dustrIes of the country were PROSTATE,
the people idle and poor, money scarce
and of uncertain value. This condition
resulted in dissatisfaction, riots, threats
of return to a monarchical government,
lack of revenue for the general govern
ment and demand upon the part of the
most thoughtful citizens for closer
union and a system which would protect
manufactures among them.
1889 TO 1915.
The first subject discussed by the First
Congress under the constitution was the
tariff question A large majority of the
saw the necessity of encouraging and
protecting manufacturing industries of
that character, beginning with 1879, so
that they might be free from dependence
upon foreign nations for farming imple-
ments, machinery, clothing and arms for
their protection and absolute indepen-
dence and at the same time make Ii home
market for their products. The result
was the adoption of Il tariff whose pre-
amble recognized the protecting theory in
the following words: Whereas il is
necessary for the support of the govern
ment, for the discharge of the debts of
the United States, and for the encourage
that duties be laid ON imported goods
ETC., therefore be it enacted, etc. This
tariff was discussed and supported by the
leading men in the early history of the
government and President Washington
in his first annual message, said, in
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-02-20

ments with food and clothing. This was
so apparent that President Madison, in
q special message to Congress, urged "the
deliberate consideration of the means to
preserve and promote the manufactures
which have sprung into existence and OBJ
tanned an unparalleled maturity through
out the United States"
The tariff during the above period was
collected in part by the specific and part
by the ad valorem method, but averaged
probably about 20 per cent. of the value
of the articles upon which it was placed,
though that of the first tariff was much
lower than this
1916 to 1924.
The free trade theory took possession
of the public mind in 1916. 1t was an
other case similar to that which the pres
ent generation has witnessed, when the
people of the United States in the pros
porous year of 1892 decided to adopt free
trade. The result in 1916 was similar
to that of 1892. The tariff was trans
ferred to articles not produced in the
United States and was what is COM
other words. was adjusted merely to pro-
duce revenue and not to protect home
Industries. The result was great de-
struction of industries; llbor idle; great
distress sheriff sales In great numbers
throughout the country: high prices for
manufactured goods, low prices for
American farm products; deficit in the
revenues. debt-creating period. Balance
of trade against us, money of the coun-
! Try contracted from S110, 900, 900 to S45,-
900. 900; great reduction in the value of
| taxable property
Benton gives this pictures of the times;
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-02-20
BUSINESS MOVES ON.
The Recent Bank Failures Were Local
Incidents Due to Bad Management.
Telegranh Dem
Macon eGaD Tefegrap


In spite of the recent bank failures
ONT in the West, precipitated by the
crO0kedness of bank officials, and in
snite of the joyful demonstrations in
f3ulced in over the fall of those institu-
tions by calamity howlers, there are I'M
mistake BILE evidences on every hand of a
gradual return to better times
bout a month ago the Smith Carpet
mills employing about $500 hands, shut
down. 1t was a signal for burst of en-
thusiasm in calamity bowling circles.
The Atlanta Constitution got on its toes
and ''cut the pigeon wing, winning
great applause from the gallery gods of
its sweet set. A few days ago this same
Garnet mill, at Yonkers, n. Y started
ND again in all its branches, putting
1000 hands at work-just double the
number thrown out month ago.
the great Lowell and Amsterdam Cotton
mills opened with 5000 hands. The Ma
tionaI India Rubber works at Bristol,
Rhode Island; the Standard Cordage
company at Benton, the Liberty Cycle
company at Bridgeport, Conn.,, and
works at Pittsburg, Pa, renewed opera
tons on the same day, employing thou
sands of hands
These are some of the main manufact-
uriue plants of the country that are
now vibrating with new life and yigor
concerns are daily reported from all over
the country
These things show an increasing de-
mand which, of course, comes from an
increasing consumption They show that
conditions are right for permanent re-
yivaI of business, if bad legislation or a
fool crusade does not stand in the way.
The people who would, at this time,
drag the country into war ought to have
guardians appointed.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-02-20

