394 HISTORY OF THE GRANGE MOVEMENT; OR, 



Castor oil is about doubled in price by this system. 



The heaviest duties are levied upon articles of neces- 

 sity, upon the clothing, medicines and other necessities 

 of the poor. Upon articles of luxury the duties are 

 proportionately light. It is 90 per cent, on blankets, 

 and but 60 per cent, on silks. On flannels of the 

 quality used by working men for their underclothing, 

 the duty is almost prohibitory, while on the finer grades 

 it is comparatively light. On salt it has been within a 

 very recent period, 107 per cent. ; while on diamonds it 

 is only 10 per cent. 



Thus the burden falls upon the middle and poorer 

 classes, upon those who cannot afford to use luxuries. 

 The rich pay comparatively little ; it is the great mass 

 of toiling, struggling people that pay the enormous 

 tribute to the manufacturers. 



The burden falls upon the farmer with very great 

 force. Almost every article needed in the exercise of 

 his calling, besides those required for domestic con- 

 sumption, is taxed enormously. It is useless to go over 

 the whole list. A few instances are as follows : 



Subject to a duty 



or tax ad valorem 



in average. 



Per cent. 



Bar iron for a wagon 40 



Trace chains 60 



Iron for plows 42 



Steel for plows ' 30 



Iron for threshing machines and any other machines 42 



Steel for the same 32 



Horse-shoes and nails 35 



Horse-nigs or blankets 140 



Hope 



Harness 35 



Curry-combs 35 



Horse brushes 40 



Nails for his barn, duty on iron 42 



