The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-14

lain's radicaism was the cause Of Conservative
success this year, but it is radicaism that will
win in the end. He is champion Of the cause
of the people, and in England the peoples cause
generally fails more than once before it finally
triumphs. Mr.. Chamberlain advocates free
education. In that every American must Heart
lily sympathize with him. Mr.. Chamberlain
seeks the disestablishment of the state church
in England. Because of this, churchmen op-
posed the Liberals this year, but before the next
general election disestablishment will be the DO
ltical creed or all non-churchmen. Mr.. Cham
berlain loudly proclaims free trade as against
the fair trade principles of the Tories. If l were
an Englishman l should be like him, free
trader, for the simple reason that England has
nothing to protect. But in the enuncation of
his free-trade doctrines he is not always happy,
as is evident from the following extract from
one OF his recent Birmingham speeches:
'That protection is not an advantage to the
country protected he would give an example
which had come to his knowledge within the
last day or two. A Birmingham workman
went to America some time ago, and was en-
ployed in great clock mandatory in that
country. The fair traders spoke about clocks
as one OF their strong illustrations. This
birmingham workman was employed in a man
ufactory making those small round clocks,
which really were most ingenious and admira
bic invention, which brought the luxury of a
capital time piece within the reach of almost
every artisan in this country He thought to
himself, here am making clocks in protected
country; the brass is protected; the glass is pro-
tected; the steel springs are protected; every
thing is dearer. If were to 90 to England,
where everything is free, l should be able to
make these clocks as we'll as the Americans, and
a good deal ceeaper; and he had come to Bir-
mingham. and was able to make clocks so sue
cessfully that although he was working full
time he could not possibly deal with the orders
he had on hand He was, therefore. competing
with the Americans in one of their special man
ufactures, solely aud entirely because of our
freetrade policy. because the Americans had
been foolish enough to tie their hands behind
their backs in their struggle with other coun
tries"
But Notwithstanding Chamberlain's Birmins-
ham clock maker has all the work he do clocks
have not become cheaper in England, and Amer
was correct his story would be much more won
derful than it is. 1t is evident from Mr. Cham
berlain's language that his Birmingham clock
maker, of whom he is proud, is doing business
in a very small way. Although he is working
on full time, he cannot possibly deal with the or
ders ne has on hand. No American would allow
his hands to be tied behind his back in this way
With the advantages that free trade is supposed
to give him that Birmingham man ought to be
clock manufacturer instead of mere clock
maker-he should be supplying the Englis mar
ket instead Of merely filing orders. Although
the trass, the glass and the steel springs that
than in America, and labor is much cheaper here
than there, one of Mr.. Chamberans English
critics points out that American clocks are still
as cheap as ever, and are not undersoid by the
wonderful Birmingham clock k-maker. Were there
any force in Mr. Chamberains argument that
Birmingham clock-maker's modest shop would
ere this have grown into great mandatory.