speaking of our nation as a free retple
Their safety and interests require that
they promote such manufactures As tend
to render them independent of others for
essentials. In his last annual message
he said, Congress has repeatedly and
not without success, directed their item
ton to the encouragement of manu-
factures." Other Presidents who followed
him, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and
Monroe, also recognized and commended
the importance of the protective tariff
system. The tariff of 1889 was not ma
terially changed until 1912, when the
war with Great Britain required addi-
tional funds and the tariff rates Were
then nearly doubled.
The immediate effect of the tariff of
1883, based upon the protection theory,
was prosperity in agriculture and Won
derful increase in commerce and revival
of old industries and the creation of new
ones, the multiplication of our merchant
marine, the raising of a sufficient rev.
enue to pay the expenses of the govern
ment and give relief to it's creditors and
create contentment and industries among
the people generally. The increase of
the duties in 1872 was followed by an
enormous increase in the manufacturing
industries of the country, due m some
degree to the fact that England ceased
to export to the United States during the
war period, and also the improvement in
the manufactures and consequent en-
ployment of those supplying the en-
ployes of the manufacturing establish
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-02-20
BRYAN'S 1900 PLATFORM.
He and Gov. AltgeId Want to Repeat the
Campaign of 1896 in 1900.


Campaign of 1896 in 1900.
CMacon, Ca, Telegraph, Dem)
Mr.. Bryan's speech at the Jackson
Day banquet in Chicago was in line
defeat in November. He purposes, if
his own efforts will bring it about, to
have the Chicago platform of 1896 re-
at ad by the so sna1
during the evening, it may be taken for
granted that Mr.. Bryan will not object
to the reatfirmation of the free riot as
well as the free silver plank. He be
ieves the Democratic party must make
free silver its single issue; second, that
he will remain with it only so long as
will abandon the party as he said a
year ago he would do, if it should
change its mind and declare for the
gold standard. In other words. Il,
Bryan. am the Democracy" as a
sovereign of France once remarked:
''I am the state The cool effrontery
ity of his belief that his word and his
wish should be the rule of the party,
and his superlative egotism were never
more sharply manifested. And yet it
the, Democratic ranks to fight under
the. banner of Weaver, the greenbacker
and R,,a PeRulist G suppSse free en,d silver Mr
Bryan advise that the Democratic par
ty take UP next; OF, if it should be de-
feated, in what direction would he steer
pose Mr. Bryan should die in the
Mountaineering would the Democratic
party do, not knowing his wishes as to
''another issue?" AS he has put himself
in the place of Jefferson and Jackson
he ought not to delay in preparing n
chart for the future 1t is too risky. a
thing for the party to hang its dest1mes
upon the life CT am individual upon
a single ISSUE.
But the part Of his speech which was
most impressive was that in which he
felicitated his wershipers upon the fail
ure of sixteen banks since the election
The fact that 10000 other banks are
continuing to do business and declaring
dividends was calmly ignored, for he had
found one of these banks which failed
because of Inability to realize upon its
assets" Upon this he dweH with great
joy. All of Bryan's addresses are
marked by this trick of the efema gegue-
generalization from exceptions He sets
up straw men to knock them down and
is content if the groundIIngs laugh,
though the judicious grieve- But in do
ing these things he exposes himself as
an implac ca BILE and vicious enemy of in
dustrial and commercial peace His at
titude is the same as that of the Anar-
cbiSf
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-02-20
am in favor of a protective
tariff and internal improvements
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
..sss.:9s...s...s.sssas.s.s9s9eas

