Show ORAIiITY OF lEEPORTATIOITS The very heavy imports for April the receipts on which amounted to 24451 2174 have caused many papers to make rather uncomplimentary comments com-ments upon those who have made these impOrtations as though they were gUilty of a breach of moral duty at least if not an actual infraction of law Unquestionably there have been heavy importations in anticipation of a radical radi-cal change in tariff rates a change that rill make them much greater than at present But where is there any moral turpitude in this Importers have done their whole dutj to the government wheu they have complied with the laws law-s it exists there is nothing in law or morals that requires them to postpone their importations until the government govern-ment shall raise the tariff This vaunted Dingley bill is for the purpose of affording more protection to American producers at least So it declares de-clares in the preamble What are the importers doing Simply protecting themselves They know their interests better than the government can no matter how paternal It is i They are looking out for themselves without ask ing government assistance in this particular par-ticular instance They will show their appreciation of the governments course ih imposing higher tariff duties by charging an additional amount equal to the increased tariff when the new tariff gues into effect for the goods they are now importing These same importations which some deem BO iniquitous show as nothing else could how the tariff permits its beneficiaries to raise to the people the price of all dutiable articles As present importers can raise the price of their goods to the people above what they are now when the new tariff goes into operation opera-tion so can the domestic manufacturer raise the price of his products the amount of the tariff placed upon the same class of goods For any tariffite to complain of the immorality of making mak-ing importations now to avoid paying higher duties some weeks or months hence Is much the same thing as the devil quoting scripture I |