The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-23

a lone as to the year 1890, but as to that
pc riod generally. The same authority
tells us that our cotton spinning industry
never grew more rapidly or prospered
more than under the Walker tariff of 1s48
OLD ARGUMENTS ABANDoNED.
The truth is that the tariff beneficiaries
and the stand patters" gave determined
arguments, They virtually say to us
now that high protective tariff Is a good
thing and ought to last forever, and by
So far have the old arguments been aban-
doned that it is not necessary now for a
particular industry, in order to get pro-
lection. to show that it cannot stand alone
and make fair profits on Its own merits.
foY ysa aFS ol a5se dfRsS OF SsreS
it forthwith advertised that they could
produce borax at such low rates as to under
sell the world, which was the fact. They
then went to Washington and expressly
on the ground Of their ability 20 undersell
foreigners they got duty of five cents
to sell borax in England at rates far below
what they charged to American purchasers
and are doing so now.
But this Is only one Of a multitude Of
like monopolies that Cypress the public and
was not the first In point OF time which has
obtained protection, not because 1t needed
protection, but because it could command
votes.
We'll, what OF it," our opponents may
ask. An answer is supplied by the tariff
commission of 1883, whose words I have
quoted. They said that a reduction Of
duties was due as "a measure Of justice
to consumers"
TARIFF A BOUNTY TO THE PRODUCER.
A duty which does not raise the price Of
ject and is therefore needless for purposes
Of protection. II it does artifcially raise
the price then the consumer pays the diff
erence,. which. as Hamilton said, is the
same thing as bounty to the producer.
b hsse HS1tss n are Pnf &. up op tain
beneficiaries, having induced the Govern
ment to shut out foreign competition, form
trusts and combinations to stife domestic
competition. Not all the trusts and COM
bines are founded on the tariff. but most
and their mode of seK-perpetuation lead
to the belief that the country. is no longer
governed by principles, but by interests.
The most effective remedy that can be
applied to the combinations or trusts which
duties Is to reduce the tariff rates. While
the remedy which can be effectively ap-
piled as against the other combinations Ia
to enforce the law this remedy pointed out
in my response to the notification commit
tee and also In my letter Of acceptance.
by an administration disposed to enforce
the law cannot be doubted by any student
of that branch OF the law. 1t is not doubted
by the trusts, who have good lawyers to
advise them, and II Is not questioned by
the trusts that Democratic administration
will enforce the law.
INCREASES THE COST OF LIVING.
1t is true, as all know, that excessive
tariff rates have caused serious injury to
the great body of the people. 1t has in
creased the cost Of living and added to the
price of nearly everything that the people
must buy. This is known Of all men, and
they cry out against It,. And their cry
should be needed. But 1t has been 30 long
part Of the policy Of the country that its
reformation must be prudently under
ton in existing conditions. The Demo-
cratic platform points out the true method
when 1t dem ands A revision and gradual
reduction Of the tariff by the friends of the
masses and for the common veal, and
not by the friends Of it's abuses, it's extor-
tons and determinations"
pointed out in nv response to the no.
tifcation committee how a gradual reduc-
ton OF customs duties may be accomplished
without disturbing business conditions, and
! adhere to the methodSeuggested. But
the work should be undertaken at once
in the interest Of the whole< people. And
il can only be undertaken by the Demo-
cratic paItv. Tbe Republican party win
not attempt 1t. 1t only pro misses such a
revision as the friends Of the tariff wish
AS thew do not wish any revision down.
wlrd, there win be none in that di, ection
while that pa'tv can prevept II. Any
ctho- revision will not relieve the masses,
and IL Is to their relief that Congr ess and
the President should hasten.