The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1888-01-13
TARIFF AND FREE TRADE.


In the Albany Hsraidof Dec. 77th, 1887,
We find an article on the subject OF tariff
and "free trade BY the editor Of that pa
per, showing the prices OF wool In the
eastern market of the different grades of
Eastern Oregon wool and the valley wool.
He sums up after his review, showing a
difference Of seven cents per pound be.
tween the price of wool under the tariff
and what Il would be II President Clevs-
lands policy should prevail New, Mr..
Editor, observe the argument the editor
brings up to blIndfold the taxpayers otthe
state OF Oregon, will give his werds
ser6alim I'VE opino that there are very
few Of the farmers OF the state Of Oregon
who would be willing for wool 10 be re-
duced seven cents per pound for the myth.
icsl prospect OF getting a sixteea or TWEEN.
ty dollar suit of clothes fifteen or twenty
ceats cheaper than at present" Now,
farmers, lfths editor Is telling the truth
about this matter what Is the use Of the
tariff at all II Is foolishness for any man
OF common sense to talk about protective
tariff II this IL all the difference between
the two, for any merchant would willing
ly reduce the price OF a suit OF clothes TO
the extent of a dollar or two before he
would let a customer with cash leave his
establishment Yes he would willingly
lose ten times the amount necessary TO
protect home manufacturers rather than
to fail to deal with his customer
President Cleveland Is right when he
says reduce the tariff lie knows Il would
protect the farmer aud the laboring class
In general And instead OF getting a suit
of clothes fifteen or twenty cents cheaper,
We would get them for one-half the pres.
ent price. Why should the capitalist be
protected and not the labOring classes ?
The farmers have to compete with the
East Indies and Russian slaves, and every
other nationality that works for low wages.
wesdesire fair play, equitable TO all, the
rich and the poor. think on this Pacific
slope there is not oae In hundred but
what will say with President clevelaad,
reduce the tariff. There 10 not one man
In thousand that swns sheep. The loss
on woSl would be small to the gain other.
wise, by the reduction of the tariff. Sup
posing one thousand men bought suit OF
clothes yearly. Tariff on, twenty dollars
tariff off, ten dollars. There would be ten
thousand dsllars saved yearly to every
thousand inhabitants Tariff of, the gain
would be enormous TO the farmers aud the
laboring class even with the tariff off the
wool Then We would have better
market for our wheat The ships would
not need ballast coming bns loaded both
ways II Is evident that the people are
becoming more alive 60 the abuse Of the
present tariff system every day, and that
the politicians will not be able to cover up
the matter as they have In tlmes past. The
tariff Is 80 partial, 50 corrupted with the
most iagrant favoritism, 50 oppressive to
the extensive and importaat interests, 20
shaped by comparatively snalI number
Of wealthy monepolieg that It will never
stand the crucial test of close yea and
nay vote. II its advocates are wise they
will not press the matte. 80 far as that.
But no matter what its advocates may do.
It's opponents, whs are gathering strength
every day and winning new converts to
the doctrine Of free tradc,do not intend 10
.et the matter rest long as II IL. The pro.
tectionists will no doubt be very glad II
they can secure immunity from attack for
little while, but this Il much more than
will be conceded them. They muNt, In
fact, prepare TO make very large coaces-
sions in the way of tariff reforEn,and even
then they must understand that more Is TO
be demanded presently. For when reform
Is once organized there can be no further
security for the classes that have so long
been plundering the producer. In the
OyegoHiaa of the 9th instant, In speaking
of the tariff, the editor says the tariff ques-
ton is discussed in every part Of the coun.
try. II Il discussed with view chiefly to
local interests. Il Is therefore an intense.
y selfish contention. The tariff question
then Is conflict OF selfish interests. The
OrcgOsiaS used to be intensely clamorous
for free trade, but since President Cleve.
lands locomotive got on the track IL has
bumped the Oyeg0aiaS into the ditch.
Philomath, Or, Jan. 9TH, 1888.
]. J. FisLAYsos.