Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1892 — A Tariff Query. [ARTICLE]

A Tariff Query.

Remarkably enough, the only exports from the United States that have materially increased in volume and value, except wheat and com, since the McKinley tariff went into operation are the manufactures of iron and steel. These are the manufactures, too, that next to woolen fabrics are covered with the heaviest protective duties. Yet, while thus heavily protected at home, they are able to compete successfully with the rival manufactures of Europe in all the open and free markets of the world. If farm implements of every description, steam engines, saws and tools and other products of the skill and industry of American workers in iron and steel defy competition in foreign lands by reason of their superiority, why should they be hedged about by enormous protective duties in the home market ? Is this because it is feared by legislative wisdom that American consumers' are not as good judges of the qualities of iron and steel products as are the consumers of Australia, Canada and Mexico, and that if the duties should be reduced the markets of this country would be ‘flooded” with European manufactures of inferior workmanship ? If this be not the reason, there can be no other motive for this policy than the spoliation of the masses of the American people for the profit of a favored few.—-Philadel-phia Record.