The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-22
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE


TO the Editor Of the Indianapolis journal:
In the journal Of this morning there 10 q let
ter signed ''Silex" in which an attempt is made
to illustrate the bad effects OF free-trade by
reference to Australia. thus warning the people
Of this country not to fall into the same bad
plight. I am not q fres-trader by any means.
but l must say that "Silex" has shown himself
not to be familiar with the conditions that really
prevail in that country. and so have done it .
grave injustice and his argument no good. A
little more than a year ago / returned home
from a thirteen months residence in that queen
city of the southern hemisphere, Melbourne; and
1 feel that 1 am able to say some things about
that country.
In the first place. 'Silex's' letter assumes that
all Australia is one country, as to ~politica! gov
ernment This is a mistake. Australia, TO-
GLIDING New Zealand and Tasmania, comprises
seven distinct colonies. The governments of
these colonies are as independent of each other
as are the Dominion of Canada, the United
States, and Mexico here in America.
There Is no such relation sub
sistlng between them as obtains between
the States of our Union. One colony has no
moro power 70 control the policy Of another
colony, or to direct it or influence 1t in airy way,
than has the United States to control the politi-
cal policy Of Mexico. As related TO themselves
they are wholly independent sovereienties.
Now, under such a condition of affairs, 1t would
not be strange il different policies prevailed in the
ditferentc colonies; and such is true. In this respect,
to make the references more pointed take the two
colonies of New South Wales and Victoria
New South Wales has fashioned her commer-
cial policy strictly after England. and is as
rampant free trade, although she has among
her people a strong protection minority. On
the other hand, Victoria has framed her COM
mercial policy after that OF the United States,
and is as thoroughly protection. Following are
a few items of the Victorian tariff:
Grain and pulse, 2s tIS cents) per 100 pounds;
boots and shoes. from lis Cd CS1. 60) to 33s ($7.92)
per dozen, according to size; wagons and carriages
without springs, 20 per cent. I'D valorem: the same
With springs, SO CS4sl to $50 (S240) each, WOODEN
doors. os f$l.2O) each; hats. from % per cent. ad va
loren to Ass tS11.52) per dozen; articles Of apparel
wholly or partially made up, % per cent. ed yalorem;
furniture, % per ceu8 ad valorem; manufactures os
metals, 20 per cont. ad valorem; machinery. except a
lew specified kinds. such as spinning. weaving, sew.
ing printing. ETC., % per cent. ad valorem.
These items will show where the Victorian
tariff strikes, and that II gives protection to the
agriculturist on all his crops. to their rising
manufactures OF boots and shoes, Of wagons
and carriages, OF hats AID caps. Of wooden piece
goods and clothing, of machinery of all kinds,
OF metals, etc, etc. And. to still further show
the care with which the Victorisn government
fosters its manufactures. it will not ne out of
place here TO state that il offered q bonus OF
5000 1874 ,000l for the first ten thousand yards
of worsted stuff manufactured IN the colony.
This bonus stimulated The establishment of two
large and well equipped mills for the production
OF this class Of goods, one at Williamstown and
the other at Ballarat. ana last year the bonus
was paid. The result of this disposition tovard
manufactures is that Victoria is developing and
maintaining manufactures of almost all kinds;
and, III this respect, she will soon he independ-
ent Of the rest OF the world. While | was
there business was In q fourishing condition,
aud every man who really desired employment
could get 1t st remunerative waees-even diggers
in the bitches received rs Isl. 70) per day. with n
Saturday half holiday thrown in. The revenues
collected were largely in advance of the esti-
mates made, and were more than sufficient to
pay ali the expenses OF the Government. AS q
result. the Victorians were fast accommodating
that Democratic bugbear, a surplus. Railroads
now penetrate and soon Will be built into all
parts OF the colony; and cities, and towns, and
villages. and prosperous rural districts are 10 be
found In all the interior parts of the colony.
Among the larger interior cities there lay lie
mentioned Sale, Geelong. Wsrrnambool, Balla-
rat. Maryboroueh, Echuca, Sandhurs.. Castle
main, etc. Ard not only SO, but in every avail
able place, all over the colony. the government
has established a ststs school,, at which the chill
dren are compelled TO attend until they become
fourteen years of age. or until they make the
prescribed grade, which is determined by a
strict examination by s. board OF examination
organized for that purpose. This does no; look
much like the cowboy civilization OF which
Slick" speaks. So his argument, being based
on false conditions, is pointless and valueless.
But thers is q genuine argument in favor OF
protection as against free trade that may be
drawn from the conditions really prevailing in
the colonies. i have already said that the CON-
mercial policy OF Victoria Is that OF protection.
while that OF New South Wales Is free trade-a
tariff for revenue only. Now, here are two al
jacent colonies operating under these two prin-
ciples. What are the apparent results! / have
already indicated the prosperity OF Victoria. as
l saw 1t myself. Rapidly securing most favora-
bic agricultural conditions, manufactures of
all kinds being developed. times good, plenty of
employment. an overlooking treasury, ETC., etc.
In New South Wales, although fostered in many
ways by England above Victoria for English
commerce, the same as the Of other
nations, is compelled to pay tribute TO Victorian
protection. and this 10 not popular with CONNER
cisl Englandl. while the natural conditions seem
TO be more favorable, and withal she 10 much
the older colony, yet there were not the came
conditions OF prosperity. This WAS shown By
the hard times prevailing. scarcity OF
employment IL number of times while ]
ney assembled together by thousand,
and went to the governments and demanded en-.
ployment of some kind or relief, and j. had to be
suppliedI. deficient revenues, an increasing
debt, ETC.. etc. Sill, it is fair to say that the
revenues of the last year were better than be-
| fore. In the actual favorable conditions of the
country. in the prosperity that maintains. Vic
toriA has by far the best Of this practical pro.
lection ana free trade argument with New
South Wales. Victoria is not in high favor with
England, no favors are shown her in a CONNER
cial way; she has had to maintain her policy
siDgle-handed and alone On the other hand
New South Wales is Englands pet colony; ss u
these two, commercial favors are shown her, al
well as favors in the way of immigration, etc.
etc. Still, here is q practical example of the
workings of these two principles side by side
1t will not be hard for the American people tc
determine which Of these two principles shall
prevail in America; nor which of tho grea'
parties shall administer 1.-THE one which
stands uncompromised in its favor and interest
or the one which is sometimes yes and some
times no, with the preponderance vastly on tn,
side OF the no. J. 81. EDWARDS.
NEW CASTLE. Ind. Sept. IL.