Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1890 — MIKINLEY PRICES. [ARTICLE]

MIKINLEY PRICES.

THE FIRST FRUITS OF M’KINLEY'S TARIFF JOB. ITh«t the New York Market Reports Show—The “Eeueficences" of Higher Prices as Seen by McKinley—The False Promises of the Republican Committer. Maj. McKinley, that curious specimen who believes that high prices are best Tor the country, should begin to wear a well-sel ectcd assortment of smiles. That -statesman says that “it is only in order now to watch for the beneficence which the new tariff law is bound to work.” If McKinley will look into the trade papers he will find that his Chinese-wall bill has already begun to work its “beneficence. ” He will find that those “beneficences” are already coming in the shape of higher prices, just what McKinley has /aimed at, for he has said himself: “We want no return to cheap times in our -own country. ” Let us look into only two of these trade papers, both of them protectionists—the New York Dry Goods Economist and tlie Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter—which are the very highest authorities in their respective trades. If Mrs. McKinley will look into the Dry Goods Economist she will find a comment on her husband’s tariff law which -ought to be of special interest to her. It is as follows: “It will be interesting to watch the effect of higher prices upon the popularity, of the new tariff which has caused them. We shall soon hear from the consumer, and, in fact, already there are loud murmurs on every side. As a rule ladies are proverbially indifferent to politics, but when they find out, as they are now ■doing, that something has been done by the politicians which results in adding from 20 per cent, to 25 per cent, to their •dressmaker’s and millinery bills, we fancy that we shall hear from the disenfranchised sex in tones that no judicious unan will be likely to ignore.” The same paper prints a long article with the heading, “ The Tariff and Prices —A General Advance All Along the Line.” This article gives in some -detail the advances in prices which have ■already been caused by the tariff bill, as stated fyy the merchants themselves. A largo number of merchants were spoken with, and every one reported advanced 'prices as already in effect or as soon to 'be made. Mr. John Claflin, who is a member of ’-the great Republican firm of Claflins, reported that “woolens will advance about 10 per cent, on an average.*’ Linens, said another merchant, had advanced on an average about 5 per cent., -and buyers were more eager to purchase at this figure than dealers to sell. Still another merchant reported that dress goods for women were 10 to 15 per cent, higher. “The advance on velvets,” he said, “is all the way up to 25 per cent., and so it is on the lowest grades of plushes. ” While there is this sharp advance on grades which only are in the :reach of the poorer buyers, how is it when the rich come to buy? “There is, liowever, no advance on the finest qualities of velvets.” Another merchant said, “Dress goods ihave all gone up. Among the articles which have been most affected are gingihams which contain some silk. The price of these goods has gone up fully ;50 per cent., the old duty being only 35 per cent, ad valorem, while under the new law they will have to pay 35 per •cent, ad valorem and 10 cents per square yard. ” Corduroys are a kind of goods in which nearly all country people are in'te rested. One of these merchants said. ■“Low-priced corduroys will cost 40 per cent. more. The actual advance on corduiroys and on velveteens this week has been •25 per cent.” Another merchant said that worsteds had already gone up from 12 to 15 per cent, as the result of the increased duty. These were all wholesale merchants. 'The retail trade, however, was also feeling the effect of higher prices. The .article says: “Linen goods of every kind have careered upward, also hosiery, underwear, etc. Ribbons are a cent or two higher on the standard goods. ” The same paper reports that pearl ■buttons had advanced in price 25 per ■cent., and that an equal advance would be made later, all owing to the higher ■duty. The New York Commercial Bulletin shows that the price of these buttons had already been doubled before this 50 per cent, advance was decided •upon. The full advance in price is therefore 150 per cent. In other words, ■a dollar’s-worth of pearl buttons will hereafter be sold for $2.50. Buyers who •object to these prices must remember that the good Maj. McKinley assures us that “when merchandise is cheapest men are poorest.” It is well to remember here, too, that our President has said ’that “a cheap coat usually covers a cheap man.” Of course cheap peart would go on cheap shirts, which would naturally be worn by poor men—•or, as the President says, “cheap men.” The Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter is -devoted to the trade indicated by its name, and is a defender of the protective system. In its first number after the tariff bill went Into operation it printed the following items in its market “Phosphorus is 19 cents per pound higher, that being the extent of the in•crease of duty by the new tariff. “Cod-liver oil, now that the new duty /has gone into effect, is held for higher .prices. ” The lowest price in August was $16.50; :4t is hero quoted at $17.75 to $lB as the lowest figures. Sugar of milk, which is used to make 'food for very young children, has felt ’■the touch of the 8 cents per pound duty. Early in August the price was 18 to 23 •cents per pound; the price has now Jumped to 28 cents, while some dealers ■quote 30 to 35 cents. “Bay rum is firm, $2.25 being the in--side price, while some dealers want ■52.35. The increased duty is the cause -of the recent change in prices.” The .August price was $1.90 to $2., Window glass, which has been made •■dutiable by McKinley, at a much higher figure on the largest sizes, and which Jias just come under the sway of the new •window glass trust, is about to rise to a .higher price. The paper here quoted ■says: “It is reported that all the large Western Jobbers have been in Pittsburg the past week, anxious to place contracts iin anticipation of an early rise in values. ” The' McKinley bill reduces the duty on •some articles, and it is interesting to note the immediate effect of such reduc•tion. The paper just quoted says in its market reports: “Hemp seed being advertised at a lower rate of duty, market prices have been reduced.” “Rope seed also pays a lower rate of

duty, and In consequence has declined to 4J4c for English and 3 J<c for German. ” The price in August for English was as high as sc, and for German as high as 4c. A reduction was made also on chloroform, but “chloroform prices have not been affected by the cut of one-half in the duty, the new rate being practically prohibitory. ” McKinley goes about the country telling the people that the foreigner pays the tariff tax. Do these facts confirm his words? Moreover, the Republican National Committee are now sending out from Washington a campaign document in which the following remarkable assertions are made: “All the Democratic talk about ‘increased taxation to the people,’ is downright falsehood. “The customer will appreciate the existence of the new tariff law only by its results in the reduction of his necessary household expenses. ” Do the above factsconfirm the brilliant promises of the Republican National Committee? or do they show that committee to be prophets of falsehood? Even John Wanamaker knows more about these matters than the committee. Ho has issued an advertisement warning his customers that they would do well to buy his tinware before the tariff price is put on. Even Wanamaker knows the tariff is a tax!