Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-06-21
THE DEMOCRAT AND PROTECTION"

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We are glad our neighbor Of the Democrat has
at last attempted to argue upon the protective poll
cy, instead of STIRRING it. We only regret that he
should think personally offended y because we
propounded him two or three pretty hard questions
questions which his wire-drawp, Van Burenish
article obscures rather than answers II affords as
much qualification that he fit to copy our piece
entire we would return the compliment did we
not feel too much charity for our readers.
We here profess our willingness to enter into a
"gentlemanly, candid" discussion of this principle
of protection to domestic manufactures; and be-
sides giving sound arguments, incontestble facts,
and the opinions Of the greatest statesmen our
country has produced in its favor, we will try TO
spare neighbors sensbilities by not Poking ALL
his 'iallacies too plainly into public view.
| We repeat it-protecton to the manufacturer
does reduce the price of the manufactured article.
In the matter of shocks and eyes" we cannot as
certain with certainty what the duty is upon them
we believe, however, il is 80 per cent. Gd raiO-
rem In the 9TH section of the tariff act of 1912,
seventh specification that amount of duty is mpo-
sed upon all plated manufactures of iron tin, brass,
&c, not otherwise specifed and cannot
find hooks and eyes elsewhere mentioned, we pre-
not learn after a laborious search, that any duty
imposed upor them prior TO 1912; and il such
is the case the recent fall in the price of the article
is fully accounted for. The ample encouragement
afforded by the Of 1912 has raised up factories in
this country-shielded them from European com
petition, and secured them steady market. The
manufacturer was thereby enabled 10 make cslcu-
latons, plan and perfect machinery, and undertake
the business without living in daily fear Of
whelming importation. The pin manufacture has
almost entirely grown up within few years, and
the price fallen than one half-siRee prOtee-
tire duty imposed. Why should not that of
hooks and eyes Until our neighbor can tell US
why the price has fallen from 81 80 to 20 cents
since protection began, and why it remained sta
tionSry before, shall consider the point settled
We care not whether duties imposed be-
fore or after the manufacture of article had
commenced. 1t is enough for us-enough for any
one who will trust TO undoubted facts rather than
windy theories-that such article never fell IN price
until duty upon it had raised up aided domes-
tic manufactures, and given them equal
better chance than the foreign produce. Labor
and skill may be very pretty things to talk about
but what can labor and skill do in contest with
suppose a Casa very common one, too, in the
past history Of American mechanical industry.
certain article is wholly supplied us by foreign
manufacturer. Some enterprising Yankee "reck-
ons' he make il as cheap as il is now sold,
and commences producing il on as large scale
the means he can command will allow. He pros
pers for short time, affording his manufacture at
the usual price. But the foreign manufacturer,
finding market partly taken up, lowers his price
in order to drive his competitor here from the field.
The Yankee, finding himself undersold, and de-
pending entirely upon his profits for subsistence, is
compelled TO give up the business. Then the for
eign manufacturer, having secured the market
again 10 himself, raises the price 10 its old standard
and by a continued monopoly makes up his tempo
rary loss.
But 10 protective duty is imposed-and the
Yankee having the vantage ground, at least an
equal footing, can make the article steadily cheap
as his rival. BY and by Improvements and new
inventions (none Of which would ever have been
thought Of had not protective duty afforded scope
for their use, that protection does in fact affect
the inventor, though Indirectly are introduced,
and the price OF the article falls in proportion to the
facility and cheapness with which it is manuactu.
itu ocutucent inuueuCe OF the thTiH.
Is not this plain case II is precisely the same
view took of this subject in our first article,
carried out little more fully. And our neighbor,
with all his plausbility and pretended candor will
find it hard matter TO substsntate by facts or fair
arguments, the position that manufactures are rs
well without as with protection.
IL our neighbor thinks we have not taken due
notice of all his positions will retrace our steps
when he makes it clear that "ihe increased profit
at lower price by reason of increased sales" 1--WE
quote the idea rather than the words is encourage
ment enough TO build factories, hire hands, and
commence operations, and yet no inducement at
all to make Improvements and bring into use new
inventions. In other words, that the same ''pros-
pec,ive compensation" which leads a farmer 10 bun
and stock an estate, will have weight when the
question OF charging and Improving comes up!
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