Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-08-29
Inconsistency of Free Trade Attor-


neyS.
The free trade attorneys have several
strings to their eolian harp, each set to
different tune, according to the presumed
necessities of the situation. The voters
ear will be tickled with his favorite 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 be
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 a
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 bless
ings which free trade has in store for its
advocates.
But the manufacturer is likely to de-
tect 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 he will but join in the worship of
the image that the Golden club has set
up.
Who Sc blind as not to see inconsist-
ency in all this?
The farmers profit is now diminished by
expense of transportation TO centers of
consumption, and many are barred the
production of certain profitable crops by
remoteness from markets. His obvious
interest is to have markets nearer to the
farm, and when possible sell in bis own
county rather thanin Europe. He should
remember that every man kept at work
and earning wages in some other occupa-
ton than farming lessons competition 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-
chanical 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,
al 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, improving
streets, etc., ceases, he is the first thrown
out of work, and the least able of all to
endure enforced idleness. As his depart
ment of labor is one requiring strength
rather than skill, it is the most of all ex-
posed to competition.
And the manufacturer, howis he to get
the promised hold upon the markets 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? Obvious
ly in but one of two ways: The Amer
lean manufacturer to secure markets now
monopolized by Europeans must either
supply better goods at the prices now paid,
or he must supply equally good articles
for less money. II he makes the sacrifice
the cheapening must fall either upon The
material used or the labor put upon the
finished product.
In face of the fact that $3.50 900, 900
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 for
eign trade must be apparent to all except
those who will not see it.