Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1890 — Tariff Reform Headed for Free Trade. [ARTICLE]

Tariff Reform Headed for Free Trade.

The demand for free foreign trade-the plea that commerce must be relieved from tax, although the burden-upon other industries may be proportionately augmented, is on any grounds of equity and fair dealing. Are the industrious attorneys for free trade ever heard demanding that any other line of business shall be equally free with the foreigner’s traffic? They see the farmer taxed on his land, his implements, his live stock, and even such of his crops as may be unsold when the assessor comes around. They see the manufacturer taxed on his buildings, his machinery, his materials, and in some instances oh his stock of finished goods. But no breath is wasted in shouting for free farms and free factories, free animals and free goods. Why, titbit, must all this be reversed when the articles axe made by foreigners whose lands, machinery and other tangible effects are beyond reach of our laws? '...■rr.—rWhy should not the Canadian farmer pay for the privilege of selling his crops in our markets? Whatever he thus pays goes for the support of this government and the enforcement of laws to -which he is certain to appeal for redress if hismoney is not forthcoming according to agreement. The trader in foreign-made goods is quite as vociferous in demanding his rights under our laws as is the farmer or manufacturer. Why, then' exempt from taxation the business of trading in foreign goods rather than the business of manufacturing or farming? Free trade means taxing everything in this country that cStn bo taxed and exempting from taxations everything brought here from abroad—however ingeniously its advocates may conceal their real aim under glittering forms of speech. As one step toward their desired goal the free trade attorneys seek to ’ make it cheaper - than not for foreigners to trade in our markets, and thus render it more difficult for our citizens to compete while com polled Ui pa y higher wages. This the boldest among them frankly avow, while their less candid allies are permitted to pose behind the veil of “tariff reform” so long as they stand ready, at the word of command, to vote for men and measures labeled with the Cobden Club trade mark.