to collect a specified sum for each pound
or yard or given quantity of each article
coming in. To illustrate, under the ad
valorem system of the present law the
gate of duty collected on cattle above one
year old, is 20 cents ad valorem or 20
per cent. of the value named by the inn
porters or determined at the custom
house Under the specific rate of the Nc
kinley law the tariff collected on the
same class of animals was SO per head.
On grindstones the present law collects
duty of 10 per cent. ad valorem or 10 per
cent of such valuation as may be named
by the importers or fixed by the custom
law collected a rate of S1.I5 per ton. The
ad valorem system has proven unkatis-
factory, because INSCRIPTIONS persons i'm
porting goods would name as their value
a sum very much less than their real
worth and thus make the amount of duty
which they must pay very much less than
of duty on cattle, indicated above, is
under the present law, 20 per cent. ad
rvalorem, but by fixing the nominal value
of cattle imported at Sc or SO per- head.
the person importing them would only be
compelled to pay duty of from $1-20 to
$500 on each animal, while the specific
icy law, applied no matter how low a
Valuation the importers might choose to
name. 1t is generally admitted by the
treasury department and the customs Off
GERS that losses to the government by
reason of under valuation on articles inn
ported under the specific duties of the
&nent from $50. 000, OO0-t to $4,000, GOO pei
annum in tariff taxes which should have
been paid had importers been honest III
giving proper valuation of their goods
With this brief explanation of the tar
IF idea and the systems of its enforce
sment, it will be interesting, now tha
the country is about to adopt a new tar
ST, to state briefly the tariff history o.
the United States.
Prior 1889.
Prior to the adoption of the constitu
zion no tariff taxes were collected hy tn
general government. Under the confed
GRAFTON, the states. jealous of their owl
rights, were unwilling to give to the gen
eral government the control of thei
ports and the raising of revenues on AZ
ticles coming into the states Each stat
therefore fixed its own tariff rates. som
of them seeking to gain an advantag
over the others by allowing goods t
come in without taxation and some levie
NO tariff taxes on goods coming into Gel
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-02-20
TWO KINDS OF DEMOCRATS.
The Bryan-Altgeld Section is Recruiting
Its Forces from the Penite ntiarisS.
fExchange)

Its Eeree. from the Penitentiariss.
(Exchange)
There are two sorts of Democrats, and
their differences are SO radical they are
irrecoacilab BILE. The question is, which is
to be in charge of the ancient name and
discipline of the party? AS for principle,
that is q matter sthat must be mixed up
in the processes of getting together or
There will be but two important par
ties in this country. Two great political
ORGANIZATIONS are almost a part of our
constitution-certainly a doubIe-headed
feature of our unwritten law that assists
in the Interpretation and administration of
the fundamental written law
Mr. Bryan has been trying to talk
enough to keep himself at the front, and
at least in the attitude of the giver of
doctrine, but his speeches have been
empty. He has attempted to resuscitate
the silver mania, and he clings to that
and mutters ''bimetaflism, but this is
his feebleness. and the secondary form of
it. at last He tried at the close of the
presidential campaign to arouse the mob
spirit His preaching was simply sedi-
tious snd the people did not fo.iow him.
Between his silly proclamation, show
ing how scathed he was by his defeat,
and his rush to Denver to lift up his
voice and hear a few cheers and his
hook of the campaign. one-half the net
proceeds to be devoted to "bimetallism,
and his failure as lecturer. he has
wasted the force that silence might have
held. His Etterances have been weak
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-02-20

followed by great panic, failures of
banks and commercial houses. almost
total destruction of American industry;
poor prices for farm products, high prices
for foreign manufactured goods. little
employment, low wages, souphouses
opened to feed the idle. workmen. Bank
ruptcy wildcat state bank failures, al
most total disappearance of the circulat-
ing medium; in the value of American
securities. debt-creating period; little
gold or silver left in the country.
From this time to 1861, when the pro-
tective tariff was enacted by the Repub-
Iicans the public debt increased nearly
SAG, zoo, 900, and the expenditures ex-
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-02-20

Washington, D. c., January, 1897
Congress being apcat 70 enact new tar
IF law, brief histor, of the tariff legis-
Iation in the United States from the
adoption of the constitution down to the
present time, may be of interest
A tariff under the general accepta-
ton of the term in political economy, is a
tax levied upon goods coming into coun-
try from other parts of the world. The
theory upon which governments claim the
right to tax al ticles brought in from
afcoad is that ii persons from outside of
the country government desire to en-
10y the benefits of trade with the people
of that government they ought to con-
tribute in some degree to its support. All
citizens and business interests of a state
or government are expected and required
TO- directly or indirectly, contribute to
the support of the government and it
would be injustice to those contributing
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-02-20

