Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-25
Rice vs.. Iron.

Couriey has not deigned. we think, 10 NOTICE
any Of the good.na.ured criticisms which
have appeared in bis exchanges upon his
alleged conversion 10 be an advocate oil the
doctrine Of protection. However. he has
not BY any means taken the back track. He
has not doubled upon himself. He seems
TO be bent upon pursuing the even tenor OF
his way, let scoffing critics and newspaper
jokers say what they will. He knows that
the planters OF South Carolina are In
favor of tariff which shall protect
them in their business OF growing
rice. lie knows that TO admit rice free OF
duty would ruin that business. He knows
OF course that to advocate tariff that shall
protect rice IL exactly the same thing In the
estimation Of wATTgasos, MORRISON, HuRD,
md the rest Of the free traders. as to advo-
tate tariff that shall protect iron.
} As we understand 1t, the gentlemen
Samed. and also Mr.. DAWSON. are all
n favor OF free trade In the abb
tract, and yield only to uncontrola-
Die circumstances: in agreeing to any
tariff that affords protection TO Amerl-
can industries. Mr.. DAWSON. however.
would make an exception In favor OF SUI
gar and rice, and demand protection for
them so long as the Government OF the
United States shall protect any industry
whatever. The last outgiving Of our
Charleston contemporary on this subject
reads as follows:
1--WE have no idea that the duty on rice
will be increased, aud 1t would be difficult,
perhaps, to change the Treasury rulings
regarding broken rice, but Mr.. Talmsge Is
right In saying that the American rice
planter should receive the full benefits OF
the protective policy OF the Government
so long as that shall be the governmental
policy"
Just 30. And the iron interest In like
manner demands that II "shal receive the
full benefit Of the protective policy OF the
Government-so long as that shall be the
governmental policy" And 1t is too plain
for dispute that this means that those inter-
ests shall be protected forever, since nobody
pretends TO believe that the Government
operations without protective tarif-that
Is to say. so long as the Government
annually needs and annually raises a
revenue Of three hundred millions Of Col.
lars, IL is impossible for ii to do otherwise
than keep up tariff that shall protect some
American industries; and II some are to be
protected, then all will set up the claim
advanced by the Netns and Courier, and
demand each interest for itself that II shall
receive the full benefits OF the protective pol
icy so long as that shall be the govern
mental policy.
But let us illustrate. The following are
the main points Of u memorial to The Senate
adopted recently by the iron.ore and trans
portation men In convention assembled in
Cleveland, Ohio, against the ratification Of
the treaty with spain-the same treaty to
which our Charleston contemporary takes
exception. We ask the Nens and Courier
10 read the following and tell us wherein
the iron mems claim differs as to its merits
from the claim set up by our Charleston
friend In behalf Of the rice planters OF
South Carolina. We quote from the iron
mems memorial as follows
"The undersigned. representing the iron
ore producing and transporting interests
Of the Northwest, call attention TO the terms
proposed IN the treaty with Spain affecting
the American ore production. Tue duty
on iron ore Is now seyenty-fiye cents ton.
L. IL 10
ital and labor engaged In tn, development
Of our American mines, and in the extern
sive transportation Of their products TO fur
naces. Under the present duty we are
obliged TO compete with some Of the poor
est-paid labor In tho world. In Spain and
Africa, Spanish and African ores are pro-
duced at labor cost that would be humill-
atipg and oppressive to the last degree 10
the American laborer. Even now hun
dreds Of thousands OF tons annually dis
place the products OF our American mines.
Under this treaty iron ore Is on the free
list. Cuba has extensive and valuable de-
posits Of ore. and within year or two
large investments Of capital have been
made for their development. The admis-
sion Of these duty free rs provided In the
treaty would be gross injustice and In.
Jury 10 the home production. Iron
ore Is produced In every part OF our coun-
Try. The product last year was not less
than ten million tons. Engaged In this
business are vast capitals, and hundreds
OF thousands Of laborex are furnished with
remunerative employment. In the Lake
Superior region, In the mines, In railroads
necessary 10 moving their products to
lakes,<n transportation over lakes, and In
ore business Of railroads moving ores from
the lower lake ports to furnish adjacent
States their Gre. are now employed $751;
100000 In capital, with aIl OF the labor occu-
patton that such an amount oil capital In
wolves.
ain other sections Of the country there
are similarly connected and independent in
dustries whose safety and ability to fur
this proposed removal OF duty from Cuban
ores. That removal would close many
American mines. We do not ask the
American iaborer 10 live on the miserable
wages Of the Spanish West Indies.
1--WE recognize the necessity OF enlarged
markets. The Increasing volume Of our
products must be absorbed somewhere, but
Il would he q fatal policy 10 seek this abroad
It the sacrifice OF vital Interests at home.
Our best and largest market Is the home
market. The preservation aud enlargement
Of that IL the first dictate Of true American
policy. A successful external policy must
start from that economic premise. The
proposed treaty, Ia our judgment, will not
stand the test, and should be rejected"
In our poor judgment, the iron men make
out at least ~ good ease for their business
- our Charleston contemporary makes out
for the business Of the rice-pIanters. But
We viii await his explanation Of the differ
ence between the merits Of the two cases.
The New York Tribune and It's WASH
inston correspondent talk nonsense about
the Congregational Record. We have else
where alluded to the silly correspondent
ana ths miller editor. Read our article
seihns what TIE Congregational Record Is,
ana then rad what the Tribune ssys Of it.
- foliows;
"The powerful weakness Of loyinr 10
see themselves In print, whether they have