Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-03-29
THE INJUSTICE OF PROTECTION.


further claims that free trade would place
mechanics in this country on a level with
the pauper labor of Europe.
The Democratic party is not foe to
American industry, but the contrary. 1t
IS the foe to monopolies-as distinguished
from labor-is opposed to the taxation Of
the many for the enrichment of the few
1t does not believe that American indus
try needs ''protection" in the sense that
the term is employed, but is abundantly
able to protect itself at all times and
under all circumstances. Labor requires
protection against the encroachments of
capital only when capitalists are "pro-
tected" by the government to the extent
of taxing labor for their enrichment
American manufacturers have nothing
to fear from the encroachments of foreign
competition. For years past the products
of our looms and our lathes have been
placed on foreign markets to such an ex-
tent as to prove ruinous to foreign manu-
facturers. American edged tools, though
protected by our tariff laws, have long
been exported to England, France and
Germany, and are there sold at profit to
the manufacturers for less price than
they can be manufactured for in those
countries. Yet American artisans are
compelled to pay nearly fifty per cent.
more for the same articles purchased in
this country. American prints are sold
in Manchester and Liverpool cheaper
than prints of English make, but when
sold in this country bring about forty per
cent. more. Agricultural implements of
every description manufactured in the
United States are sold in every country
on the civilized globe for thirty to forty
per cent. less than in this country. If the
manufacturers can afford to pay the cost
of Transporting their goods to Europe and
sell them there for twenty-five to fifty
per cent. less than they receive here
and less than the same article can be
made for by the "pauper labor of
Europe"-it is very evident that
the prices here are altogether too high,
and it needs no argument to prove that
protection is unnecessary.
The duties levied for protection are
simply and solely bonus paid to Ameri-
can manufacturers that they do not need
the robbery of laboring men for the
benefit of the capitalists. No part of
the tax goes into the treasury of the
country. 1t is simply added to the pro-
fits of the home manufacturers. Here is
an instance in point: The tariff on linen
and thread hose during the year 1879
produced to the government hundred
and forty-seven dollars. The duty on
these articles is forty per cent. 0d oaIOrem
This duty has simply enabled the Ameri
can manufacturers TO charge dollar and
forty cents for each dollars worth Of
hose, while it has benefited the govern
ment not one iota, as the cost of collect
ing the tritiing revenue was far greater
than its amount Umbrellas, from which
| no revenue was received, are taxed at the
rate of sixty per cent, all of which goes
into the pockets of our home manufac-
turers. The makers of these articles, be 1t
remembered, are annually exporting large
| quantities to Europe and selling them
| there at reduction of more than fifty
per cent. from the prices charged here,
and at these prices make handsome
profit after deductng freights, insurance,
commissions of middle men and other
expenses to which they are not subject if
sold in this country.
These are but specimens of the entire
list of dutiable articles upon which tariff
for protection is levied The taxes re-
ceived from them do not pay the cost of
collection. They are simply in the nature
of legalization Of the robbery of Ameri-
can consumers. They affect every man,
woman and child in the country, for all
are compelled, nolens Uolens, to contribute
to the support of these monopolies. The
mass of the people derive no benefit
| whatever from these duties. They do
not assist in paying the expenses of the
government, for the taxes are so onerous
that importations are practically prohib-
tied. They are not necessary for the
maintenance of American manufacturers.
for it IS shown that America can compete
successfully with any nation on earth
The immense resources of this country,
coupled with the facilities for manufac-
| turing, more than counterbalances the
| difference in the cost of labor between
America and Europe.
Protection is a fallacy long since ex-
ploded. Our manufacturers can thrive
without it. They would not amass CO.
lossal fortunes in short time, as they
now do, yet they would be amply reward
ed both for their labor and their invest
ments But even if their profits are
small, the relief to the people would be
considerable. The principle of protec-
| ton is odious. Manufacturers have no
more right to expect tribute from the
people than have any other class of PEG
pie. An able bodied mechanic might
with as great propriety demand that a
tax be levied for the support of himself
and his family in idleness. This system
is opposed by the Democratic party,
which holds that tariff is justifable only
| as a means of proyidinp q revenue for