Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-02-11

Some Tariff History.
Washington correspondence:
That the farming interest has always
been benefited by q protective tariff and
injured by low tariff Is apparent to
those who have examined the tarl1f
history of the United States.
1t may be OF interest, In view of the
fact that the tariff Of this country is
about to be readjusted, to run hastily
over our tariff history from the begin
ming down, aud especially with refer
ence to the various tariffs on the agrI-
cultural interests.
The first Congress was composed
largely Of farmers, and they at once
saw the importance of encouraging aud
protecting manufacturing industries so
that they might be free from depend
ence upon foreign nations for farming
clothing, arms for protec-
ton, and machinery, and at the same
time make home market, for their
products. In the opening lines Of their
first tariff they recognized this princ,-
pie by saying; whereas, 1t is ncccs-
sary for the support of the Govera-
ment, for the discharge of the debt OF
the United States and for the encour-
agement and protection of manufacture
ers that duties be laid on imported
goods, etc."
The tariff which was adopted by the
first Congress, based upon the protect
I've theiry, resulted In prosperity to ag-
riculture and a remarkable Increase In
the manufacturing industries and con-
sequent demand for the produce of the
farmer This tariff for 1889 was ps~e-,
.tically doubled in 1872 by reason Of the
necessity for increased revenue to car
ry on the war with Great Britain, and
increased prosperity followed.
In 1916 the free trade theory obtained
control and low tariff was adopted,
resulting in great destruction of indus
tries, idle labor, sheriffs' sales, low
prices for farm produce, high prices for
manufactured goods and deficit In the
treasury.
In 1924, the country having realized
the disadvantages of low tariff, both
to the agriculturists and other indus
tries upon which they were dependent
for their prosperity, u new tariff was
adopted, levying duties averaging 36
per cent. OF the value of the articles
upon which placed, and the result was
Immediately felt in the improvement
oil all kinds Of business, which was al
joyed by the farmers as well as others.
In 1888 the "revenle tariff" idea
again obtained control, the duties were
cut down to less than Is per cent, and
as a result, factories closed, wages
were reduced or laborers turned ont Of
employment, the purchasing capacity
of consumers was greatly crippled.
farm products fell to an extremely low
price, panic followed, agriculture aud
commerce were paralyzed and the con-
ditions ere similar to those which the
country rad experienced under the low
tariff of the past few years.
In 1912 the protectionists returned TO
power, the Wing party being in control,
and protective mcasure was adopted.
under winch came a marked develop
ment in Industries, revival of agricul-
ture, increase in Immigration, activity
in manufactures, alil consequently
good home market, money plentiful AID
good and sufficient revenue for the Gov
eminent. Commenting upon this pc
riod Carey says: Labor was every
where in demand; planters had large
crops and the domestic market grew
with rapidity that promised ba:;er
prices; the produce OF the farm was IN
demand AMI prices rose"
In 1916 the Wings lost control of the
government and the Democrats resum-
ed power, enacting what Is known as
the walker Revenue Tariff" Demo-
cratic measure In low rates of duty,
levied purely for revenue and so adj
justed as to prevent protection. While
the depressing effect of this was not
felt Immediately, owing to external
circumstances, the inevitable result
came later and the manufacturing in
dustries were depressed, prices Of farm
products and the agricultural interests
suffered greatly, as they always have
done under a low tariff.
In 1861 the Republican party came
into power, and Immediately adopted
a protective tariff, which remained in
changes, up to 1894. That agriculture ]
prospered under this long period Of pro-
lection Is so well known to every man
and woman of mature years that the
details need not be discussed. No
country was so prosperous during the
thirty years which the United States
had constantly protective tariff, as
more prosperous than our farmers.
Millions of new homes were estab-
lished, the busy manufactures and
their busy millions of employees fur
nished a market for home products.
and prosperity continued until the |
election of 1892 cast the shadow Of an |
impending low tariff over the country. |
The result of the success of Demoe-
racy and low tariff principles In 1902 |
is so fresh IN the minds of every citi-
zen Of the United States as to need no |
comment. Low prices for farm pro-
duce, lack of consuming power among |
the people, financial depression because |
of lack of revenue to the government, |
all bore upon the agricultural interests
and 1t is not surprising that In 1896 |
they voted for return to protective
tariff and prosperity.
No class of citizens In the United |
States have a greater interest In the
protective tariff than the farmers.
That they recognize this Is shown by |
the fact that the farming industry.