There is no country in the
world where individual enter
prise has such wide and varied 8
range, and wherein the invent
i've genius of man has such en-
enlargement. {
WILLIAM MCKINLEY. s
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-22

the question. The report is going the
rounds that the whole affair was produce
tive of results indicating a big Armour
Letter combine. In many Kinds this ru-
NOR was given credence. The manipuIa-
tion of the local market by Letter agents
pulling the wires from the Liverpool end
was recited over and over. This idea,
however, is ridiculed by the majority or
traders.
Some members of the board say that
Letter has secured 100000 bushels Of the
cereal. Others place the figures az high
as 15.000,0 600 while the more conservative
are willing to admit that half the latter
amount is nearer the correct estimate.
Mr.. Letter asserts that just as much OF
this will go abroad the foreign mar
ket calls for If they paw him his price,
Some folks on the board think I can'E
transport grain eastward by rail without
loss, do they?" said Mr.. Letter. "WeIl.
possibly they can't, but I'm willing to
play out my end OF the game along my
own lines and I may differ with these
prophets eonsdera bly,"
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-22
MORE DOCKS ARE NEEDED
MATTER TO BE TAKEN UP BY CON-
GRESS AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.
Floating Docks May he Substituted for
Fixed Docks in some Localities.
Will BE Made of steel.

Washington, Dec. Ex-senator Hale,
chairman of the senate committee on
naval affairs, was IN conference to-day
with Secretary Long, with reference to
the proposed legislation for increasing
the docking facilities of the country
The conference related especially to the
advisability of substituting floating for
liked docks al some points where docks
are contemplated. There are some
places where docks are considered un-
desirable. but at which steadfast struc-
lures are not believed to be practical
Algiers, La, is one of these points, and
II is practically decided that If any dock
Is placed there il will be floating one
made of steel.
The estimates of the navy department
so far as made are favorable to the
steel structure on the point of economy,
but all the figures have not been COM
pleted. Senator Hale said after leaving
the department that the general dock
question would be taken up In earnest
by the congressional committee after
the holidays, and he expressed conf
dence that legislation on the general
lines Of the departments would be se-
cured during the present session. He
thinks that the continuing contract sys-
TEN Will be adopted in preparing for the
work, so that the immediate appropria-
tion required will not be comparatively
large.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-22
A HOSTILE POLICY.
France in Retaliation Increases the
Duties on American Hog Products.
VIII hes, rIct Trade.


Washington. Dec. 21.-The action of
the French chamber of deputies yester-
day in passing a government bill in
creasing the duties on hogs, hog pro-
duets, lard, etc, is regarded as retalia-
tory in effect against the United States.
For some time negotiations have been
proceeding between France and this
country toward making reciprocity
agreement. They came to a stop re-
Gently when the authorities here asked
as condition of such an agreement that
France would raise its restrictions
against American cattle and meat pro-
ducts. The French ambassador NJ.
Patenotre, communicated with his gov
ernment, but no reply was given He
was soon after directed to return to
Paris, where he Is now in conference
with the French authorities. No word
has been received as to the purpose
of France since the ambassador left. but
the action in the chamber of deputies
yesterday, with its increase of duties on
certain meat products, which was put
through by the premier, NJ. Meline, leads
to the conclusion that the French policy
Will not be toward abolishing the re-
strietions, but toward increasing their
Stringency.
The figures of the foreign bureau of
the agricultural department show that
the American shipments to France on
the one article of lard reached 81 ,213, ,342
pounds last year. Ii is not thought that
the bill was expressly aimed against
the United States, as 1t covers some pro-
ducts which are not shipped from this
country TO France. In the particulars
--2ntoned, however. its effect will be to
further restrict the American meat
trade. In view af this action little hope
is entertained that France will grant
the condition on which IA reciprocity
agreement between the two countries
depends. 1t was announced from the
chamber Of deputies in behalf of the
government that a supplementary bill
would be presented to restrict the intro
duction of adulterated hog products. 1t
is the understanding here that this will
operate particularly against such lards
going from this country as are made
out of the cottonseed oil
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-22
A STARTLING CONFESSION
ELIZABETH DEKALB TELLS THE TALE
OF THE CONSPIRACY.
Plans We're Made to XIII Kaiser,s Wife
by Chioroform and Then Set
Fire to the Bed.

