Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1888 — An Odious Burden. [ARTICLE]

An Odious Burden.

As a matter of fact we import butaMfling quantity of lead in its crude form into the United States. The tax of 68 per cent, levied upon it gives the market to the home producer, and the price is kept as high as the tariff wall will permit. The total im-

portation of lead for the year ended June 30. 1807, was valued at $345,313, lupon which a duty of $235,878 was collected. The importations of zinc and spelter were valued at $251,372, on which a duty of $117,735 was paid, equal to 47 per cent. In the face of these figures the apologists for the lead trust insist that not the people of the United States but the people of foreign countries pay our lead tax. The impudence of this line of argument is in keeping with its false conclusion. The tax on lead and zinc is an odious burden laid on the backs of the many for the benefit of a few. The zinc tax is mainly paid by washerwomen.—Philadelphia Record.