Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-06-05
MISCELLANEOUS.
Protection Does NOT Protect.


One of the greatest arguments
used in behalf of protective tariff
is that it increases the wages of the
laboring man. We propose to show
the fallacy of this assertion. and
prove that instead of receiving higher
wages they actually get lower under
the system of protection.
The best way to do this is by COM
parison, and, by way OF illustration,
we will assume that Grecnbrier coun-
ty isa small republic Ike Switzerland, /,
Independent OF the rest of the world.
She makes her own laws and shapes
her own policy, having at heart the
best Interests and happiness of her
citizens. Suppose our County Court
is the National Legislature of this
little republic and enacts all its laws.
Smith, one OF our citizens, is en-
gagged in the manufacture of wagons.
He cannot compete with those of for
cign make, and asks the government
for protection, which is granted. A
tariff of S25 is levied ON every wagon
of foreign make that comes into the
republic. Smith Immediately raises
the wages of his employees So per
moi,tli-the other $50 he adds to the
price of his wagons. His employees
are delighted. They think n protec-
ton is n glorious thing-so it would
be if wages were the only thing pro-
tected. ..
By and by, pay day rolls around,
and all of Smiths employees draw
their wages and HE them away 10 lay
in their stock of groceries, provis-
ions, clothing, etc, for the ensuing
month. One of them goes into the
store of 8Ir. Jones, and something
like the following, coIIOquy takes
place:
Laborer-"air. Jones. L want a
hat"'
Jones-"Au right. Here they
are.''
L.-"what is this worths'
1.-Two dollars"
e 1.-Two dollars! Why, 1 used
to get 1t for one; how does it come
that L have to pay two for it now?'
J--''Why firm has gone to man
featuring hats in oar county and as
we protect wagons, we must protect
hats too, and the government lcvies
a tax of one dollar on every hat that
comes into our county,"
L.-''WclI, there is one dollar of
my five increase of wages gone, but
/ suppose L must not complain.
Now let me see your clothing"
J--''Here it is SIR
L.-"what is this suit worths''
J--''Twcnty-four dollars"
L.-"Twenty-four dollarsi Great
Scott, you must be joking! Why j
can get just as good suit across the
line for S12!''
J--''Indeed, my friend I am not
joking-clotlling is protected too
We must protect our Industries, you
know"
L.-"wcll. / am compelled to have
clotkess and 1 will have 10 take this
suit, but there is the other 81 OF my
advance of wages gone, and SO be-
sides. Now, for some sugar"'
J--''Here are two grades; which
will you have?''
L.-"What are they worth?''
J.-ssThis is worth ten cent, and
that twelve"
L.-:whatl The last 1 bought
cost me seven cents"
J.-'tSugar is protected too.''
L--''But We make no sugar in this
country"
J.-aOh, there is somebody trying
to make it out of beets back in the
country here, and he demanded pro-
lection and the government put on .
tariff of three cents on the pound"
And the conversation goes on IL
much the same way in regard to salt,
shoes, calicoes, knives, and in fact
everything he wants and needs, and
before the laborer leaves the store ht
has paid the s. incrcas in wages three
or four times over, and the mex
month and every succeeding montl
repeats the operation 1t soon dawnl
upon his benighted brain that pro
lection is not such a good thing aftel
all. but is delusion and snare.
This is not an overdrawn picture
but is \ plain statement Of facts
Still, people wonder why the condi
ton of Iaboring men is not better
The solution is easy They are rob
bed every day OF their lives in th,
manner above described.
Greenbrier Independent.