The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-17
DrNGLEY TARIFF AND PROSPERITY


DLNGLEY TARIFF AND PROSPERITY.
The chances are that the senate will
turn down the reciprocity treaties ne
gotiated by Commissioner Kasson during
the last three years under the prov1-
sions Of the Dingley tariff act.
The reasons given for refusing to con-
cur with the administration in these
measures to further extend American
trade, would be highly amusing if uttered
by the leading comedian in a farce COM
edy, but coming from United States sena-
tors we must presume that they are
given in all seriousness. We are as
sured by senators who voted for the Ding
ley tariff bill, that they have become con-
WINGED that the reciprocity articles were
ill-timed, that the tariff schedule Is
none too high to efficiently protect the in
FAINT industries of the United States, and
that the power placed in the hands Of
the executive to modify the tariff law
is a dangerous concession to the execu-
tive branch of the government This IL
the reason given by senators whose con-
stituents object to one or more of the
treaties because Of the lowering Of the
tariff rate 20 per cent on some article
which they manufacture.
The above reason, though idiotic to q
degree, Is a whole treatise on logic COM
pared to the reasons given by senator's
within the last week.
They say, that inasmuch as the Ding
ley tariff law, operating without the
reciprocity amendments has given the
United States the greatest season of
prosperity that 1t has ever known, and
inasmuch as our exports under this same
law have exceeded those of any previous
year, 1t would be dangerous to ratify the
treaties, Notwithstanding the assurance
Of the treaty commission that the export
trade to France alone would be increased
to the amount Of $25 100000 a year
The assumption that the prosperity OF
the country and the increase of our for
eign export trade Is due to the Dingley
tariff act seems beyond the serious con-
sideration of an intelligent being.
The country has prospered and the
export trade has increased, in spite OF the
Dingley tariff law and not by reason OF
it. The reasons for the prosperity of the
tariff legislation or the dominance of any
political party The country prospered
because the pendulum Of industry and
commerce is swinging in that direction.
If the Dingley tariff act was the cause
of our present prosperity, then was the
Mckinley tariff act the cause of the
seven years of famine that began in
1890
The Dtngley tariff act was so construct
ed as to cut off our export trade. So
high are the tariff barriers that most
nations retaliated by erecting against the
import of United States goods their max
imum tariff schedule. Why, then, It Is
asked, has our export trade increased
during the last few years7 We answer
that foreign conditions of production and
consumption have had much to do with
this foreign trade. But the real secret
is found In the fact that the American
manufacturer having a complete mon
opoly at home, being able to combine
and control prices, has been able to COM
pei the American people to pay him q
handsome profit while he goes into for
eign markets and by selling his products
for one-half the price obtained from his
neighbor, is able to drive the foreigner
out OF his own market Nearly every
product of an industry which receives the
protection of the government, and which
is found in foreign markets, can be pur
chased for the American price, less the
amount Of the tariff, and often for much
less
The Dingiey tariff imposes a tax on
the American consumer, that the for
eigner may be able to buy at a reason
able price American goods.
Thus we have foreign trade built up
| by the great mass of working consumers
for the benefit of few. The boosted
balance Of trade is dearly paid for by
the rank and file Of American consumers
Certain Republican papers have been
honest enough to cry warning to the
party counseling a change In the tarln
policy to comport with the changed con-
dition Of the manufacturing n :erests,
and the commercial ambitions of the ma
ton. But the leaders seem more intent
on the accomplishment of personal
schemes. than upon the broader meas
ures of national polity.
1t is not likely that the present Leg
islature will pass a law against vote-buy-
I ing.
The worst hardship about smallpox is
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