Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-23
eROANs rKOm THE IRON TRADE.

The iron trade of this country has always
been among the foremost TO claim "protec-
ton" almost without limit. The iron man.
ufacturers represent their trade az being like
a dollhouse plant, that must be protected
from the winds of heaven by brick walls
around it and glass roof above. Or it is
puny, helpless infant, that must be eternally
handled in Nurse Protectors arms, or it
will die. The iron trade long ago declared
itself San infant industry" and all the milk
lavished upon it by protective breasts has
neither strengthened its bones, given vigor
to its muscles, nor put flesh on its unsub-
stantial bones. 1t makes no approach TO-
ward manIiness, has no internal vigor, but is
a dWindling vsletudinarian, that requires
perpetual medicine from the hands of DR..
Protection; for without protection it can
have neither shelter, strength, nor the med
ical care without all of which it cannot
exist. Now, the country has become tired OF
this perpetual infancy, the iron absorbers OF
tribute from their long patient fellow-citi-
zens are getting up howl about declining
business and increasing helplessness. In
doleful tones they complain of falling prices
and decreasing demand, and against these
contingencies, to which every business is
liable in its turn, they claim that the coun
try ought to protect them. They must
pocket all the profits and the citizens of the
United States must deplete their pockets TO
compensate the i-on industry capitalists for
their losses-a most modest demand. The
winter is approaching, which decreases the
demand for iron used in outdoor work, and
the completion of various railroads decreases
the need for iron rails. Stimulated by the
dollhouse cultivation of trade by protection,
the manufacturers have reached the point of
over production. The result Of these things
Is Just what a decreasing requirement
for a given commodity, or an over sup
ply of it, or both, would produce IN
any other business as we'll as that OF
iron. Whv then should iron have accorded
protection IN such case that is not required
in other businesses under the same circum-
stances? The fact is, it is believed that the
iron people are exaggerating the natural
transition which the iron trade is expe-
riencing Just now, with the object Of accom-
plishing two things. One aim is TO infiu-
eHce legislation; the other TO induce lower
rates for raw material" "The foreign mar
kets," says that excellent authority in such
matters, the New York Bulletin, speaking OF
the present condition of the iron trade, care
having very little influence here at present.
They are not shaping the course OF affairs.
With this fact in view, then, it may
unhesitatingly be said that the unfavorable
course of the domestic market is wholly due
to the fact that home production has over
taken consumption" There lies the whole
secret of the condition OF the iron market.
Whatever weakening it is experiencing comes
from the regular course of trade affairs, and
in no way entities the iron interest to the
benefit of any exceptional legislation, not
extended to other branches of trade when
exposed TO similar business difficulties.