The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-01-07

they have offered unusual inducements 70
capitalists in other parts Of the country to
come 10 Baltimore and engage in manufac-
turing. They have gone SO far as to offer
special exemption from taxation for a term
Of years, In other words, they have dis
eliminated in favor Of manufacturing
against commerce. They have assumed
what is known as a paternal relation to
manufactures. "Patornalism" has been
the subject Of much ridicule in this coun.
Try on the part Of the free trade papers.
II we have read the Baltimore Sun Alright
1t Is one Of the papers that has poked ridi-
cule at the "paternRl' idea. 1t certainly is
not friendly TO protection. And yet when
It comes down to the sort Of "paternalism"
1.-The sort Of discrimination that we have
alluded to-is voice is lifted as loud as the
loudest in favor Of discrimination. How is
this2 Why not carry out tho logical idea
Of free trade-that is, Let manufactures I'D.
Just themselves to the general situation,
and.not tax one part Of the community
Discriminatory for even specified term
Of years for the upbuilding Of another part.
We take 1t that the same principle that
professedIy underlies free trade as respects
the whole country against foreign coun-
tries, should underlie free. trade as between
one locality in this country and any other
locality, or all other localities. But such
papers as the Sun do not maintain their
consistency when the question comes home
to them as local matter They would be
glad 10 see an immense foreign commerce
pour its tributes into the lap Of Baltimore,
for the upbuilding of that city, as against
places like Cumberland, Wheeling, or any
other locality, but at the same time they
would disturb the natural equilibrium OF
things in favor Of manufacturers in their
own midst. They would adopt what is
known as the shot house" policy OF pro-
lection in favor Of their own immediate
locality.
We are not finding fault with this policy
Of local protection. On the contrary we
commend the example Of Baltimore to
other communities. But we are pointing
out the Inconsistency Of free trade paper
that wants free trade for the country at
atlarge, and protection for Baltimore in par.
ticular. The medicine which is good for the
country as a whole is not good for Balti.
more as particular locality. Baltimore
needs bonus-needs a Embellishments
paternal or maternal Discrimination
other words, needs protection, against the
balance OF the country, but the balance Of
the country does not need it against the
outside world. 1t strikes us that after all
there is great deal Of human nature in the
philanthropic, cosmopolitan and all en-
bracing free traders. Their great big pet
principle CT natural selection and survival
, OF the tttest," and all that sort of thing,
does not apply in their own little BALL.
wicks They discredit it right at their own
doors.
The general philosophy OF the protective
idea illustrates itself in these local subsi-
dies to manufactures. Almost any com.
munity will, for an ultimate advantage to
the whole body of its people, grant these
sort OF subsidies, either in the shape Of OK.
emptions from taxation, as proposed at Bal
timore, or in the shape Of money bonuses,
Us have occurred elsewhere. Why do the
people do it, Why will they give land
and money, aud grant IN exemption from
taxation, in order TO secure the location of
some large car works or other labor-employ-
ing establishment? Simply because they
believe that taxable values will be in.
creased in the end. Simply because they
expect TO increase the population and en-
courage building and enhance trade. They
expect to diversity labor, to create a home
market for the farmers, and make their
community as far as possible independent.
This is the protective idea applied to the
country at largo. 1t proceeds upon the idea
that the best thing to do is to attract for.
eign capital and foreign immigration, in
stead Of attracting the products Of foreign
capital and labor, by protecting that labor
aud capital when employed in producing
values in our own midst. 1t goes upon the
hypothesis that the capital and labor thus
attracted to our shores will be tributary to
the general prosperity Of the country. 1t
must DO fed, clothed and housed, and it
must make market for many necessities
and luxuries that are producible in our
own country. The butcher and baker and
candlestitk maker" will thus grow up to-
gether, side by side in every part Of the
country, and each will exchange his pro.
ducts with the other at the smallest cost
for intermediary charges in the shape Of
the tolls of transporters and importers.
The protection theory also proceeds upon
theidea that protection will naturally be.
get multiplication and competition at
home, and by various iugcnuities and econ.
omies regularly cheaper prices 1t will
operate Renerally as 1t has operated partic-
ticulaflyin cotton goods in New England,
in nails at Wheeling, in furniture at Gin.
cinnati, in carpets at Philadelphia, in loco.
motiyesat Patterson, inglass at Pittsburgh
and other places. In other words as It has
gradually operated in almost every branch
Of manufacturing business throughout the
country, And while it is thus operating to
multiply and cheaper the products Of man.
ufacturing capital and labor, it at the same
time assures the farmers Of the land a
home market for their products Their
products go largely to feed labor at home,
on our own soil, instead OF being shipped
abroad, charged with tho costs OF trans
portion, to feed labor on other soils, and
thus 1t happens that around every manu-.
featuring centre there is built up q thickly