Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-07
@iSceIlans0ua.
RESULT OF PROTECTION-A COMPETENT
WITNESS.

A few items as to the results of protec-
ton to American industry may not be out
OF place here. The Russia, whence have
just landed, had. like most all ships from
Europe, but small amount of manufac-
tured goods on freight. The agent at
Queenstown told me their freights out
ward hardly paid for the handling, while
they were crammed with produce and
American articles inward at high rates.
"How are we to pay for these prOdigious
American imports" said our good Cap
tain Cook, "bothers me-" On board the
steamer were several Englishmen. COM
ing with their capital to erect mills for
customers and 10 be numbered among our
home consumers-most remarkable among
all. the representatives of an iron compa-
ny alone, with f500. 600 capital, to erect
blast furnaces and iron works In East Ten
nessee. Another was associate in one Of
the large English carpet ablishments,
and said his firm was going TO erect o mill
here. Some Sheffield people told me that
two large cutlery establishments were in
course of erection by Shefield manufac-
turers in this country; that after import
ing from us knife-blades for English cut.
lery they were coming to profit by our
more intelligent labor and labor-saving
machinery which their work-unions pro-
hibited the use of at home. ! could null
tiply similar instances; In fine, have thus
incidentally learned of six large manufac-
turing establishments erecting north, or
about to be. with English capital
Again. a gentleman from New Zealand
on board told me that he landed thence at
San Francisco by the monthly steamer
with POS passengers on their way to Eng
land. mostly to buy goods; that, attracted
by the superiority of cheapness Of the
American articles, he had purchased some
on his way through Che mentioned large
invoice OF crosscut saws among other
things), but now had returned to COM
plete purchases of manufactured goods
for his New Zealand trade, which
he could make no better advantage here
than in his former market-EnglAnd-
which he remarked seemed to have made
no Improvement in twenty years compared
with the progress here; and he said with
a sigh that the probability was their pso-
pie would soon abandon England for their
supplies. which, he added, We could more
advantageously furnish to them; and, to
complete the picture. an English apostle
of free trade was on his way over to en-
tighten us TO the prejndice-this time In
humanitarian point OF view-caused by
our villainous protective laws. -
have been in this centre of manufac-
turing industry of Connecticut, the Naug-
atuck valley. but thirty-six- hours. and
what have learned here is more wonder
tul still as to the good results of protec-
tion to our people and manufacturers.
The first three men met in the streets
had each TO tell me tale Of unexpected
orders from England for their products
exhibited at the Centennial Meeting Ia
ter. at friends Office, number of man
ufacturers, and making inquiries on this
subject, came to the conclusion On their
statements that. of the 100 or $50 different
articles of manufacture In this valley.
one-third, and perhaps one half, were now
in demand or salable abroad where but
two or three were twenty years ago.
What more amazed me was the fact given
by one of them, that friend of bis had
received recent order from England for
portable steam engines. 1--WE Rave them
cheaper here" wrote his correspondent,
'but yours are better, and better made"
There were several very intelligent En-
glish manufacturers on board, with whom
l conversed on this painful subject Of the
loss of their markets with US. All admit
ted that protection had commenced the
work which had been completed by the
superior intelligence and inventive spirit
of our workmen, which is stimulated to
produce labor-saving machines, which
their English trades unions will not per-
init to work, and anticipated serious CON-
petition from us in other markets.
a letter Oct. 2l 1876 of Hon. Henry s.
Sanford 10 Ihurlot0 Weed. t