The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1882-01-20
TEXAS AND THE TARIFF.

The protectionists of the New
England states are reported as greatly
elated over the discovery tha, free
trade ideas are not as popular in the
south as was once the case-that
even southern democrats ss are comir O.
TO believe that tariff may exist fer
some other purposes than revenue
'n!y." We have before us now 8
newspaper account of a recent inter-
new with Representative Kelley.
hartman of the house committee ON
| ways and iNeans, wherein he felici-
tates himself on the prospect that the
spirit OF protection is growing rapid
ly throughout the south, promising to
convert southern congressman into
quite conservative and cautious MEM
bers with reference to tariff changes.
We quote few sentences from the
interview:
lis the sentiment in favor of protection con-
lineu to any locality in the south?'' was asked.
by no means. Texas is at present the
strongest protective southern state; she wants
her vast wool growing interests protected; I;
Georgia Is next, Alabama next, and South Car
olina fourth in the order; but the sentiment is
rapidly growing. except in one state, and that
is Kentucky. l don't think Kentucky will ever
be in favor of protection, beyond three gentle
men in Louisville, and one in another portion
of Kentucky, haye not heard from any citI-
zen of that state In favor of protection, but the
rest of the south is rapidly moving onward "
To some extent Mr.. Kelley Judges
accurately, with reference to Texas,
at least. We have not the data at
hand to estimate, with absolute
accuracy, the amount of capital IN
vested in wool growing in this state.
out II Is not.a dollar less than $25, ,00O.-
coo, and it is increasing proportion
ately, with greater rapidity than any
other industry, save agriculture.
Within five years, at the ratio
of increase exhibited during the last
three years, the annual wool
crop of Texas will realize nearly
as much, in dollars and cents.
as the cotton crop. The influence of
the men who control this S25, ,00O, 600
is decidedly in favor of protection
there is not free-trader among them.
Again, the manufacturing spirit is
making itself felt III Texas. As an
industry it does not amount to q great
deal yet, but the germ is here
and the growth is steady. Within
another decade the hum of
spiudles will be a familiar sound
in this state. Every man who
has dollar invested III manufsctur-
ing industries is more or less of pro-
tectionist-a free-trader, never These
facts account for the existence and
growth OF a protection sentiment in
Texas, and ali the glamour and soph-
istry OF politics does not lessen the
logic of the facts. Self-interest Is
stronger than party ties. Mr.. Upsou,
of the sixth Texas district, has been
sent to congress twice, without any
opposition whatever. lie IS deserved
ly popular with his constituents. Let
Nj. Upson, this spring or summer,
announce himself in favor of free
trade; let him vote to withdraw pro-
lection from wool-growing and see ii
even a democratic nomination will
re-elect him this fall. The eXplana-
ton is simple. Mr.. Upson's constitu-
euts haye millions OF dollars invested
in wool-growins. But these facts,
patent As they are, should not inspire
Mr.. Kelley with too much confidence.
They should not lead HIM to believe
that southern influence can be de-
pended on to maintain the protective
features of the present tariff in all
their force. The south, and the est
for that matter, realize that tariff
revision must come, and the sooner
The letter. Ii MIR. Kelley and his
eastern coadjutors are willing to COM
promise existing difterences-meet
The opposite side on halfway
ground-the aspiration of the most
thoughtful men OF all:parties viii be
realized in the removal of the tariff
issue from politics. 1t is not par
tizan nor is it sectional issue, for
the democratic wool-grower in Texas
is just as much of protectionist as
the republican manufacturer in Rhode
island.