Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-01-18

a population nearly twenty per cent.
greater in 1869 than in 1861. the exports
were nearly one hundred millions Of dol
lars less. The loss Of exports in special
articles. such as boots and shoes and the
manufactures of wood. iron and wool.
show the disastrous effect of the tariff
upon those interests. and consequently
upon our commerce generally. So long
as we cannot obtain the raw mate rails for
manufacturing at the lowest rates we can-
not compete in selling with other nations.
We must increase the demand for shipping
as well as reduce the cost Of shipbuilding.
by revision of the whole tariff. II We
would restore the shipping Interest. A
partial remedy is no remedy, for it will
only produce embarrassment. lfCongIess
will discuss the question in this light the
way TO the relief of the shipbuilder and
the shipowner will be easily found; other
wise il will simply demonstrate once more
how not to find IL.
We nave devoted SO much space TO the
argument of an able advocate of a free
trade tariff, that we might give in brief,
the views of Judge Kelley on the other
side: The view which the Judge takes
and others like him is as follows:
The existing tariff is highly protective.
With larger free list of raw materials
than ever before, the rate of duty averages
about forty per cent: yet our imports are
vastly in excess of any former year. How
are we TO account for this paradox? Thus:
We are prosperous and prosperous peo-
pie will CRAFTY their desires. The value
of our foreign imports during the last fiscal
year was nearly - per cent. greater than
those of any former year. In the year
ending June 30 1866 they amounted to
SLASH ,oy6. but did not again attain this
magnitude until that which ended June
ISL. during which they exceeded il by
one hundred million. This increased inn
portation surprises no intelligent protec-
ZIONIST. II but confirms his theory that
protection is the pIth,ody TO free trade that
a well protected AMI generous home mar
ket /. the only basis on which extended
foreign trade can be maintained When,
a l. the case at present. customs aud duties
are so adjusted a. 10 countervail the lower
rate Of wages and interest prevailing in
! competin. countries. increased importa-
! tons do not come % they would under
! a free trade. to undermine ami destroy our
! industries. but TO supplement them. Our
productive power increases moro rapidly
| than our imports, and we are producing
each year a greater percentage of our total
consumption. But rapid as Is the increase
of our productive power. such l. our
general prospesity that our ability To
purchase and consume tasks II 10 its utmrst
in all departments save that of farming.
In closing the Introduction. Judge
Kelley says:
In advocating such system OF pretec-
ton a would enable orr miners and manu-
facturers to pay wages and sufficiently
liberal to induce skilled workmen TO inn
migrate and TO enable them TO become
! liberal consumers. have believed that
was asserting and defending the rights o.
the A.se,icaa far1;e! to market for hi'
crops &c.
We have given liberal extracts from thu
work OF the Judge. and also quoted from th'
Evening Post TO show the views. to som'
extent Of both sides Of the question. o.
course. this will give the reader only 1
very smalI part OF the arguments used. bu
il may lead intelligent .nGuIrers to Obtain
al! that is necessary Oh each side to form :
correct opinion for themselves. Ana a
this i the greatest question: before tn
American people. ii is Important that W.
should all understand il a well a. tn
discussions and statistical fact. will ADM
of. Like the financial problem Of III
country. there will be diverse views a. 4
what l. tie hest colrse. 70 pVrsue- ~ ~
inclined 10 free trade notions. but never
theless We have perused this book OF judi.
kelley's with great deal of pleasure an,
proht We wish all reading voters had
copy of the work. aud also something O,
the other side eguaIy full and equal,
able
May we not hope that the coming Pre,i
DENTAL campaign will De characterized b,
discussions of such vital questions a. tariff
and finance. rather than to degenerat,
into mere deGiau.atio,ls about miner and
unilnportant matters
This work of Judge Kelley Is published
in Philadelphia. by Henry Cary Baird. 400
Walnut Street