The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-02
TuE RouNTY SYSTEM.

In reply to q question from n corespon-
dent we state that the amendment TO the
Senate tariff bill offered by Senator Can
non providing for a bounty on agricui-
tural products exported, received only ten
affirmative votes.
our correspondent also requests us to
give our opinion as to whether or not
southern Senators should have voted for
this amendment. 1.-THE import duties are
so arranged" says he, that they are
largely bounty 10 tho Eastern manufac-
turer. why then should not the South and
West receive some benefits also?"
IL our correspondent has read The
Times, he knows that we are opposed 10
the principle of protection for the rea-
son that he urges against II. The system
Of taxation which enables the American
manufacturer 10 sell his goods at high-
or price than he could obtain for Them
If nut in competition with the manuiac-
tnrers of the world, is in principle the
Same thing as "A government bounty 10
such manufacturers. 1t Is true that the
government itself does not pay this boun-
tv. The consumer pays IT, and the gov
eminent is responsible for the system
which compeIs him to do so.
That being the case, it cannot be denied
that fhe farmer has the same right that
the manufacturer has to demand a boun-
ty, and Tillman was very near right
when he said that as long as robbery was
going on under the tariff legislation. he
wanted his share OF the swag for South
Carolina.
But the Good Book tells us that we
should not do wrong that good may
come Two wrongs cannot make right.
The remedy for the farmer is not In
government bounty which is contrary 10
every principle of Democratic govern
ment. but in such reform Of the tariff
system as shall give government aid TO
nobody. What this country needs is
system that will give us the markets Of
the world for our products, and so ad-
lust 1t as to give no man or class of
men any advantage in business OVER
others.
The demand Of the farmers for a bounty
simply emphasizes the inequality of the
protective system. It shows that when
the government starts in TO help business
by enacting laws in the interest OF this
class or that. somebody is sure to be dis
eliminated against, and those who receive
government aid receive it at the expense
of those who do not.
The spokesman who appeared some time
ago before the Senate committee IN be-
half of the wool-growers said:
in view of these and other considera-
tons, woll-growers may justly ask in
demnity for the past and security for the
future"
And this is what Senator Gray sard In
reply:
When YOU once give way TO the propos-
iton that any man or set of men or class
Of men have d right TO use the taxing
power of this government for their own
benefit, see what sort Of men 1t breeds.
Otherwise honest and intelligent men
think that they have a privilege. and
that they are privileged class and have
a right to levy eXactions upon the whole
Of the rest of the people.
The Times is utterly and unequivocally
opposed to the bounty system in whatever
phase It may present itself. 1t believes
that the government best performs its
function when it interferes as little as
possible with the concerns of the business
world. giving advantage to none and
giving TO each and every citizen the same
chance with all other citizens 10 earn a
living. to accumulate property. and to en-
Joy happiness. That is the true Demo-
cratic idea and the principle upon which
the republic was founded Equal and ex-
act justice TO all. favoritsm 10 none.