Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-08-28
Maine and Protection.

4
and fiourishes. New England and the
Middle States show the best examples OF
its results. What Massachusetts is IN
wealth, population, and the varied indus
tries of factory. workshop and field is due
largely to the protective tariff.
But Massachusetts has less advantages
as a manufacturing State than Maine.
Our State has thousands OF the best water
privileges for manufacturing purposes
utterly unimproved. They invite occupa-
ZION. On the sea coast or in the interior
they may be found. swiftly flowing
streams with natural reservoirs tor s;oring
water during the summers heat and the
winters frost. The county of Kennebec
alone has, beside the noble river from
which it takes its name, some twenty-five
lakes and ponds, many OF which
are utilized to some extent LOT
manufacturing purposes. Mr.. Weils
states in his work upon the Water rover
of Maine that there are connected with
the rivers of Maine alone, not counting
small ponds and large number OF
ponds in the forest region OF the
State not represented on any map. over
1920 lakes, covering together, probably,
at least 2300 square miles in area. or
this number 1868 are in the State OF
Maine, covering a total surface of 22OO
square miles. there being one lake
to every 20 square miles of territory,
and one square mile of lake surface to
every l43 square miles OF territory.
These waters are a magnificent founda-
ton wherein to build a great manufacture
ing State, surprising in that direction any
other State in the Union. When to this is
added climate so healthy that the State
has become vast summer resort for the
people o: the largest cities in the coun-
try, on account of its pure air. its invig-
Grating breezes and clear skies, and we
have two great essentials to the successful
prosecution of manufacturing enterprises.
Now protection to American industries
covers The Improvement of all these water
privileges and much more. 1t not only
means the creation of factories and putting
and keeping them in operation. but the
employment of vast number OF people,
the building up of cities and towns. the
growth of home markets for farmers, a
rise in the value of farms and gardens,
improvement in agriculture and horticul-
ture, better schools. greater social adj
vantages, and general thriftlness In the
State such as may now be witnessed IN
Massachusetts and Connecticut where the
results OF the protective policy may be
seen on every hand.
The interest of Maine lies most decid
eddy on the side of the policy that encour'
ages the manufacture in this country o.
such commodities AS can be made here in
preference to buying them abroad. Why
should we import cotton goods
from England when we can as
well manufacture them in this country
By making them here we employ the
privileges nature has given us, we fur
nish employment for labor, we create home
markets for farmers wherever factories
and workshops exist. and we are not de.
pendent upon foreign countries in peace OF
war for our supply.
As long as Maine was democratic
State free trade ideas prevailed; but when
the republican party obtained the ascen'
dency in the State the doctrine of protec.
ton took a start and has grown as its re-
suits have been seen and its operations
better understood 1t used to be said that
the protective tariff is a device to enrich
manufacturers at the expense of the great
body OF the people. That fallacy has
about died out. Occasionally it may be
heard but not often. Laborers employed
in industries established through the pol.
icy of protection rise up to retute it; farm
ers know from their own experience tina,
it is false; mechanics of all kinds know
better for it has kept their hands busy in
erecting factories. mills, dwellings, and
doing whatever labor enters into the
growth of new industries and young cities
and villages. Its benefits are general.
But what has this to do with the present
political campaignP A great deal Mr.
Bodwell as the candidate of the republi
cans for Governor represents the doctrine
of protection; Mr.. Edwards as the cand
date of the democrats represents free
trade. The republican candidates fol
Congress are in favor of protection; the
democratic candidates are opposed to it
Indeed the democrats are so opposed tC
protection that the leaders insist that every
man shall be driven from the democratic
party who is a protectionist. The polio,
of protection is assuredly the policy tina
the citizens of Maine should support i
they vote tor their interests. South Car
DINA may prefer free trade. because he
interest may seem to lie in that direction
but why should citizen of Maine vote
under the dictstion of the democratic
party, to advance the interests of Soutt
Carolina and against the interests of hi!
own State? The South demands fret
trade. and so the democratic party puts i
~ l.