Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1892 — Four; Yearn of Education. [ARTICLE]

Four; Yearn of Education.

Four years ago, when President Cleveland sent his message to Congress recommending a reduction of duties to a strict tariff for revenue basis as the best means of checking the then large and constantly growing surplus, and of relieving the burdensome taxes on the farmer and laborer, only the most vague ideas prevailed among the masses of the people in regard to the tariff. Not one voter in ten knew how the General Government got its revenues, and not one in fifty could distinguish between a “revenue" and a “protective” tariff. The ordinary newspaper printed but little on the subject of taxation, because most readers were unwilling to pay for such “dry” matter. The books on this subject were mainly by professors, who were largely theoietical and philosophical, and were read by but few except economic students. The discussions, begun in 1888, started thought on economic questions among thinking people. Discussions extended into all the large papers, to the lodge, to the school-house, and even to the church and home; the demand for economic literature grew; the people wanted to read and hear both sides; protectionists and tariff reformers were called upon to give facts; press bureaus were established to supply tariff matter weekly to country papers in all parte of the United States; speakers were sent out by both parties, not merely during campaigns to assist the fire works and brass bands in entertaining the voters,

but during the whole year at sohoolhousss, town halls and county fairs. What a wonderful change was wrought! Most Intelligent men now know that our governments supported mainly by duties on imports; they have gotten many ideas and have collected a few hard faots; nearly every farmers’ and every laborers’ organization contains men able and ready to debate the tariff question; and politicians have had to post themselves or moke room for those who have studied the needs of the people in this direction. It is safe to 6ay that the tariff discussion could not now bo stopped by any political trick or turned aside by any other issue. It has come to stay. The people demand a settlement, and one that shall be final, on this most vital of questions.