Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-01
SMITH ON THE TARIFF.
Junior Senator Makes Powerful Speech
For Free Trade.

For Free Trade.
Washington, May 31.-Denouncing
the pending tariff bill as giving the
manufacturer an undue advantage over
the American workingman, Senator
Smith Of South Carolina unequivocally
expressed his faith in free trade pol
Icy in an extended speech while the
cotton schedule was under considera-
ton In the senate today.
1.-The whole tendency Of this legisla-
tion has been to cheaper the raw ma
terial and raise the price Of the finish
ed article" said Mr.. Smith, thereby
giving to the protected manufacturer
double advantage, lessening the price
Of what he has to buy and raising the
price of what he has TO sell. / am not
pleading for nor shall vote for pro-
lection for the raw material. believe
a thing Is worth what 1t will bring In
the open markets Of the world. What
shall vote against Is the iniquitous
a profit by artificial methods. be-
lieve that American skill and the won
derful mechanical devices operated by
steam, water and electricity, our near
ness to the source Of supply for the
raw material, makes 1t possible for US
to compete with the nations Of the
world"
Senator Smith said 1t was absolutely
idle to talk about the protective tariff
being a benefit to the cotton and grain
growers Of America. In support OF his
position. Mr.. Smith quoted, though not
by name, leading manufacturer Of
the SOUTH" who, he said, had told him
that he believed 1t was right and just
that the protective feature Of the tariff
on cotton goods should be entirely
Ixxytn ho nv
ernment, asserted Mr.. Smith, giving
such margin Of profit, had invited
and brought into the cotton manufac-
turing business "a lot of financial buc-
cancers and plungers, who, by the
marvellous profits that could be figured,
possibly on paper, put on foot impos-
sible schemes which have resulted dis
astrously to the milling industry OF the
country" He said that what is true
of the cotton industry Is largely true OF
every other manufacturing industry.
The monstrous injustice Of the bill
Is made in two particulars" continued
Mr.. Smith. "This bill declares that 1t
Is for the purpose Of encouraging
American industries and guaranteeing
to them q reasonable profit, while on
the other hand, In sharp contrast with
1t. In the bill is incorporated tax on
the very fertilizing element upon
which the agricultural laborer Ia de-
pendent for the enrichment Of his soil.
This ammonia, or this nitrogenous ele-
ment that Is so costly and SO essential
In the production Of this crop, must be
taxed because q few coal and gas COM
panies, who. already protected and
making their millions, can not be de-
MED the privilege of making other mil
lions out of that which the government
ought to see that the farmer gets at
the lowest possible price"
Mr.. Smith said It was not only true
that the southern cotton farmer has to
pay about $6 ton more for fertilizer
to produce his cotton In order to give
little additional profit to an already
prosperous, protected industry, but he
must also pay a duty on his bagging
and ties In order to build UP bagging
industry on American soil where no
raw jute material was produced and.
on the other hand, to add to the profits
Of the great steel trust.
Declaring that Mr.. Roosevelts
country life commission" which tour
ed the rural districts last fall "either
proved that for once he (Mr. Roose-
velt) did not give evidence Of that In
telligence that characterized him, or he
was attempting to deceive the rural
population with show Of interest ne
did not feel"
Mr., Smith bitterly asked: who is
there such fool but who must un-
derstand that no man Ia going to take
up vocation the profits Of which must
go by law into the pockets OF those not
onfftto5 tn fhom7o .