Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-05-10
COLONEL WAIT ON THE TARIFF.

COLONEL WAIT ON THE TARIFF.
The speech of Representative Eaton, Of
the FirstCongregational district of this State,
upon the tariff question has attracted much
attention, and SO has the speech of another
representative of this State-C0lonel Wait
of the Third district-upon the same ques-
ton. Mr.. Waits speech con-
tanned some facts which deserve
the attention of, all interested in
the discussion. considerable part of his
speech was devoted to showing the reduction
in price which protection has caused in num-
erous commodities which most have felt its
benefits. Among other articles he mention
ed saws The English tools cost our whole
salers from $15.75 to $l9 dozen in 1910
under the operation of free trade.
In 1876, after fifteen years of
protection, we could make better saws our
selves, and sell them at $40. so dozen. Col.
onel Wait also paid attention to axes. Be-
fore axes were made in this country, excep-
by country blacksmiths, English axes cost
our farmers and others from 81 to each.
By the tariff of 1928 a protective duty of
thirty five per cent. was levied upon import
ed axes. Under this protection, tho Col
Inns company of Hartford introduced labor
saving machinery, much OF which was invent
ed, patented and constructed by themselves.
In 1886 foreign and homemade axes were
selling side by side in the American market
at $15 to $16 per dozen. Axes were selling
in 1888 at $13 to $15 25 per dozen; in 1s43
at $11 to $12; in 1849 at $s to 80, Ein 1876
the price of the best American axes in the
market is So so per dozen in currency, and
the country exports to foreign markets.
English writer's admit their superior excel
lence. The Collins compa ny makes its own
steel, and letter from the company claims
that it is ''better than any steel we can buy,
and we have been steel-consumsrs for fifty
years. We now make only for our own con-
sumption, and we have no disposition to
cheat ourselves"
After calling attention to the past and
present prices of other articles Colonel Wait
made the following forcible remarks: 1t is
the truth that the necessaries of life-chemi-
Gals, clothing, boots and shoes, blankets
cloths and all the manifold articles consum-
ed by generally prosperous and progressive
nation have been made cheaper
under the influence of protection. The
men and women of the country who remem-
Der the days when tkey drove from their
farms to their village stores to barter their
own produce for articles of necessary con-
sumption will bear me witness that under
the operation of protective tariffs the pur-
chasing power of their agricultural produc-
tion has been greatly augmented. You may
exert your ingenuity upon them and ply
them with arguments, and they will tell you
that while they may not be able to explain
away the sophistries of your logic or your
figures, nevertheless they are paying for the
necessities of life less than their fathers paid
and are receiving for their own commodi-
ties much greater returns.
Colonel Wait said much more which We
have not space to notice. His speech as a
whole was a very strong presentation of facts
which show the benefits of the protective
policy. In closing he gave an admirable
summary of the tariff history of the nation
history which furnishes an overwhelming
argument for protection.