Norristown, Pa. Dec. 2f.-The hear
ing of Charles clemmer and Elizabeth
X. Dekalb, the alleged accompIices or
Charles @. kiser, in the murder Of his
wife, Emma F.. Kaiser, Oct 10. 1896.
took place before Magistrate lie Handt.
to-day. Mrs. Kaiser was shot while
riding with her husband on a lonely
road near here. The alleged motive OF
the crime was to secure $4,000 insur-
ance on her life. Kaiser has been SEN
fenced to death.
Miss DeKalb. the notorious woman i'm
black. went on the stand and told the
story of her life and the plans of the
conspiracy. Her story was Of start
ling nature and most damaging to
clemmer. She told of plan which
Clemmer and Kaiser had agreed upon
for getting Mrs. Kaiser out of the way
This was to chloroform the woman and
then set fire TO the bed. This plan. she
said, was not carried out because Kali
ser lost his nerve.
1t is believed the commonwealth will
allow her TO enter a plea of accessory
after the facts have been brought to
light. 1t was thought to be impossible
to convict Clemmer without Miss De-
kalb's evidence. hence the abandon
ment of the original intention to prose-
cute both as principals.
Upon conclusion of Miss Dekalb's tesl
timony Clemmer was committed for
trial at the March term of court.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-22
AMERICAN SAILORS KILLED.
The United States Government Will Inc
vestigate and VIII Endeayor 10
Secure lsenarafion.

Washington, Dec. H.-The department
of state has undertaken an invest. CATION
of two very disagreeabIe incidents that
may contain in themselves the germs or
serious trouble in the near future These
are the killing by Japanese Of two sailors
attached to the United States fleet on
the Asiatic station. The exact conditions
under which the killing occurred are not
now known here and the state depart-
ment is trying to learn through the Unit
ed States consuls in Japan. preliminary
to determining what steps shall be taken
to secure reparation. il it shall be found
that the killing was as is expected, un-
justifable.
The first killing was OF a sailor named
Montgomery, formerly attached to the
Yorktown. while she was on the Asiatic
station. and the last was that OF Frank
Ephs, a sailor, native of New York, and
an apprentice on the flagship Olympia
He was killed at Nagasakl. The officials
here have been advised of the bare facts
only. but following SO closely on the ter
rible assault at Kobe last September OF
Japanese mob upon the sailors of the
yorktown, these killings have aroused
them TO determination to secure repar-
alton for our sailors in Japanese ports.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-22
HE DID NOT SEE 1T.
Governor Smith Found No Indications of
Returning Prosperity During
His Stay in the East.

Special Dispatch to the Standard.
Helena, Dec. 21.-"Times may be better
in the East, but / met with no mprss s.
sive indications to that effect" said Gov
ernor Smith, who returned to-day from
the national capital after an absence of
three weeks. while did not make any
effort to ascertain If there was an M
provement l met many who certainly
would have told me had such been the
case. 1t depends great deal upon the
man with whom you talk. One might tell
you that times We're great deal better
while another would say that they We're
far from good. / know one thing certain
and that is that no one can tell you what
this congress is going to do. 1t is some
thing of a guess to predict just what VIII
be done on the currency question or IN
regard to Cuban matters or several of the
other matters before congress"
The governor said that he went East
for the purpose of appearing before the
supreme court in an argument upon the
Blue Rock-Niagara case and devoted his
time and energy to that matter He ap-
peared for the plaintiffs in error and j.
w. Forbis for the other side. While the
supreme court did not make any an
nouncement to that effect an early de-
cision is expected. The governor says that
he had a pleasant time in the East, bat
he is glad to get back to Montana again.