New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-02

varied Although he does not discuss in detail
the arguments of the doctrinaires on either side.
Mr.. Stanwood is evidently familiar with all they
have written of real Importance. He is also q
master of statistics, which he knows how TO
present In an interesting and ineligible man
ner-not the commonest Of talents. He has.
likewise-as so practised a journalist would
naturally do-kept himself in appreciative touch
with the history of his own day and generation,
as he has seen It with his own eyes and read
it In the current pages of the press. In so doing
he has secured some of the most interesting
data for his book and some of the most effective
arguments of record in favor of the protection
list system and in refutation of free trade pre-
tensions Let us cite a single illustration he
is speaking of the exaggerations concerning the
Mckinley tariff and it's effect upon prices:
II was seriously given out and published far
and wide that the inevitable consequence OF lIe
higher duty tin plate would be an auE 'II
of from 10 TO 20 per cent in the price o. C@Iii
fruits and vegetables The basis or the dsSeI
ton was an increase of one and two-tenths Genus
on a pound of tin plate which would posslply
amount TO one-third of cent on the TN useu
in putting up a can of tomatoes, ana less thal
8 per cent on the retail price of the cheapest
can of the cheapest vegetables, which change
of duty was not to take place for elght months.
In at least case a canning factory
ostentatiously posted reduction OF wages ana
published reason the imposslblhty OF con-
tinuing in business at the prevailing scale OF
wages . . The tinware men were not be-
hind the Gamers in protesting that their indus
try was threatened with ruin. They announced
an immediate advance of from 10 TO 70 per cent
on their wares, thus anticipating the increased
duty on their material by eight months
during which time they could and did procure
a large supply of that material. At the same
time an appeal was made to the consumer which
surpasses in audacity of conception any other
political device of our time. Tin pedlers were
sent through the country districts, their vans
loaded with the familiar pans and other Kitchen
kffrh herrNF
They were instructed to represent that the in
crease was due to the tariff, and that tin
ware would never be lower so long as the law
in force Thus the farmers wives were
made political agents to secure votes against
"McKinleyism" The exaggeratiOn did not con-
fine itself to specific articles 1t extended TO the
whole cost of living "A New-York merchant
after a careful examination" concludes that
the necessaries of life must advance about 80
per cent" The chief necessaries Of life food
clothing and shelter. The tariff did not affect
bread and meat in the slightest degree; It prom
Used and gave large reduction in the cost Of
sugar. 1t made a slight furry in the market
for clothing, which, nevertheless, during the
period the Mckinley act was in force, was lower
on the average than ever before. OF course. it
did not touch rents. nor did il make any change
whatever in the price of fuel. In short, it is
easily demonstrating that the cost of living TO the
average householder lower rather than
higher under the Mckinley law.
That of course, is all true, and corroborative
examples might be multiplied a thousand times
we ourselves nave keenly IN NINA a case IN
which a thrifty shopkeeper Immediately upon
the enactment of the Mckinley BILL advanced
the price OF certain articles by 30 cents pair
when the increase in duty on them would be
only 80 cents a dozen pairs and. Of course, his
advanced charge was made on goods purchased
under the old tariff. Millions of purchasers had
such experiences, and II was largely, we believe
chiefly, thus that the temporary popular revul-
sion against the Mckinley bill manufact
ured Mr.. Stanwood, with fine charity, and
with the generosity which makes him, while a
strong partisan most impartial historian, does
not bitterly inveigh against those who were
guilty of such practices. 1T may not be fair
he says, Ito employ the word conspiracy TO
characterize their course OF action" And again
To-day say what we may of it from the point
of view of political ethics it moves chiefly ones
sense OF humor." We entirely willing to
subscribe to the latter amiable sentiment, and
have at hand documentary proof that
there any technical conspiracy" among
tradesmen. No, there nothing but violation
OF two items Of the Decalogue, making it quite
fitting to preface the story of their doings with
Lowelrs motto for the Copyright League.
But must not extend our quotations from
Mr.. Stanwood's book, lest betray ourselves
into attempting what we have already described
impossible. Just one more word of his, and
could wish to be the whole American nation. He
admits frankly that the arguments in favor Of
protection have changed AT first they dealt
with the necessity of founding industries
Next they urged the need of sustaining those
industries. Still later the plea that those
industries should be enabled to maintain higher
rates Of wages for workingmen than paid
in competing lands. Still other arguments for
the system have been produced from time to
time. These have been, says Mr. Stanwood, for
the fulfilment of a new and grander purpose
AT that We have perceived some free traders to
scott. The idea" they say, "Of pretending that
there is anything but sordid greed in demands
for protective tariff Are we, then. to under
stand that no one ever advocated free trade be-
cause it would be to his pecuniary advantage?
Go to! Why, Richard Golden himself did not
hesitate to enlarge, with his copious and per-
suasive vocabulary, upon the profits in pounds.
shillings and pence that would accrue to the
shopkeepers OF England through the adoption of
free trade. II may not be that every advocate of
protection is moved by an exalted and unsefsh
purpose, any more than is every advocate of free
trade We fancy that human nature is pretty
much the both sides of the tariff line.
But the point which Mr.. Stanwood makes. and
we believe he makes 1t well. is that each new ap-
plication of the protective system has on the
whole, operated for the fulflment Of a new and
benehcent purpose contributing TO the advance
ment of industry and commerce and to the ele-
walton Of the general standard of life among
those engaged therein. That fact, we confidently
believe, is demonstrated by this record which,
in so mastery a manner. he has placed before
u.s.
There is often some cant in the phrase a
'definitive edition" a "defnitive work" It
NAV be that some day q better history of oIr