Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-09-05
A WORD 10 OUR MARYLAND. FRIENDS.


Have not the prices Of your produce been gradual
ly declining under its operationW
So asks the Baltimore Argus. SO reasons the
Locofoco press generally.
Now it is the easiest thing in the world to give
to these questions plain answer, and one which
will satisfy any unprecedented mind.
When, in 1916, Mr.. CALHOUN was the advocate
of protective tariff, he urged the measure because
It would build up home market and favor Amer-
people. That, no doubt, was the tendency of his
measures and of the policy which had his fostering
care. He aimed, first, to open new market for the
sale of cotton; he would have sure and certain
home trade in the article, and not be dependant on
the caprice Of single set of customers who were
three thousand miles off; but he aimed also to
withdraw from agriculture portion of the labor
then bestowed upon the productions of the field, and
thus, while he caused portion of this cotton to be
manufactured in the country, to open in like man
ner new market for the superabundant harvests
IF wheat and corn which the farmers of the coun-
try produced.
Now who can deny that this was wise and
staesmanlike policy 1t has at least the evidence
of experience in its favor. When the rates of duty
have been high, the manufacturers have been ena-
bled to employ many hands and pay good prices,
both for labor and for the food for wbicl they sup.
piled market. Then, it may be said, as a general
remark, both they and the farmers and the country
prospered. When the duties have been reduced,
the wages of labor have invariably fallen, prices Of
lan de hove
bankruptcies have followed, and the national faith
become furnished. We need only go back to the
years 1910 and lS4l to be furnished with full proof
of the truth Of this assertion,
But, let us see how tariff benefits people. In
the first place it furnishes TO them the best capital
they can possibly enjoy-the means and the rewards
Of labor. Why are the Shakers prosperous com
munity! Because they industrious. Yhey
furnish employment to all their members. They
produce much from their lands, their looms, and
their workshops, which they dispose of in market
apgood prices they buy little Their support and
their clothing are derived from their own diversified
labors.
For the maintenance of the poor in any comnu-
nifty, the best philosophy as well as the truest char
ity is to furnish them with the means of labor not
10 giue them Bread but to let them earn it.
If this is true in regard to the extreme case of
paupers is it false reasoning when applied not to
The poor in the legal acceptatlon Of the word but to
such as cannot buy lands To benefit them you
must employ them and give them wages This is
what tariff enables the manufacturers to do
Now, let the FARMERS OF MARYLAND see an illus
'ra,ien Of this benefit on their own soil We ask
their attention to the practical effects of manufacture
ing exhibited by the LAUREL FACTORY, in Prince
Georges county.
That region Of country is Familiarity known to all
who have been in the habit of travelling between
Washington and Baltimore. Ten years ago it was
barren region incapable as its proprietor very for
chilly expressed it. of producing even poverty grass
lis assessable value, and hard bargain at that
was So the acre. But it had moderate but ne
elected water poDer, which the enterprising and
intelligent owner conceived the idea of turning to
account. In 1895 he obtained from the Legislature
Of Maryland charter, and caused cotton factory
TO be erected on nook of this barren land In its
infancy this factory struggled with difficulties in
the disastrous years of 1887 and 1888 its patrons had
nearly yielded to the blast which, with malign ef-
feet swept over the land but, hoping almost against
hoFe, they firmly resolved to proceed Amidst
much embarrassment they held on their course,
till at length the benign tariff act of 1912 gave them
a welcome relief.
Now look at the results. Where not habita- |
ton stood before, village has grown up of two
thousand inhabitants. Numerous welI-built stone
and brick houses and stone church have been
erected; community of Christian worshippers
have been collected, schools established and all the
external symbols Of thriving population meet
the eye The lands which were desert before are
verdant now, yielding exubefaht harvests, and the
acres which were dear at FIVE dollars an acre Tor
merry, cannot be purchased at fifty dollars an acre
now. the neighboring farmers have eggs and
poultry, corn, wheat, butter, and meats to dispose
oil, they Ind here, almost at their own DOORS a ready
market and good prices. But, more than ALL and
this is the glory Of the establishment, it gives en-
ployment TO the poor, to such as need il: and il
gives prompt and liberal pay.
The Laurel factory employed, the last wear. in
It's various departments. $50 hands 1t paid for
labor the following amounts, viz:
In the cotton department. ..... 81, 946 is
In the iron ditto, (machno shop).. $4,000 90
For labor IN the village ....... 5000 90
For salaries TO agent, treasurer, and
clerks ...................... l0, 500 90
- S93,446 is
II paid for cotton. ........... s4,2l5 90
OR iron. cppl- md unh An