Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-09-15

The exports and imports of gold and
silver are net, and as to 1880 are for
only eleven months ending May 81.
The merchandise imports and exports
for the year just closed, and some items
of production, are estimated from trade
returns. These comparisons might be
indefinitely extended, but surely more
are not needed to call attention to the
enormous expansion of industry and
trade within the past twenty years.
The quantity of cotton produced is the
only item in which there has not been
an increase far greater than that of
population, and the crop of 1879-'8O
was exceptionally large. Compared
with any crop raised prior to that year,
the crop of 1879-'80 shows an increase
of over forty-two per cent. Moreover,
our ability to market cotton is limited
by the growth of the demand for that
product In other countries, and thus has
no proper relation to the increase of our
own population. But the conduct of
affairs under Republican rule has been
such that vastly increased quantities of
other products have not only been pro-
duced, but marketed with profit. Our
own people are 80 much more prosper
GUS that they buy about 100 per cent.
more goods from abroad than they did
under Democratic rule, and their indus
try has been so encouraged and de-
ve1oped that they produce, in excess of
all their greatly wants, and
export to foreign countries. 164 per cent.
more than they did at that time.
The consequence is shown in the last
of no to1 Tn,
Democratic policy, we had to pay out all
the specie which we produced, and a
little more, to meet the excess of imports
over exports. In 1880, under Repub-
hcan policy, we not only raise from the
earth seventy three per cent. more of the
precious metals, but keep it all, and i'm
port beside from foreign countries
S75, 100000 in eleven months to pay
for the excess of our exports over
imports. In 1860, raising $46,OOO,OOO
of specie, we were paying out $58,O00,-
OO0, and getting poorer or running into
debt every year. In 1880, raising $780,
100000 of specie, we are also receiving
for our surplus products sold, $75, 000,-
900 more in specie, and so are paying
debt or accommodating wealth at the rate
of $155, 100000 year. The difference
is one which every intelligent man under
stands is due almost entirely to the
changed policy OF the government in re-
gard to finances, taxation, development
of industries, and substitution of free for
slave labor.
Thees are few evidences of the won
derful changes which Republican rule
has wrought in the condition OF the
country. They are felt in the better
employment which labor finds, in the
higher wages which the workman re-
ceives, in the innumerable comforts that
he now enjoys, which twenty years ago
were not within his reach, and in the
vast increase of wealth, of comfortable
homes, and of thriving farms. They
are seen in the fact that LII, 900 immi-
grants of better class than ever before
landed at this city during the past six
months. The question comes home to
the personal interests of every voter:
Are we so sick of the marvellous pro-
gress and matchless prosperity of the
country under Republican rule that we
waut to go back to Democracy and its
practical results