The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-08-25
Inconsistency of Free Trade Attor-
neys.

The free trade attorneys haYe sey-
eral strings to their eolian harp, each
set to a different tune, according to
the presumed necessities of the stu
alton. The voters ear will be tickled
with his fayorite strain and the music
timed to his crudest step, always pro-
vided that his toes point toward the
free trade camp.
The farmer is told that he, of all
men, should support free trade; that
protection but adds to the price of
what he buys, and that his trouble
with the price of what he has to sell
comes from the fact that his market
is not far enough from home. The
mechanic is treated to the song of
cheaper food and raiment when free
trade comes The laborer after few
solemn strains over the hardness of
his lot, is melted with martial music
to tumble down the wall Of protection
to home industries and enter upon
the blessings which free trade has in
store for its advocates.
But the manufacturer is likely to
detect some discord in songs which
promise higher wages for labor and
lower prices for products. Another
string is touched and there comes to
him the grand promise Of the worlds
markets. He is told that goods which
Americans are unable to buy will
find ready purchasers beyond the seas,
and that on the pinions of free trade
increased wealth will be borne back
to him, if be will but join in the wor-
ship of the image that the Golden
Club has set up.
Who is so blind as not to see the in
consistency in all this?
The farmers profit is now diminish
ed by expense of transportation to
centers of consumption, and many are
barred the production of certain pro-
fitable crops by remoteness from mar
kets. His obvious interests is to have
markets nearer to the farm, and when
possible sell goods in his own country
rather than in Europe. He should
remember that every man kept at
work and earning wages in some other
occupation than farming lessons the
competition in growing farm products
while increasing the demand and
prices for the same.
The mechanics interest lies in hay
ing every dollar of wealth produced
in this country kept ut home and
spent in building better houses, more
machinery, finer furniture -in short
adding to the facilities of production
and the ability of our people to fur
nish the products of mechanical in
dustry. Let him reflect upon the dis
advantage at which he would be plac-
ed if compelled to depend for wages
upon some calling in which he is not
skilled. In bis own trade he is an
expert; at any other work he would
be novice.
The laborer, dependent upon others
for his means Of support, is the first to
feel the pinch Of duh times. When
building factories, making railroads,
improving streets, etc, ceases, he Is
the first thrown ont of work, and the
least of all able to endure the idleness.
As his department of labor is one re-
curing strength rather than skill, it
is the most Of all exposed to competi
ton,
And the manufacturer, how is he to
get the promised hold upon the mar
cts Of the world? These are already
occupied by the manufacturers of
other nations; otherwise they would
not be SO persistent to get into the
markets of this country. How are
they to be displaced? Obviously in
but one of two ways: The American
manufacturers to secure markets now
monopolized by Europeans must
either supply better goods at the pric-
es now paid, or he must supply equal
ly good articles for less money. If
he makes the sacrifice, the cheapening
process must either fall upon the ma
terial used or the labor put upon the
| finished product.
In the face of the fact that $3.50
O0O,O00 were paid last year to for
eigners for products which could as
well have been manufactured in this
country, the folly of further conces-
sions in behalf Of free foreign trade
must be apparent to all except those
who will not see.