Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-10-31
TO YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN.

TO YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN.
For the student now in school, and for those older
yet who have not read much Of the history OF their
country their is no topic the study of which will give
them better idea of the periods Of prosperity and ad-
versty through which this country has passed, than
the tariff We know that the tariff is spoken OF as
of figures and schedules but it is not necessary
that the student should 60 into the details of the sched
ue The only part necessary for the student is the Ell
feet of tariff high enough for protection, and tar
low enough to let foreign manufacturers sell their
wares in this country It is the fundamental difference
of the republican and democrat parties today just the
it has been for many years The democrats be-
lieve in tariff for only while the repuphcans
believe in tariff for protection Of American Industries
and American workngmen Those differences of opin-
ion what make vote the republican ticket
and some men vote the democrat ticket.
This year Col Rooseyelts proposition on the tariff,
while expressed in different words is in practical effect
the same as the democratic proposition the tariff
and if put into force will accomplish the same dlsas
trous result.
The only way to Judge the future is by the past.
That is the basis Of all action Seeds planted, be-
by experience Of past years we know that crops
will grow from them Goods bought this year by the
merchant because from past experience ne knows ne
can sell them Therefore, it is safe to that the
same conditions that were brought about by low tariff
number of times before, be brought about by low
tariff now.
In 1926 protective tariff law was enacted in this
country and the country prospered under it until low
tariff was enacted in 1888 This brought the panic OF
1897 which lasted until 1912 In 1892 President Jackson
said that the prosperity and happiness in the United
States is unequaled in any portion of the world"
In 1888 bill was passed making gradual reduc-
ton in the tariff the same kind Wilson and some OF
Roosevelts followers advocating now To give you
an idea of what happened then, quote as follows:
"The sheriff of Muskingum county, Ohio as stated
in the Guernsey Times sold 10 hogs at 6c each; two
horses at 81 each and at 81 EACH In Pike county,
Missouri as stated by the Hannibal Journal the sher-
i sold horses at $150 EACH and steers and
calf the lot at $685. 20 sheep at each and "A hogs
for total Of 25c."
The protective tariff bill of 1912 had been in force
but three years when President Polk said in his mes
sage to congress that abor in all its branches is being
well paid and the happy condition of our country is
without an example in the history of nations !"
In 1916 the tariff was lowered small percentage,
not enough to absolutely destroy business but enough
to interfere with good many lines of industry Condi-
lions were unsatisfactory and in 1856 the democrats
sought to relieve the situation by making still further
reduction and in December of 1857, James Buchanan in
his message to congress said, I'm the midst OF unsur-
passed plenty in all the productions Of agriculture and
in allthe elements Of national wealth, we find the man
ufactlres suspended public works retarded, our
private enterprises of different kinds abandoned and
thousands of useful laborers thrown out OF employ
ment and reduced to want.
These conditions continued until Buchanan him
self signed protective tariff bill in 1860 In 1892 the
democratic party with low tariff platform, was voted
into control of all branches Of the government They
took possession $685. and Immediately dved into the
tariff problem They tried to make tariff law that
would produce revenue but did not do it. They did not
work from any basis of knowledge experience, and
in
frai1va