Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-04-04
Our Roekbridge Industries.

The object of a protective tariff is said to
be to build manufactures. That under it,
since the war, American manufactures have
increased, there can be no question how
much of this increase is directly due to it is
different matter. This much is certain, IT
has built up no manufactures in Rockbridge
and all classes of people here pay bounty
to the rich manufacturers of other sections.
This county is naturally adapted, by its re-
sources and climate, for manufactures. lts
people in more primitive times showed
natural disposition and talent in that d.
rection, but under ourpresent tariff there has
been no development manufactures have
decreased rather than increased. Why
have not the industries of Rockbridge de-
veloped under a fostering care claimed to
be so beneficial in other sections This is
a nut we would like for the citizens to crack
who believe in the benefits of protection.
Our solution is that protection has proved
detrimental to Rockbridge industries and is
having that effect to-day. Whilst it has in-
creased the cost of articles manufactured,
it has at an equal rate, say from twenty five
to 100 per cent, increased the cost OF the
manufacturers plant. Per cent sounds
small, but even in small sums it is tremen-
dous item. This limited the number who
could manufacture. Besides, the large prof
its made, induced large investments by
moneyed men. The larger the plant the
greater the advantage enjoyed, and when
man of small means invested his all in
plant for manufacturing, made doubly cost
ly by the tariff, he soon found himself a
bankrupt by being brought into competition
with rich corporations. To which class have
our people belonged? Two of the best,
perhaps the very best manufacturing plants
in Rockbridge are idle to-day, Victoria fur
mace and the foundry of the Lexington
Manufacturing Co. If we are correctly in
formed the trouble in both cases is the same,
the plant in each case cost so much that no
one is willing to pay such rent as will
yield fair interest on the money invested.
Yet we are looking to tariff to build up
Rockbridge industries.
There is an industry that is now attract
ing much attention among our people, the
eannery industry. The capital required for
this plant is not large, those who engage in |
it will therefore pay but small bounty to !
Northern manufacturers. There is one |
large item of expense, however, and that is |
the cans. These they could purchase at |
from One-half to two-thirds of the present |
price if it was not for the duty of one cent
per pound on tin plate. The Ways and |
Means committee of the House of Represen-
tatives in addition to many other measures
which it proposes for the relief of Ameri-
can people, proposes to take off the tax on
tin plate and relieve the manufacturers and
the people of this burden, but Mr.. Randall
who poses as the friend of American labor
and industries insists that the tax instead of
being taken off shall be doubled.
The first is directly in the interest Of the
farming as well as the manufacturing indus
sries of the country, the latter in the inter-
asst of the rich Pennsylvania manufacturer
Alone The fight in Congress to-day may
be said to be between the two classes here
represented, the body of the people on the
one hand, and the rich manufacturer and
his henchman on the other. With which is
t to the interest of the people of Rockbridge
% ally themselves ?-Rockbridge News.