Wichita eagle., 1888-08-29
PROJECTION A PRINCIPLE.
ftc,r DAILY EAGLE.

| uaSe uedIQ great Zeal eaAu ASdO MuCu
more referring to the subject of protec-
ton as related to the interests of our
government, and much Of it seems to
have been the uttered or recorded
| thought of selfish men intent on blind
ing the masses regarding the question.
Who first used the term protective
tariff" We know not, but the phrase
implies an evil to be shielded from which
the advocates of said measure saw and
offered it as a protection.
Selfishness being so strong CHARGE
teristic of the human family as individu-
ais or governments it is difficult to get
a just application of principle, even
thought it be indisputably a right one hence
we think the difficulty arises at present.
AS Americans we defend the reputa-
tions Of our fathers and honor them for
establishing free government, and to
be consistent we must protect 1t. Our
ancestors gave good illustration OF the
principle in application when they joined
| hands and refused to buy articles manu-
| featured in England that they could
make themselves, as they did In New
England. The results of their policy
may yet be seen in the products Of those
same colonies and the advancing indus
tries of the newer states, though 1t Is
doubtful if any at that time expected
such results.
Whatever the history of the past may
have been we claim that according to
the genius of our government, the policy
to pursue is the one that will give the
greatest amount of happiness to our peo-
pie as individuals, or the greatest good to
the greatest number, and as nation the
most independent position we may hon.
orably attain. 1t is the duty then of this
government to protect Its citizens from
all dangers, and among others if there is
danger in admitting the products of other
countries to compete with our own it
should be stopped entirely if need be, in
order that the greater number should be
benefited.
Protection as principle is right by all
rules of government whether it be by
sword or tax. But regarding the policy
of taxing imports and the amount OF
such tax is where men differ in opinions
and have done for many years. In this
country it is sectional issue, first strong.
ly developed between the cotton bell"
and the manufacturing sections. There
10 only Ollc HOtlN0 dptttACit III az OIoU-
ing measure to admit freely the manu-
featured products of Great Britain or
other foreign countries and that is
cheaper goods, though we think there
is a motive only spoken of in limited
circles. No matter how specious their
claims of extending trade, etc.,
is low priced goods, and they have no IN
~ In o,.J
operatives that produce them. Neither
do they care for the prosperity Of those
engaged in manufacturing the same
goods in this country. That the Sec
tional and selfish element has more in
fuence in debating legislation On this
subject than patriotic instincts witness
the Mills bill So called, and the provis-
ions regarding few items:
small productions of this country COM
pared with wool, yet they are protected
who produce the first by extremely
high duties on foreign products
while wool growers must compete
with the serf labor of the world. A
little honest study of the subject as pre-
suspicion that sectional and selfish OBJ
there than any other in many cases.
And here we note that the party who
terms protection a system Of robbery |
forget that they insist upon its applica- |
ton to the section where they are 'solid'
in extreme duties upon products that |
compete with theirs. With an honest |
desire to extend to all parts Of the coun- |
try Just application of the principle Of
protection it would not be difficult to
do so and also reduce the much talked |
of surplus in the treasury. Inter
nal taxes might be abolished and the |
states left to regulate the sale of any ar
ticles deemed unfit to be sold without.
and then all articles not produced in this
country, except Injuries, be admitted |
free, then it would require a reasonable |
tariff on all others to produce the nee
essary revenues. A good place to apply /
a portion of any surplus then remaining
would be in the mail service by reducing
domestic postage The long drawn walls
about the agriculturist not being bene-
fitted by protection to other citizens is
another phase of selfishness, Remove
from our state all the manufactures and
YOU remove the most of the inhabitants
of cities and villages and stop the
growth entirely of those best
markets, because at home, and stop
the building of railroads that receive en-
and aid from such cities
and towns. Stimulate and encourage
and the great western
ranges of mountains will become the
source of employment to millions as the
eastern ranges are now and instead of
the farmers of the Mississippi valley hav-
mo IN shin their products to England
thew will find on either side of them
ready purchasers for their supplies and
an aggregation of capital saved by pro-
ducing at home instead Of spending
abroad.
Much has been said about the eastern
money loaners and injustice TO western
farmers which has only unpatriotic false
hoods for basis. The truth is eastern
capitalists have been often deceived
and defrauded by western sharks who,
as middle men, exact the unjust interest
Of farmers while the capitalist gets six
Dr. seven per cent interest, or, as in hum
1reds of cases. loses his money entirely.
The eastern farmer has had his
profits much reduced by competition
with his western brothers, who have the
advantage in soil and adaptabllity of sur
face; vet we find a spirit OF patriotism
prevails which favors the building up of
a grand nation within whose bounds
shall dwell no class of laborers ground
10 earth that a few may purchase their
clothing trifle cheaper.
Another application of the principle IN
ocal affairs and we close. A strong OPP
ponent of the system generally publicly
,alls upon our county commissioners to