Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-05-07
Free Trade and Our Iron Interests.

The census shows how important are
the iron industries of the country and
the strength that the tariff people have
in their hands for protection. There
were last year in the country 1,O05 es-
Establishments, an increase of 1877 in ten
years. This is very significant when it
is considered that i'm 1870 we were i'm
full tide of prosperity, and that the five
crisis years not only stopped any in
crease but broke up half the iron men
in the country. That we have recovered
the loss and made an actual gain is re-
markable, especially when it is cOnsid-
cred that the revival covered period of
but two years ere this census report was
taken. More than that the size and ca
pacity of the works average far more
than in 1870, so that the increase is real
ly more than it appears. The enormous
sum of 1921, 100000 is invested in iron
works, a gain of $109,200OO0 in ten
years. The census shows also that Col
OradO, Nebraska and Kansas have gone
into the iron working since 1870 and
also Utah and Wyoming, with every
prospect of a decided and steady in
crease. In this state we have a little
over 40 per cent of the entire interest,
while Ohio ranks next; after which
comes New York, New Jersey and Mary
land. To show how the west is inclin-
ing to iron manufacture it is sufficient
to state that Missouri, Michigan, Wis
cOnsin and Indiana come next. The
south is making astonishing progress,
especially the border states. In this
statement there is very abundant mater
ial for the reflection on the part of the
free traders. 1t is fact that needs no
demonstration that where the iron in
dustry goes tariff ideas follow. The east
is for tariff, and the free traders built
their hopes in the west and south. But
the tariff interest makes steady inrOads
upon these sections. 1t is natural that
it should; where the mineral industries
are developed. Where mines are opened,
the forge and mill follow. To do well
they need protection. The owner and
workman both know this, and as prOtec-
ton is bread and butter to one and prof
it to the other, they will stand up most
stOutly for it, and if they have been free
traders before, their own interests will
speedily convert them. This lesson was
realized by the Democracy in the presi-
Dental election. Both Indiana and Ohio
were undoubtedly carried by the Repub-
licans on the tariff platform. Ten years
ago such platform would have injured
the Republican party if made the lead
ing issue. But the western states are
changing rapidly from their positions
as solely agricultural communities. AS
manufactures increase, as mines are
opened new interests spring up, and, as
we have said, where there are manufac-
lures there will be found tariff ideas.
Nothing will stop this in the west. 1t
is a section inconceivably rich in miner
al resources, and the party that opposes
their development must fall. Even the
south will change. AS the people find
new interests brought by manufactures,
and the issues of the negro and of the
rebellion fade away, the tariff issue will
come forth very prominently. In fact
we are destined to be the manufacturing
center of the world and anything that
concern the interest will be the main is
sue of our pOlitics.-Philadelphia Day.