Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-05-27
Protection to American Indu stry.
M 9

Iu article number one said there is no ques
ton OF more importance to the people OF Vlr-
gnia than that of tariff sufficient to protect
her industries and vast mineral resources. 10
prove its truth without clause on which to
hang doubt, propose to 60 back to the very
foundation of the Federsl Government, and
show the results which big b and low tariffs
have exercised over the general affairs of the
country 1t can be shown by the correct his
tory of events; by official statistics, and COM
mercal and financial records that the tariff is a
nerfect Indicator of the condition of the coun-
try, and as much 80 as the th ermometer indi-
Gates the condition Of the weather. That un-
dgra protective policy the whole face of the
euuutry was re newed, as is that of nature by
the dawn Of Spring; that all the great interests
of the country were aroused to life; a vigorous,
steady growth was induced, and the happ mess
Of prosperous industry was dffused all over the
land.
AS early as 1890 the question of encouraging
American labor was discussed, and the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury was directed TO examine
and report upon the subject 10 1910 the sub
ect came up agap, and to supply the deficiency
in the revenue and prepare tor war, the duties
previously imposed upon imported goods were
doubled by an act of July 1872 This act, by
its own limitation, expired on the l7th Of Feb.
ruary. 1916. Under the influence Of this 'doub-
ling process" the march Of domestic manufac-
lures. which. from the peace OF 1888 to the
wear 1903, had been slow but steady, after that
perod became bold and rapid. Cotton manu-.
factories we're multiplying at the North; so
that, while in the year 1900 but 500 bales were
manufactured; in 1915 $4,000 we're reported;
capital of $40, ,000,O 900 was invested; employ
ment was given to more than 100000 persons;
and all the branches of agricultural and COM
mercial industry had received powerful stimu.
lus from the rapid and benefcent development
of the manufacturing resources OF the nation.
Such was the effect of the high tariff OF 1872;
and such was the operation of the tariff OF
1924; and such will always be the effect OF
tariff adequate to protect American industry
The state of the country from 1886 to 1872,
under low tariff, is still fresh in the memory
of those who were voters at that time. ln
1897, there we're but two or three iron works
10 operation in the whole State of Pennsylva-
MIA. The coal would not sell for enough to
pay for mining and transportation. The State,
90, or before that time, was compelled to repu::
date its State debt. Stagnation. poverty and
ruin stared every business man and laborer IN
the face from one end of the country to the
other. Then mark the sudden aud desirable
change of affairs under the high protective tar
if of 1912. How rapidly forges, furnaces, fac
tories, and machinery sprung into existence.
So popular was the policy of protection, that
even the Democratic party, in 1914, had to
proclaim that Mr.. Polk was in favor OF the tar
if Of 1872 10 order to secure his election. The
great the rich, the influential, and the pro
sressive States of to-day are the States which
favored, accepted. aud improved the advanta-
ges which the tariff of 1912 80 literally offered;
while those States which opposed, denounced,
rejected, and repudiated it's policy and protec-
tion are dwarts in comparison with giants
D. Il.