The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-03
CANADA's NEW TARIFF.
A Measure Meant to Influence United
States Legislation.
Advertiser,

New York Commercial Advertiser.
The new tariff which the Liberal govern
ment has introduced in the Ottawa Parlia-
ment is plainly an attempt to browbeat
Congress into granting special 1aVors ana
concessions to Canada. Inc oll IS lntro-
duced at a time when the details OF the
Dingley bill are still unsettled, and 1t con-
tains provisions for preferential duties eX-
pressly for the benefit of Great Britain at
the expense Of the United States. Indeed,
Mr.. Fielding, minister of finance, who sub
mitted the proposed tariff, makes no con-
cealment as to the object of that measure.
He practically aVoWed that the main pur-
pose in view was the hope of bringing the
United States to terms. II congress Goes
not vigorously resent this Foreign attempt
to dictate American legislation 1t Will de-
serve the general Reproduction that would be
certain to be heaped upon 1t.
Canada is eager to obtain Tree enIry INTO
the United States for what she terms
natural products" namely, farm pfoductS,
fish, lumber and minerals, ana IN return she
is willing to grant reciprocity in certain
manufactures 1t requires only a glance TO
show how jug-handled such an arrangement
would be. Aside from the fact that Canada
would admit no American manufacture
which would seriously compete with her
own, she represents a market OF on!y
5000, 600 people, not q few Of them consist
ing of Indians and farmers living in remote
districts. On the other hand, she would
have free access for her natural proaIctS
to the most desirable market on the globe,
a market made up Of 7~0,0OO,00O intelligent
people. But even If conditions We're not
SO unequal the proposition would sun
products" of Canada to come into TINS
Country free would be a base surrender Of
the interests of American producers or
natural products" to the interests of for
eign rivals. 1t would constitute a shame
less betrayal of American farmers, lumber
men, miners and fishermen and a perhdlouS
reputation of the distinct pledges of the
Republican national platform. Any such
action is, of course, out Of the question.
speaking on the subject of reciprocity, in
his letter of acceptance, Mr.. Mckinley said;
1T is to afford new markets for our surplus
agricultural and manufactured products,
without loss to the American laborer of a
single days work that he might otherwise
procure" This is the platform of every
consistent protectionist, and it will un-
doubtedly be firmly maintained in the Ding
ley tariff.
No one is anxious to shut out absolutely
Canadian products. natural or otherwise.
There is no intention on the part Of Con-
gress to impose prohibitQry duties upon i'm
ports Of any character. There are certain
classes Of Canadian imports upon which
even moderately high duties might be un-
wise. If such duties should result i'm Grip
ping any important American industry it
assuredly would be unjust to impose them.
But, under all circumstances, and in every
case, the principle of protection must be
resolutely upheld. If the Dominion should
thereby suffer, il should be
that we are under no obligations to legis-
late in her behalf, and that the injury that
might accrue to her would be one of the
penalties she has to endure for preferring
the shelter of the British flag TO that of
"Old Glory"