The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-08-11
The Farmer and the Manufacturer.

The Farmer and the Manufacturer.
Mr.. A. L. Crosby, of Gainesville, Baltimore
county, Nd, in an article on 'The Cow for
Revenue Only incidentally makes some
illusions to the tariff and protection, and re-
marks
If the American farmer can compete with
the world, the American manufacturer ought
by this time to be able to do the same"
This is true. The American farmer has never
had any protection, except on wool, and that
has been more ola disadvantage than benefit.
Under it his sheep have decreased, and the
price of his clothing and. blankets has been
increased. Certain woods that can only be
procured from abroad are essential to the
Utilization of the domestic woods and the duty
on it increases by the amount thereof the cost
of wooden manufactures, and lessons their
consumption at home and precludes American
manufacturers from competing in foreign
markets If wool were exempt from duty, as
is provided in the Mills bill, the American
manufacturer could then compete in the
markets of the world, and not be confined to
the demand in this country. This larger field
would make an increased demand for the
domestic wool, and as the price is governed
by the demand and supply, present rates
would be maintained or increased and sheep
raising would become more remunerative.
But if there should be fall in prices, which
is not at all probable, the farmer would more
than make up the difference by the decreased
price Of clothing and blankets.
Not only would free wool benefit the farm
err, but the whole people. By enabling the
manufacturer to enter into foreign markets,
there would be increased demand for labor,
and the reduction in prices of clothing and
other wooden fabrics would enable the con-
sumers to buy more literally and make an in
creased demand at home.
This protection" then to the farmer is not
protection, but hindrGnce, and as remarked
above, the sheep industry is not prospecting.
There is also duty on wheat, but it is as
useless as a fifth wheel to a wagon. No
wheat is imported, except in small quantities
for seed, and the United States is looked to
TO supply the deficiencies in other countries.
Annually millions of bushels are sold to Eu-
rome, and the American farmer, who pays
more for labor than the farmer of any other
country, has to sell his grain in competition
with the so-called pauper labor of Europe.
1t is so with cotton and tobacco. We raise
much more than suifices for the home de-
mand and the surplus is exported and sold
in European markets in competition with the
products raised with ''pauper labor"
While there is not, nor ever has been, any
protection for the farmer, the manufacturer
has been fed and pampered ever since the
foundation of the government. The duty on
imports is not laid for revenue to support the
government, but to exclude foreign importa-
tons and to allow the American manufacturer
to monopolize the home market and bleed
the farmer and other consumers at will.
There are no millionaire farmers, except those
who have grown rich in protected industries
and have retired TO farms as pastme rather
than to make living.
Surely "the American manufacturer ought
by this time be able to do the same'-that is,
compete with the world. He can do it, if the
Mills bill should become law, and thus place
raw materials on the free list. The majority
Of them, however, don't care to give up their
monopoly, with large assured dividends, and
they are trying to scare voters by predicting
rain to American manufacturers; and starva-
ton to the American mechanic. The Amer
lean mechanic need not be frightened. Man
nfactories viii not close. The owners love
their big dividends too dearly to stop, and
they will not allow invested capital to dwin-
die by permitting buildings and machinery to
remain idle and fall into decay.
Besides, the high tariff does not benefit
him. The profits which high tariff insures,
are not divided with him. but are pocketed by
the manufacturers. Millionaires are very
common among manufacturers, but there are
none among the mill operatives. In fact a
very small percentage of them even own the
little houses that shelter them and their fam
lilies, and poverty is the rule among them.
Their wages as a rule will not more than suf
flee for present necessities, aad during old
age, only the aims house is open to them or
the charity of younger relatives.
This government needs very large revenue
annually for its expenses, and tariff laid to
produce that revenue viii be ample protection
for our ''infant industries the youngest of
which is now of more than voting age. 1t is
time that manufactures should stand without
special governmental protection, and the peo
pie freed from taxation that is ruinous to
the consumers engaged in unprotected en-
observation-disclosures. carpenters, blacksmiths,
masons, brick layers, lawyers, doctors, and
others. 1t is time, too, that the flow of money
into the treasury at the rate of about $780,,
O0O, 900 more annually than is required for
the purposes of government should be stopped,
and this money left in the pockets of the
people. When money is scarce prices are
low; when plenty, prices are high.
If the $3.50, 100000 now in the treasury
were Embossed TO the people, there would be
a general revival of business of all kinds; and
unless taxation is reduced, and this money
returned to the people, serious financial dis
aster is certain.