The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-29

dent. in discussing this question. says
| that there is much food for though, Tor
tho extreme protectionists OF this country
| in the present attitude OF foreign coun-
tries toward American Importation
Some of the red-hot tariff advocates. ne
SAYS disclose a faint intimation OF sns-
picion that they have gone too far In
their last legislative product. the Dingley
bill. The action Of Germany. France. the
Argentine Republic and other countries.
he adds. in establishing prohibitive duties
against our products. as we have against
theirs. Is more than likely to be generally
followed. And the Philadelphia Ledger
| says:
The French Chamber OF Deputies has
| voted onerous II not prohibitory duties
on American hogs and hog products. and
| the Premier has simultaneously announced
| that II is the inter ton Of the government
| 10 impose more rigorous inspection OF all
food mportations-that is 10 say. more re-
strictive regulations against our exports 10
| France.
The Argentine Chamber OF Deputies
| has similarly tried its hand In the Work OF
| imposing. not reciprocal. but retailatoty
| duties on American products uhder the
| transparent plea OF increasing duties on
| the exports OF all foreign countries when
ever such duties may appear to be essen
| tial to the protection OF the domestic IN
! terests OF the Republic The Deputies
refused. as they were recommended by the
| Government to do. 20 enhance the duties
| on agricultural implements, but upon other
| innovations to Argentine except as were
| upon the free list. they levied further
duties averaging 70 per cent; upon the
above noted exceptions the new duties are
| equal 10 10 per cent These duties are I'M
posed for the purpose Of retaliatihg upon
| this country for taking the wool ana
| hides OF Argentine from our free ist ana
making them dutiable.
GERMANY appears 20 have been the last
OF our foreign noighbors to decline recip-
rocal trade relations with US. a dispatch
| from B.,lin. dated Christmas Day, states
| that IT,.
"It is announced that the German Gov
| eminent declines 10 yield TO the request
~ tho United States. made during the
rociprocitv negotiations. for reduced du-
ties on American animal products.
Thus IS II made to appear that the often
| EXPRESSED desire OF our statesmen ana po-
| litIcal economists for All exclusive home
| Market" tnSurmOuntablv anu ih"'7Ai Wv
bIv walled about by foreign retaliatory en-
actments. ia pretty certain to be realized
These things must necessarily bring the
nrotectionlsts to reflection. The Dingley
law Is a failure as revenue producer
hut that is not surprising. as it was never
designed primarily TO raise revenue us
chief purpose was and is TO protect
! American industries. the question OF
me being merely incidental But the IN
dications now are that It will be quite as
great failure H. promoting the industries
n, this country as It is in raising revenue
In the early days Of TINS repuOi'o
there was AT least an argument TOT pro-
lection. but that day is past. 1t Is no"
a hack number and has no place IN OUT
economy. We have simply out-gro"h IT,
and 70 continue the system in this pro-
yressive age is like trying to elo'he a iu'l
crown man In the swaddiing garments Of
| an infant.