The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-04-06

FalIacy Of Protection.

IfOW O0VlO "A. WellS on the failure OF u
high tariff in the United States, which was
read before a committee of the parlia-
ment of the Dominion of Canada last
Tuesday:
So far from the recent experience and
present industrial condition Of the Uni
ted States constituting any argument in
favor of protection as a national fiscal
policy, the fact is that when Jul industri-
val history since 1865 ONE to be made
IA work which l hope to do within the
present Year,, it will constitute one Of
The most powerful, and | may say ap-
;palling, arguments against protection
which could possibly be imagined. OF
course in a single letter l cannot discuss
any point fnlly, but in a brief I will state
our situation.
During the war, under the necessity
Of imposing taxes of every description,
the protectionists obtained full control
of the Legislative part of the government.
There was absolutely no opposition to
their vie VS., and consequently we have
tried protection tor eleven years, reck-
oning from the close of the war, under
the most favorable circumstances, the
average duties from 1865 to 1870 having
been 48 1-2 per centum on all dutiable
imports, and III per centum OF all i'm
ports, which average on dutiable lm-
ports by reduction on q few things has
aimee 1870 been reduced to about 40 per
Centum. There has been nothing like
this in our previous history. There has
been nothing like it in the previous his
tory. of the country, and now what has
been the result?
It cannot be contradicted when L say
there is not one industry manufacturing
IN the United States, not enjoying pat
ents or something similar, which is to
day prosperous, and those industries
which have enjoyed the greatest measure
of protection, IS now petltlonlng con-
gress to increase the rates. Wool and
wooden which in 1867 met by their re-
representatives. in convention and DELHI
erately framed rates varying from 100 to
$50 per cent. which rates as expressed
by their committees congress adopted
without any alteration. have suffered to
such an extent that it looks almost as if
the whole business of wool manutactOr
ing in the United States was swept out
of existence, eight of the largest wooden
mills of the country having changed
u lCOO al ltoo CtetI ~ PCT OCAt. Oh
the dollar of their cost, the last sale of
An extensive mill within 80 miles of New
York city in May. 1875, having realized
but $4,000 for $1,000 paid in. The
product of wool east of the Mississippi
has greatly decreased, while the price OF
fine Ohio and Pennsylvania woods is Is
cents per poundless to-day than the av.
erage market price paid from 1893 to
1860. under q tariff that admitted wool
free OF all import duties.
Iron, paper, flax, and other great in
dustrics are in a like. though, with the
exception %ofiron. in not quite so bad a
condition. Probably one halt Of the
iron furnaces of the country and one.
quarter of the paper mills have suspend.
cd production. In the manufacture of
boots and shoes one man will now, with
the aid OF machinery, do as much work
~ three could in 1860. and yet boots and
shoes are much higher to day in gol 4
than they were in 1860. And our ex-
port ot them TO other countries is less
than it WAS under low duties.
In New England. where protection
has been especially taught. many per
sons trained to manufacturing pursuits
are reduced almost to the point of star.
vation. In New York city Il petition
has recently beer presented to the COM
mon council. by the B%ricklayers' and
five thousand members. asking for work
and avering that their only alternative is
tho poor house or the ~workhouse.
Our commerce hiss been swept from
the ocean and shows no sign of resuscit.
alton. and our export of cotton goods,
OF which you speak as an asserted indi.
cation Of our industrial prosperity, i:
really an indication to the contrary. Fol
yvhe export has become possible only
through y reduction OF cost. effected b,
. reduction OF the price of labor. which
the lahorers have been compelled t.
assent 70 for the reason it was that o
starvation. 1t is in no sense a health,
legitimate transaction. and rs il is. ",
are not exporting more that \ fourth il
value of what We were IN 1860.
The explanation of all this is just this
Wehave protected everything. with To
result OF increasing the cost OF ali dom
este production. This has annexed II
TO our own market and smothered us i
our own grease; for abundant as OIL
products, no one will buy of US ii he Ca
eisvhere buy cheaper. All prices has
ing advanced the different protecte
manufactures have acquired no specia
advantages or protection. Advancin
for exam lie. the cost OF iron or cope,
as raw materials has neautraliZed tn
protection on the manufactures OF iro
and copper. ard inability 10 sell at hig
prices has. in turn. arrested production
Starting with this proposition. that "
won't buy of foreign nations, we hav
been naturally unable TO sell. for be VII
won't buy can't sell any more than b
VINO won't sell can't buy.
Finally. we have encouraged our pc,
PIE - do Improbable work. II the fta
ran can bring marble 20 New Orlear
tor one dollar per tonb because ne has 9,
Anaturh water course all the way, IN
il cost the Vermont quarryman ten do
lars 10 carry his marble 10 the san
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