The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-09-27
The South and the Tariff.

One OF the Strange eiiiiso, "noii ~
viewed from the standpoint OF common
sanse and material interests. Is the
tellige 1T people of the South uoe 5d6Ppdns
President Cleve land, with his official tut
terances in favor of free trade, and present
the Mills bill as a measure that should be
adopted by Congress. There could be
nothing more suicidal. And yet the solid
South is all that the Democratic party can
depend upon. Without it there woud be
no possible chance for the election OF
Cleveland. Combined with the import
ers," the "cJnsignees. the "brokers," the
merchants. ''-practicaily agents for han
ding British goods, it is hoped To control
New York. New Jersey and Connecticut,
and thus united, to win 204 electoral votes,
lust three more than is necessary for an
election.
1t is natural that the class to which we
have referred should favor the Mills bill
and free trade. Their interests lie in an
increase of importations, and not in the
our markets were glutted with British
products. and not a factory or furnace in
operation III our country, the ''importers.'
the "consignees," &c, would the more
assuredly thrive, though our whole labor
class were driven from employment.
1t is equally unnatural that the South
should conspire with the importing utter
ests of New York, to overthrow cur in
dnstrial system. Her marvellous grow n
within the past ten years is the result of
the present tariff policy. We are now
just beginning to realize its benefits, and
when we consider the wonderful natural
resources of the South; It's coal, its iron,
its tim Der, and water power. yet to be de-
yeloped and utilized. it staggers the imag-
ination to grasp the possibilities that the
future holds in store for the Southern
people if they are only true co themselves
and the economic legislation which the
conditions demand.
In 1880 Alabama had only $9,6 ,O0S in
vested in manufactures. On June, 80,
1883, she had S62. 922 600 invested in man
ufactures. Arkansas, in 1880, had ST..
953, 130 as against $.2.216 600 invested in
manufactures June so, 1883. Florida in
creased her investments in manufactures
from So ,2lO. $50 in 1880 to Sc, 1896, $50 on the
80 OF June. 1888; and between: the same
periods Georgia increased her invest
ments from $2O,670,410 to $40, 464 $40:
Kentucky. from $45, SlS 039 to $4,000
039; Louisiana, from 81 ,462.46S to $2l.-
1865; Maryland from $5S, 742.3S4 to
876, 1855, 905; Mississippi from S4.727 900
tO$l0 1928 $40; North Carolina, from 3d.
055, 639 to 1851 800: South Carolina,
from 1905 1914 to Sl6,74S 720: Tennes
see, from $20,O92. 845 to $50 1856 500; Tex
as. from SO .245 26l to $34 $40 600: Vir-
ginia. from $26, 96s, 800 to Sal $4,000, and
West Virginia, from Sl3, 1888 800 to $22,-
$50. 500. The total investments in manu-
features of the States above named were,
in 1880, $261 800, 129, and on June, 80, 'SS,
they had reached $685., OF s. 656, an increase
In eight years and half of 1916 per
cent, The greater part of this increase
has been made within the past thirty
months.
It is proposed now to jeopardize, if not
paralyze the industries represented by this
immense capital. to please the importers
of New York and a few doctrinaires OF
the South-to support Mr.. Cleveland, who
is the candidate Of the free trade interests
of New York and Eugland-and to give
their notes to destroy the entire system
upon which these vast manufactures are
Nhn al cd of h
DDS of employing it and the labor which
gives it useful motion and profitable re-
suits. are all adjusted to the present eco
nomic legislation. The whole fabric is
predicated upon existing laws and poll
cies. To radically change them, as it is
proposed by the President and is formally
provided in the Mills bill. would be to
strike blow at the very base of the struc
ture. and to seriously impair if not utterly
destroy the foundation upon which it
has been built.
The interests IYoiyed are SO vast and
vital; the result would ee so disastrous,
that it is appalling TO contemplate. And
yet the people of the South are invited by
the agents of England, and by the reck-
less partiZanism of their own section. to
commit this enormous crime and to pave
the way for business reyulsiOn that would
implicate every interest related to the in-
dustrIes, and indeed every ramifcation
OF trade throughout every Southern State.
1t is to such fearful condition the peo-
pie of Virginia and the South are invited
to commit themselves by their ballots, in
Nnvamhar newt hy netting So. 80 fr~O
trade policy outlined by the President in
his message and letter of acceptance and
the Mills bill. Will they, can they be so
blinded to the present and the future and
the tremendous possibilities lnv9iveds as
to do so?