Amador ledger., 1903-02-06
WOULD ABOLISH TARIFF DUTIES.

Our democratic cotemporary, in
line with traditions of the political
party to which it belongs, comes out
flat-footed in favor of the abolition
of the tariff The democratic party,
particularly about election times, is
apt to deny the impeachment that it
is the party of free trade But as
soon as smoke of battle clears away,
with the democracy in its customary
role of defeat, the writer's of that
persuasion throw off the mask, and
show themselves in their true colors
as the advocates of free trade.
Tone it down as they please, by call
ing it under various names, such as
tariff for revenue only, raw material
and the necessaries of life free, and
lot of similar hair-splitting distinc-
tions, the predominant idea of free
trade is unmistakably present, and
the controlling factor in shaping their
views. Last week the Dispatch pre-
sented the ideas of oneHazard Stevens
on how the tariff ought to be re-
formed. The article contains nothing
new. 1t is the same old song that
has been sung over the dropping
fortunes of democracy for 10! these
many years, but it serves to show
that Notwithstanding all their trim
ming to meet the popular sentiment,
at bedrock, they cling to the played
out doctrine of free trade. This
eminent writer on the dominant po-
litical question, claims that customs
duties ought to be abolished on the
following articles, because in some
cases American made goods are sold
abroad cheaper than at home: Iron
and steel, copper, lead and paper,
boots, shoes and leather. On the
following mentioned articles the
tariff ought to be removed for the
reason that they are classed as raw
material: Wool, hemp, fax and jute;
hides, furs and hair; coal, ores, lum-
ber, wood pulp, salt, borax, chemi-
Gals, paints and oil This is certain
ly rich schedule of raw materials
Just fancy, chemicals, paints and
oils being placed in this category.
Then again fish, animals, meats,
sugar, also tropical fruits, and all
kinds of agricultural products are
also to be transferred to the free
list according to this apostle of re
form. It is not a reduction of tariff
that he wants, because, as he saws,
the lowering of duties tends to in
crease rather than reduce the rev.
enue. 1t is the wiping out of the
duties altogether that he contends
for. With this formidable list ex-
empt from tariff eXactions, it is
difficult to see what products of con
sequence would remain for the rails
ing of any revenue worth speaking
of. The occupation of the army Of
customs officers would be gone.
Notwithstanding all their double
faced professions about election
times-and it will be remembered
that during the last election we had
a sample of how democratic stump
speakers can preach republican doc
trine of protection to suit circum-
stances-democracy is the same on
this vital issue as it was in the day
OF Cleveland, Mills, and other tariff
tinkers of the free trade combine.
Tariff smashers have been in the past
the smashers also of Industrial pros
perity, and we believe it will be a
long time before the people of the
United States will give them an op-
portunity to ply their ruiuous call
ing in the halls of congress or
executive mansion again.