Word: tariff
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Dates: during 1880-1889
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...devoted his time to discussing the accusation of protectionists that the free trade agitation was incited by British influence, and their claims that the prosperity of our country for the past quarter of a century and the high wages which laborers have received, were due to the present high tariff...
...difficult to approach the subject of British interference in our tariff legislation with seriousness. There is not a scintilla of evidence that any influence had been exerted from that quarter. It is a ridiculous idea that the Cobden Club has ever used its influence to establish free trade in the United States. The truth is that the tariff reform agitation is hindered because its advocates have not a personal interest in the matter. In fact, nothing would so hurt the British manufacturer as the lowering of the duty on certain articles which enter into the manufacture of many commodities...
...tariff of 1860 is the most complete experiment which the protectionists have made, and it has given a stimulus to native industry such as no other tariff has ever done. It cannot be denied that the country has prospered under it, but it is another thing to assert that there would not have been the same prosperity without it. Protectionists tell us that countries like Ireland, Turkey and Portugal, have failed to prosper on account of free trade, but they neglect to speak of the real causes which have operated to bring about this unfortunate state of affairs. The tariff...
Suppose the direct distribution of monies, raised by appropriation in the usual way, to manufacturers suffering from competition. The evils of this method are evident. Yet the tariff system is in effect such a distribution. The manufacturers ask Congrees for aid by tariff, and usually get it. Only the protected manufacturers can be thus dependent. Yet tendencies to dependence are unquestionably corruptive. Protection was early proposed for the "infant" industries. Only lately was it advocated for perpetuity. American manufacturers have surely progressed; but still they seem to have grown no less dependent...
...Tariff for revenue only is the only possible form, inasmuch as it is definite in sum and purpose, and is comprehensible to all. A protective tariff suiting all classes is utterly impossible...