The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1901-04-19
UNJUST TARIFF LAW
FAvORITE EXPRESSION OF DO
MESTiC FREE-TRADERS
Would BE Hard to Name Single
Interest That Is Injudiciously Affected,
Unless IL BE Foreign Manufacturers
and American Pawnbrokers.

ana american
"Our unjust tariff laws" is phrase
much in use these days by the pro-
fessional American Cobdenite and the
free trade press in general. Unjust to
whom?
The National Treasury:
For two years our customs duties
have averaged $20,000,000 a month,
nearly half the expenses of the gov
eminent exclusive of the postal depart
ment, which is nearly self-sustainlng.
Our customs revenue was never SO
large, and it is paid by those who can
afford to pay it.
The Capitalist?
American capital was never so large
~ or proftably employed as now, not
only at home, but the world over.
The Wage Garner?
More people are employed today In
the United States than ever before In
our history, and these people are in
dividually and collectively working
more days in the year and getting
more pay for each days labor than IN
any previous year or period.
Tho Consumer?
The cost of living is much lower to-
day than during the period when the
Wilson German free trade law was IN
operation, and the general cost OF Nv
ing is as low or lower than any time
in twenty-five years. There is such
thing as commodities being too cheap.
The Farmer?
He is selling all he can raise at good
prices. He has paid off millions or
mortgages in the last three years, ana
his farm has doubled in value.
The Railroads?
The only complaint that comes from
railroads these days is lack of cars.
They are carrying more passengers
and more freight and paying hlgher
wages to more men, and stockholders
are receiving better dividends.
Our Banks, ETC.?
These great repositories for money
reflect the prosperity Of the working
class by which we mean all who work
for wage or salary. Surplus income is
put in the bank in the home or in the
insurance policy. This not only pro-
yides for the future, but it furnishes
capital for great and small enterprises
i In nm nh
and adds to the great home market
which creates such a huge demand FOR
products of the farmer and factory. In
this way our Industries are diverslhed
and the endless chain of independence
is ceaselessly continued, gaining in
volume and strength at every turn.
Again we ask, Unjust to whom? We
can think of only one class and that is
the pawnbroker and his kind.
Perhaps, however, our free trade
friends have in mind the foreign
manufacturers. Yes; our tariff law may
be unjust to them; but what law, Di-
vine or human, demands that we go
naked and hungry and cold ourselves
to provide for our neighbor who should
provide for himself?
There never was more just tariff
law on our statute books than the So
called Dingley law now in such sue
cessful operation. AS a measure for
revenue and for protection to our di-
versifed industries and our millions of
laborers it is more than fulfilling the
expectations of it's trainers and most
thoroughly indicating their wisdom.
When it needs to be amended, as do all
tariff laws,to meet changed conditions,
it will be amended on a just basis to
continue the greatest good to the
greatest number.