The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-03-31
PRODUCING GOOD TIMES.

EN- hlCdlN MEN hODblN nv 1dDMs
Now we are not an extremist on the
tariff question. We do not believe in
free trade. We do not believe in
throwing open our gates to the popu-
latIon of the whole world on terms of
perfect equality with our own people.
We think the man who does not pay
any part of the rent Of the shop, or
furnish any part Of the light or fuel,
should not have the same right to ex-
pose his goods on the counter, as the
tenant who has rented the building.
If this country was universally pros
porous we should be disposed to be
very liberal to our own people as COM
pared with foreigners. But when
men are cutting their own Threats,
and going crazy or rushing into crime,
because there is no price for the pro-
auctions Of agriculture, it seems to us
a horrible piece Of cruelty to tell
them that their condition will be i'm
proved by paying more for what they
have to buy from the manufacturers.
or what use is it to make more goods,
or raise tine price of the same, ii you
do not increase the capacity OF the
masses to buy those goods when
made?
Mr.. Mcmillan, Of Tennessee, had
something to say upon this subject
the other day when the tariff bill was
under discussion. We quote:
The Democratic party can at least
boast that is has accomplished some
thing by preventing this pernicious
principle from being permanently in
grated on our American system of
taxation by government. But what be-
comes Of all those fervent utterances
seven years ago, proclaiming the
beauties OF free sugar? What has be-
come Of the laudation of free sugar by
the cohorts of protection and aGvo-
Gates Of bounties? | remember how
the melOdious voice Of the preSe Mt
chief magistrate proclaimed the boon
Of untaxed sugar. l remember how
the gentleman from Maine, who now
increases the.tax on sugar, proclaimed
that a sugar tax was a burden paid by
the consumer. | remember how the
vigorous and vehement gentleman
from New York (Mr. Payne stood up
and lauded the Republican party for
taking the tax from sugar.
IF the transfer to the free list Of
sugar and mOlaSses gave the greatest
rellef, then it must follow tnat the
reimposition of d high tax on sugar
will be the greatest hardship now.
These gentlemen must confess them
selves as standing for an increase Of
the burdens Of the people, according
n q
they reimposed this burden of taxa
ton. but in doing so they have taken
good care Of corporations and trusts
which now control the sugar market.
The profit to the trust is raised by
this bill from One-eaght of cent q pound
by the present la,c' to iron, 80 10 90 cents on
q hoNdTed pounds, difference between
raw and refined"
"Mr. Chairman, this bill carries not
only higher rates of duty than the
present limit, and higher rates than
the Mckinley bill, but higher than
any law ever passed by an American
Congress.
1.-THE claim that there is an in
creased burden on luXuries is not sus-
tanned by facts. Are shawls and knit
goods luxuries? Are wool hats and
overcoats luxuries? Are knives and
IOIhS Ill U1lS vi OduC dkC
And | beg with due Difference to ask
whether in the state of Maine a clean
shirt has become such rarity that it
is classed with the luxuries? l ask
when, among Americans. sugar that
sweetens tea and coffee became lux
urieS; when trace chains became lux
uries to the farmer? Not only is the
bill itself higher, but the different
schedules average above those Of the
Mckinley bill"
Surely, surely, this is not the right
way to increase the prosperity of the
people.
1t is setting the pyramid on it's
apex.
The real basis of all the bona-fide
prosperity of this country is the farm
er. The capacity of the earth to in
crease many fold. every year, the seed
committed to it, Is what feeds the
world and keeps all manufactures,
mining, commerce and everything else
in motion.
And how can there be any prosper
ity for the farmer while the present
low prices Of agricultural productions
continue?
And how is it possible to increase
the price of wheat, barley, oats, corn.
flax, cotton, beef, nation, ETC., by an
increased tariff rate, when our coun-
try is the prolific mother of food for
the whole world?
1t is a shameful deception and can
only end in universal disaster.