The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-07-09
D. U. FLETCHER WHITES ABOUT
THE TARIFF
II He will Live Up 20 What He
Writes He Will 90 We'll

The following letter was written 20
the editor of the Worlds Events By
Duncan U. Fletcher. Florida's bril-
liant junior representative Ia the
United States senate.
Editor Worlds Events-YOur fevOr
requesting a brief message regard
ing what I consider would b. an
ideal policy for the government 90
pursue in it's relation to both revenue
and industry" has been received
Complying I would point out a few
fundamental principles and logical de-
auctions:
1. Generally speaking. the tarih d.
a tax, and is paid by the consumers
of the commodities upon which an Inn
port duty is laid.
2. The general government has the
power, and no more. 10 lay and cob
lect taxes for the purpose OF raising
revenue for the support and main
tenance and operation Of the govern
ment and for governmental purposes.
8. There is no authority 90 legis-
late values into products or cOmmOdi-
ties for the benefit Of special private
interests alone at the expense OF an
other people.
4. 1t is clearly an abuse OF the
governmental function 10 employ Do
to subserve a private interest
3. A tariff should be laid so C. 90
produce the greatest amount OF rev
enue with the least burden on the
people.
6. To raise sufficient revenue for
the economical administration OF the
government. a duty on imports must
be imposed 1--WE call IL a tariff. and
this duty will inevitably result In
some incidental protection 70 Ameri-
can industries. II the duty Is so high
as to prevent importation. you may
have two results; first. no revenue
will be produced, because no duties
will be collected, there being no i'm
portation; and, second, there will b.
no foreign competition, and the home
competition, where any exists. will
soon he avoided by the formation OF
combinations and trusts, which viii
fix the price in the home market. This
is the result of a high protective tar
III, such as now exists. in respect TO
many articles Of consumption.
Z. The lower the duty the great.
er the importation and the competi-
ton, and the greater the revenue.
provided the duty is not too low. The
point where the rate Of duty will pro
duce the greatest revenue with the
least artificial stimulation OF prices
IS the point where the duty should be
liked.
s. There will be inequality OF ben
efits and burdens under any tariff
but the higher the tarin the lore
protection" the greater must De
.hese inequalities. A policy OF protec-
ion without regard TO the raising OF
revenue for governmental purposes.
Just for the sake Of taking care % In
1ustries, means favoritism; the aid
by the government at the expense OF
al the people to particular interests.
ne sustaining, by taxing the consum-
srs, industries which could not live
without high protection; excessive
protection to certain industries far
lDoVe what any principle would iusti-
y, resulting in mountain peaks "a
Which the prices climb, and vast in
'rease in the cost Of necessaries ana
comforts of life.
3. 1t follows that where benefits
md burdens are more nearly equalis-
a. faroritism largely disappears. en-
'essiVe duties are avoided, @grafts n
lot probable, a feeble and undeserv-
ng Industry is not enabled 10 become
IN imposition upon the people AZ Iarae
Ind private interests are not maSe
paramount to the public GOOD. A.
Iuction Of the tarin duties shouid n
gradual towards, and uItimatelv
mould reach, a strictly revenue IA.
lis.
II seems to be nov. that before No
an have much relief from the hlrh
arm taxes, We must have greater
economy In the administration Of "a.
government, and a decided reduction
q expenditures.
Yours very truly.
DUNCAN U. FLETCHER