The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-08-08

While the presentation Of the position OF
the Republican party in favor of protection
Is winning hundreds of votes from the ranks
of the Democrats, II would be unfair 10 con-
ceal the other fact that there are some acees-
sions to the Democrats. Wherever there is
free trader, whatever may have been his
party affiliations in the past. he is pretty GER
tain to betake himself to the Democratic
position this year, for that position is the
free trade position. Mr.. Weston 4. Thomp-
son. Of Brunswick, who has we believe,
acted In times past with the Repub-
lcans, Is one Of these free traders who this
year finds himself driven into the Democrat
ic party by the logic of events. In a speech
delivered in Brunswick. Monday night, and
reported quite fully yesterdays Argus, Mr..
Thompson said:
In default OF duties on Imports with perfect
freedom Of trade, American citizens could buy
cheapest. Government steps in and puts on a
duty. The importer is compelled to increase his
price to the consumer. The latter pays what the
duty and the importers profit. In q word the
whole expense Is finally borne by the American
consumer. The tarin. therefore, Is q device for
increasnR I 9 cost OF an article in the home mar
ket. All us blessings flow from that original
erect IL produces nothing except Increased
prices h. IN home markets. An American capitalist
observes the high price Of an imported article in
tne home market He finds the article can be
manufactured here SO as to make fair profit, and
nc goes TO manufacturing II. Thus and thus only
tarin stimulates industry. 1t makes an article
command high price In the home market. The
american manufacturer, In the above instance; IS
enabled 10 sell product at a price equal TO that
made necessary for the imported article. The
nigh price tariff has rendered necessary must be
paid by somebody; obviously by those VINO buy
the goods, and we are the buyers.
In Mr.. Thompson's opinion the tariff pro-
duces nothing except increased prices in
home markets so that American capitalists
may build up Industries In which fair profits
may be made. Without pausing to point out
that in this abundance and Investigation of
industries, which Mr.. Thompson seems to
think Of SO little account, lies the assurance
Of abundance and prosperity to a nation, 1t
isworth while to examine the assertion
which Mr.. Thompson makes. that the Amer
lean manufacturer ais enabled to sell pro-
duct at price equal to that made necessary
for the imported article" In other words,
this is q repetition Of the sophism enunciated
by President Cleveland that the cost of a
protected article Is Increased by the amount
OF the duty. 1t has been repeatedly shown
that this 10 false, and that home competition
brings down the cost OF manufactured arti-
cles to the lowest limits allowable by the
cost Of production with American labor.
For instance. the actual duty on wooden
cloths imposed by tho present tariff ranges
from fifty to sixty per cent, yet the price of
clothing in this country. except in the higher
grades. is nearly as low as in England. The
fifty, sixty or seventy per cent. Of enhanced
price Is paid by those who wear imported
goods, and by those alone, and they are but
small portion OF the community. The
tariff does not add to the cost of our home.
products an amount equal to the rate Of the
tariff; but 1t does shield our industries and
our workingmsn against the disastrous
effects Of foundations OF foreign goods,
thrown upon US at ruinously low rates to
relieve foreign markets OF the products of
foreign cheap labor.