Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1905-02-16

quarelling, some wanted him to be free
ed, and others wanted him to remain
in slavery.
Now as to the tariff / will try to
give the readers of the News the correct
history from 1889 up to 1905. and If his
tory is correct man can form his own
ideas as to the propriety or improperly
OF protective policy
From the time of the landing of the
pilgrims in 1920 to the formation OF our
government under a constitution in
1889 there we're in THIS country no gem
eral duties upon imports. In short we
we're under free trade, and foreign ma
tions were able to place in our market
without restraint every article which
we we're liable to buy.
After we secured independence and
were united as confederacy during the
years from 1888 to 1889, when we exist
ed as a union of colonies, this free
trade was accompanied by the most dis
ferrous consequences the country had
ever known. The wares OF other coun-
tries especially of Great Britain were
dumped on our shores for which our
money went abroad until we were drain
ed of all our specie, and had not even
dollar left as circulating medium. Be-
cause of the goods which came from
abroad our own laborers were idle and
nothing but debt and ruin stared US in
the face.
This state of affairs was one OF the
principal causes which led to the adop-
tion of constitution and uniform
government throughout the states. In
1889 it is not surprising then that the
first law placed on our statute books af-
iecting the people was tariff law in
tended not only as means of revenue
but for the encouragement and protect
ion of manufacturers. The effect was
at once seen of the industrial progress
which we made in both agriculture and
manufactures in spite of the attempts
of the mother country to crush out ev-
cry industry in the States.
From time to time the tariff was re-
vised and strengthened by increase and
on July l, 1912 law was enacted Inn
posing double duties, or as it was called,
the war tariff.
Nearly all Importation then ceased
and rapid progress in all lines of indus.
try and in spite of the had times and
the great drain upon our resources made
necessary by the war with England we
made constant and most substantial pro-
gress.
In 1916 a new tariff was was enacted
and our congress thinking that even
with repeal of many of the war taxes
the tariff would still remain sufficiently
protective made many reductions, but
they were mistaken. Duties were left
not su fficiently high to keep out impor
tations and with determination on the
part OF Great Britain to throttle ano
ruin our growing industries, the yeal
following this tariff proved the mos
disasterous ever known up to that time
Bankruptcy and general ruin followed
values shrunk and the evils of low du
ties or free trade were most apparent.
The agitation for higher duties be
came so earnest that in 1924 a new tar
i'll law passed which restored duties tt
a protective point and gave our in
dustries new start and our agriculture
great impetus. The effect was al
most magical in all parts of the ney
and growing country, and SO effective
were the results that many of ou
statesmen, like Daniel Webster, wh,
had previously been free traders, be
came at once most staunch advocates o
protective tariff. The result wa
that in 1928 new law was enacted
which was called the tariff of abomina
tion.
Continued Next Weekly