The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-01-14
The Wool Tariff.
by WALLACE MYGATT.

products OF Agriculture, ana transports
them to the points where they are most
needed-the man who brings to the door
of the agriculturist the clothing and the
agricultural tools required for his service,
as the most useful member Of society.
That middle men are useful to society
there can be no question; but il what re-
spect are they more useful than the indus
trious and intelligent agriculturist, the
educated and honorable professional man,
or the enterprising manufacturer A di-
vision of labor is the essential requisite of
civilization.
The power loom, which has done so
much to augment wealth and economize
labor, was not the invention of a mechan-
ic, but was invented by literary man, en-
gagged in his studies; therefore it is to be
noticed that men engaged wholly in lite
rary pursuits have made substantial con-
trib,S ons to the general convenience and
wealth of the world.
1t followsas consequence, that all pref
udice against one portion of our common
country becruse it is largely engaged in
manufacturing pursuits, or against anoth-
er because it is engaged largely in agri-
cultural pursuits, is not entitled to re-
spect The obscure mechanic in his shop,
the scientific man in the seclusion of his
closet have built up monuments of indus
try that have cast their benignant shad-
ows over the land.
Laying aside all prejudice against the
different classes of employment, and no.
ticlng that whatever depresses one branch
of industry, must necessarily unfayorably
influence Others, we shall consider in what
condition our manufacturers are placed in
reference to other nations of the world
A portion of the press of the United
States, and among them some occupying
influential positions, even in the Republi
can party, leave no opportunity unim
proved, for advocating withdrawal of
protection from the most important of all
our industrial employments. But for that
fact, a discussion of this question might
not be opportune at this moment.
If we are to be successful competitors
with the nations of the world in the man.
ufacture of articles of utility, we must
have either low rates of interest and cheap
labor, or protection. All reasonable men
would prefer protection to cheap labor
and low rates of interest are to be con.
summated, only by accumulations of
wealth, and legislative enactment. shall
notice after while what nations are, and
what nations are not likely to have accu-
mutations of wealth.
If the manufacturers of the United
States pay 10 or 10 per cent. interest for
the use of money, against to 4 per cent.
paid by the manufacturers of England, the
difference in the rates Of interest alone
would pay the cost of transporting most
articles of English manufacture, 10 the
markets of the United States, and thus in
the absence of a protective duty, virtually
close the doors of all our manufacturing
blishments.
A few years ago Wisconsin had sur.
plus of free-trade politicians, and it hap
pened unfortunately that they made their
impress upon the legislation of the State.
Among other dognas of this class was free
trade in money. Supply would equal de-
mand, they said and thus by legislative
enactment, the usury law was repealed,
and every business man was left to
make his own bargain for the forbearance
Of money. Interest soon a lvanced to 25asd
80 per cent per annum, and continued
steadily at that rate during the entire pc
Rod that the State was adrift, without
guide or compass, upon this question. All
Legitimate bankers were driven out of the
State, for under such an anamolous state
of things, if thousands could borrow, only
few could pay, and the bank assets at
the end of the year, would consist. not of
money, but of farms, stocks ofgoods, hors-
es, cattle and household furniture.
The enormous rates of interest in Wis
consin enabled the manufacturers of sur
rounding States to undersell our manufac-
turers IN their owR markets, and one i'm
portant manufacturing establishment at
Kenosha transferred its business and nu
merous employees to Chicago, another to
Detroit, where by fixed laws money could
be obtained at not exceeding 10 to 10 per
cent and supplied their Wisconsin Gus
toners from those places The same