Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1892 — High ariff Methods. [ARTICLE]

High ariff Methods.

Ever since the war 1 ariffs were ehacted it has been characteristic of the high protected trusts and combinations to use all means possible and to report to the most unscrupulous methods to retain the advantages already secured, or to obtain still more favorable ones La the form of high taiiffs on competing foreign products. During the war, when the Government found it necessary to tax manufactured products to increase its revenues, these interests were able to have the tariff raised 1o offset such tax. Said Mr. Morrill, who had charge of the tax bills in the House during the war: “If we bleed manufacturers we must see that the proper tonic is administered in return,” i. e., give them power to bleed the people. This policy of bleeding the people was justified during the war by the necessities of the revenue. When, however, the war was over and the internal taxes were taken off, thus stopping “the bleeding of the manufacturers,” these very manufacturers were powerful enough to

secure? the retention of the war tariffs as they were, and in many oases to have them increased. In this way their power “to bleed” the people has been increased and perpetuated. Now that the people are awakening and are gathering their forces preparatory to a campaign to reduce the "bleeding" power given by high tariffs, these high tariff beneficiaries are perfecting their organization, known as the American Protective Tariff League, so as to be able to resist any reduction whatever in their tariff privileges. Knowing that the present administration is favorable to their cause, they do not hesitate to use the officers of the National Government to assist them in accomplishing their ends. The following extracts from a circular letter to new postmasters sent by Mr. Wilbur F. Wakeman, Secretary of the League, will show how unscrupulous are the methods resorted to. New York, Dec. 29. 1891. Dear Sir —Accept our congratulations upon your recent appointment. Situated as you are you can accomplish the best rewilts for the cause of protection of any one in your locality. It Is our plan to have at hand one official correspondent of the .league at every postoffice, and through him secure Information, obtain the distribution of our documents, and exert every legitimate Influence In favor of protection and reciprocity. It Is impossible for us to. bear all the expense of this work, tor this is a big country. Every intelligent voter should receive complete Information showing the benefits of protection. We wish to have you act as our confidential agent and correspondent to assist in this work. We expect that each correspondent will either personally, or with the aid of friends, furnish at least $5 before the next election for circulation of our literature' at his home. If you do not feel like personally contributing the amount suggested ask friends to help. They will do It If you accept we will outline a plan to secure the co-operation of others. Will you aid as our correspondent? It is imperative that every friend like you put his shoulder to the wheel and work .in season and out of season until the election of 1892. Yours verv truly, Wilbur F. Wakeman, See This is ©©thing but blackmail, pure and simple. Shall it be allowed to succeed?