The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1870-12-15
PROTECTION.

class who cent their bread in the sweat OF
their brow" cling, with death-like tenacity, to
their pet theory of protective tariff, which
operates not equally alike upon all, but benefits
the rich and still further impoverishes the
poor, The interests of the mionares and
manufacturers of the East, and of railroad and
steamship monopolies, seem to engross the
whole time and attention of our public SER
wants at the National Capital. The protection
of what they falsely term "home industry"
against competition from foreign productions,
in the nature of manufactured goods, is but a
pretext to favor capital as against labor. II
their theory is based truly upon the doctrine of
protection to home industry,-is right in prin-
ciple, and is designed to accomplish the great.
est good to the greatest number, which should
be the aim aud object ot every measure under
any form of Government, then the tariff laws
should be SO framed as to operate equally alike
upon all classes, and not be SO framed as to
render the "rich richer and the poor poorer"
The manufacturer of cotton aud wooden
goods insists upon heavy duty being laid on
all imported articles OF similar character to
those he has for sale, and upon all such us are
liable to come in competition with those OF his
OWN manufacture.
The iron monger and steel manufacturer in
sists upon like protection. which is equivalent
to levying blackmail on the people, who are
consumers, in order 10 line the pockets" aud
increase the profits of capitalists who invest
their surplus funds in manufactures.
The boot and shoe factories ot Massachu-
setts have proven prolific sources of wealth to
the owners through the means of Radical pro-
lection; while labor groans under the heavy
burdens Imposed on il through the enforcement
of this selfish and short-sighted policy
The favored classes, in order TO increase
their already enormous profits upon goods OF
home production. canvass the markets Of the
world aud buy their labor at the lowest price
TOR which the same can be obtained iu any
quarter of the habitable globe. paying TO tariff
ar duty upon the importation of the same, and
bring such labor in competition with that of
our own race and Kindred. If the capitalist
and manufacturer has the rgh; to buy his labor
in the lowest market. why has not the laborinc
man an equal right TO buy his goods in the low
est market also' No good reason can be given
why the rule should not work both ways
Railroad companies. boot and shoe manufac-
turers. and other rich corporations. are en-.
gagged in importing Coole labor.-the lowest
ands of Cinnamon are obtaining employment
throughout the country upon the theory that
cheap labor is benefit to the country. an as
sumption as false as that of giving away to mo.
nopolies millions of acres of the public laads
being benefit and an advantage to those seek
ing h0mestea9s on the national domain
If it is right to protect the home manufnc
turer against competition of foreign imports
BY heavy tariff, then it is equally right, and
matter of simple justice that the same pro.
lection should be extended to home labor
against the runous competition resulting from
the importation of Chinese For every China.
man employed, a white man or woman is
thrown out Of employment We do not want
cheap labor, nor do we require it. It benefits
the capitalist alone, and impoverishes the
working classes OF our own people. The capi-
talist should receive fair profit upon his in.
vestments, and the laborer who "s worthy of
his hire" should receive fair remuneration
for his services.
If anything requires protection, il is labor
for capital, IN all countries and in every age,
has been able to protect itself The "cheap
labor" movement has made more converts to
the free trade policy than has anything else
during the last quarter of century. Repub.
licans are deserting their high tariff theory in
favor Of tariff for revenue only, in the hope
of staying the tide of Democracy which is |
sweeping over the country; but all their efforts |
to stop the revolution In public sentiment will
prove futile, for the people have become thor
oughly aroused and have resolved that they
will have change of rulers rs well as change
of policy The laboring classes are beginning
to have lively appreciation of the dangers
which threaten them from this "jug.handled" "
protective tariff policy, which favors and fos.
ters capital by degrading white labor, and the
recent elections clearly indicate that they have
resolved to no longer place confidence in the
promises and pledges Of the Radical party
IL. - /