Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-08-22

The point was vigorously appiauded
by the Republicans who heard it.
INCONSISTENCY OF FREE TRADE
ATTORNEYS:
The free trade attorneys have several
strings to their eolian harp, each set to a
different tune. according to the presumed
necessities of the situation. The voters
ear will be tickled with his favorlte strain
and the music timed to his crudest step,
always provided that his toes point
toward the free trade camp.
The farmer is told that he, of all men.
should stand for free trade; that protec-
ton but adds to the price of what he
buys, ard 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 q
few solemn strains over the hardness of
his lot, IS melted with martial notes to
tumble down the wall of protection to
home industries and enter upon the bles-
sings which free trade has in store for its
advocates.
But the manufacturer is likely to de-
tect some dlscord in songs which promise
higher wages for laborer aud lower prices
for products. Another string is touched,
and there comes to him the grand prom
lse 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 pinlons of free
trade increased wealth will be borne
back to him, if he will but join in the
worship of the image that the Golden
Club has set up. ~.
Who is 80 blind as not 10 see inconsis
tency in this?
The farmers profit is now diminishe d
by expense of transportation to centres
of consumption, and many are barred
the production of certain profitable crops
by remoteness from markets. His obvi-
Gus interest is to have markets nearer to
the farm, and when possible sell IN his
own county rather than in Europe. He
should remember that every man kept at
work and earning wages in some other
occupation than farming lessons compe-
titlon in growing farm products. while
increasing demand and prices for the
same.
The mechanics interest lies in having
every dollar of wealth produced IN this
country kept at home and. spent in build
ing better houses, more machinery, finer
furniture-in short, adding to the facili-
ties of production and the ability of our
people to purchase the products of me-
chanlcal industry. Let him reflect upon
the disadvantage at which he would be
placed if compelled to depend for wages
upon some calling IN which he is not
skilled. In his own trade he Is an expert
at any other work he would be a novice.
The laborer, dependent upon others
for his means of support, is the first TO
feel the pinch of dull times. When
building factories, making railroads, inn
proving streets, ETC., ceases, he is the
first thrown out of work, and the least
able of all to endure enforced idleness.
AS his department of labor is one re-
quiring strength rather than skill, 1t ls
the most of all exposed to competition. z
And the manufacturer, how IS he to
get the promised hold upon the markets
of the world? These are already occu-
pied by the manufacturer of other ma
tions; otherwise they would not be SO
persistent to get into the markets of this
country. How are they to be displacede
Obviously in but one of two ways: The
American manufacturer to secure mark
cts now monopolized by Europeans must
either supply better goods at the prices
now paid, or he must supply good arti
cles for less money. 1t he makes the sac=
riflce, the cheapening process must fall
either upon the material used or the labor
put upon the finished product.
In face of the fact that $3.50, 600, ,OO0
were last year paid to foreigners for prO--
ducts which could as we'll have been
manufactured in this country, the folly
of further concessions in behalf Of free
foreign trade must be apparent to all ex-
capt those who will not see.