The McKinley Tariff, which may be broadly stated to add
50 per cent. to former duties, is producing its natural effect. The American manufacturers and the importers have both raised their prices ; and the tradesmen whose business is con- tracted, and the Western farmers who have to pay the new prices, are alike growing furious. They feel the Tariff like a direct tax, and will, it is said, avenge themselves upon the Republican Party at the coming elections to Congress. They are not soothed even by the annoyance felt in Europe and Canada, though they smile at it, that annoyance putting no money in their pockets. So keen is the feeling, that Mr. McKinley, who last week made a speech promising prosperity from the increased duties, has this week made one pointing out that under his tariff 50 per cent, of all imported articles come in free. That, he says, is a boon to Free-traders. Very true; but to tax a man's coat and then tell him that his buttons will be cheap may be strictly accurate, but is not very comforting to his purse. The Free-traders are, of course, alert and hopeful, but they have not yet discovered a good synonym for Free-trade, which is an unpopular expression. They should call it the "Tariff of the Pilgrim Fathers."
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