The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
The Injustice OF Protection.

The Democratic party is a foe to
American industry, says Chicago
Mahonian paper. And then it pro-
ceeds to argue in favor of 1.-THE wise
policy of protection" inaugurated and
maintained by the Republican party,
claiming that without the protection
afforded by tariff duties on imports of
manufactured articles, our manufac-
lures would languish and die. 1t fur
ther 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 distin-
guished from labor-is opposed to the
taxation of the many for the enrich
ment of the few, 1t does not believe
| tection'' Id the sense that the term is
employed, but is abundantly able to
protect itself at all times and under all
circumstances. Labor requires pro-
| lection against the encrOachments of
capital only when capitalists are 'pro-
tected" by the government to the ex-
| tent of taxing labor for their enrich
ment.
American manufacturers have moth
ing to fear from the encroachments of
foreign competition. For years past
lathes have been placed on foreign
markets to such an extent as to prove
ruinous to foreign manufacturers
American edged tools, though protect
ed by our tariff laws, have long been
exported to England, France and Ger
many, and are there sold at profit to
the manufacturers for a less price than
they can be manufactured for in those
countries. Yet American artisans are
oorn all cd tn now naarlv fiftv nor cont
more for the same articles purchased
in this country. American prints are
sold in Manchester and Liverpool
cheaper than prints of English makes
but when sold in this country bring
| about forty per cent. more. Agricul-
tural 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. 1fthe manufac-
turers can afford to pay the cost of
I 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 Eu-
rope"-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 a bonus paid to
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 profits of the home manufacturers.
Here is an instance in point: The
tariff on linen and thread hose during
the year 1879 produced to the govern
ment hundred and forty-seven dol
lars. The duty on these articles is
forty per cent. ad ualorem. This duty
has simply enabled the American man
ufacturers to charge dollar and forty
cents for each dollars worth of hose,
while it has benefited tile government
not one iOta, as the cost of collecting
the trifiing 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 manufacturers. The makers of
these articles, be it remembered, are
annually exporting large quantities to
Europe and selling them there at re-
ductiOn of more than fifty per. CEN.
from the prices charged here, and ut
these prices make q handsome profit
after deducting freight, 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 en-
tire list of dutiable articles upon which
tariff for protection is levied. The
taxes received from them do not pay
the cost of collection. They are SIM
ply in the nature of-a lexalIZation of
the robbery of American consumers.
They affect every man, woman aud
child in the country, for all are COM
PEELED, ROlenS uoleRS, to contribute to the |
support of these mOEOpOlies. The i
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 oner-
Gus that importatiOns are practically |
prohibited. They are not necessary
for the maintenance of American man
ufacturers, for it is shown that Amer
lea can compete successfully with any
nation ON earth. The immense re-
sources OF this country, coupled with |
the facilities for manufacturing, more |
than counterbalances the differep ce in =
the cost of labor between America and |
Europe.
Protection is f;.llacy long sine. ex-
ploded. Our manufacturers can thrive |
without it. They would not amass
colossal fortunes in short time, as
they now do, yet they would be amply
rewarded both for their labor and their ,
Investments. But even if their profits
are small, the relief to the peop pie
would be considerable. The principle
of protection is odious. Manufactur-
ers have no more right to expect tri-
butte from the people than have any
other class of people. An able bodied
mechanic might with as great propri-
ETY. demand that a tax be levied ftr