Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-21
WEDNESDAY.....APRIL 81, 1886
Protection.

Protection.
We had supposed that the question
which ws were discussing the other day
With tho Danville Register was Is TO
whether the Democrats Of Virginia were
or were not pledged to the doctrine OF
protection to American labor. But our
old friend says =" the real issue "is very
different. We quote his statement Of
IL:
"But the real issue between US IS
shall the present iniquitous high tariii
be continued, which has not projected
the wage workers, or shall it DO SO re-
formed and reduced as to give relief 70
millions of consumers"
That is impossible; there can be no
such issue; for We have never spoken
Of the existing tariff without denoun-
cling it as the worst except perhaps one
which this country ever suffered under.
We are in favor Of tariff revision, but
not of Mr.. MoRRIsoN's kind Of revi-
sion. II the Democrats in the Legisla-
ture Of Virginia did not misrepresent
their constituents when they protested
against Mr.. MoRRIsON's proposition
{ to admit iron ores free of duty, the peo-
pie Of Virginia are in favor Of protec-
tion--not incidental, for they want for
eign ores excluded, but protection per
se. A meeting at Salem on Monday
last declared for higher duties on iron
ores. This meeting was presided over
by . Democrat and its secretary is .
Democratic editor.
Protection is = doctrine which takes
care of itself. The men who work in
establishments which have to compete
with foreign labor may always be set
down rs protectionists. If we are not
mistaken even our Danville contempo-
rary has been known to advocate the ex-
emption of new manufacturing estab-
lishments from local taxation. Posi-
bly, it was the present editor Of the
Wing that advocated that proposition.
At any rate, we commend to the study
of the Register the following paragraph
from the Macon tGs.) Telegraph:
"When the vote upon Morrison's
bill was taken the men from the South
who voted for it did so under western
leadership, and upon the assurance that
they were representing their own con-
stituents. They were tricked, many Of
them, but soon learned their error.
From every section Of the South pro-
tests went up. Educated by their press
and the public discussion Of the princi-
ples and interests involved, the people
expressed themselves as best they could,
and took positions in support of the in
dustries and manufactures Of their
country. Georgia four years ago had
but one daily paper-the Telegraph
that attempted to discuss the tariff from
. protective standpoint, but the press
quickly fell into line, and to-day there
Is not paper of any importance in the
State that has not put itself on record
AGAINST free trade. We do not believe
+ that any man in favor Of free trade could
svow his sentiments and be elected Il
represent any Georgia district"
The Register will Of course den!
that It is in favor of free trade. If so
We respectfully ask it to tell US how j
10 possible to levy tariff for incidenta
protection without levying it for pro
lection. II the object is protection,
does not matter, SO far as the principl
is concerned, that the protection
ssineidsntal." II the tariff be 8
Z framed IS to insure protection to on
industries, the industries protecte
will DO indifferent as to the name give
to the "protsction." On the 9TH
hand, II II is not right to levy . tari
with either incidental or intention
protection as the object of the Law, the
free trade must be the right policy.
AZ to whether the Democratic n
tiopal Convention Of 1884 pledged Il
Democratic party to high duties or no
our readers are IS we'll informed as "
We quoted the words Of the platforr
We quote them again;
s. The necessary reduction in tax
>sor can and must BE- effected witho
depriyipg AmericaR labor Of the abili
o compete successfully with forei
labor. and without imposing Low
roAes Of duty than will DO ample
eover any increased cost Of prod
tioa whicA may exist ia consequence
s tAe higher rates of wages presailing
: tais country"
II duties {" ample are to be Q
lectsd five are not to impose low
rates than these sample ones !"
!" the higher rate Of wages prevailing
this country Is to control US, it d.
seem 10 US that the duties may be j
- high a the protected article needs.
The Register says 1t is not in favor
dividing the Democratic party,
leaves that work TO Mr.. RANDALL,
DiVsteA, &c. But Mr.. RANDALL
tAs DispatcA never dsnounce . Den
csst Who differs with them on the tar
We are perfectly willing to allow
70 held their own opinions In pea
Ne always oct on the defensive. =
NtNs controversy vas called out BY {
ltlls~iss paragraph rejecting upop
Wzie and the DsspateA. The Rssis
~ sd
eve ase eTsti6sd 10 know that Ri
!. anen1 ~ 80 Journal that can sps
ri ~ ~ redeuption Of Dsmocra
6Slx pIsdess:"
e II Dshocsstie Executive Cemn
- q Neslblk ~ hsve $1,000.