Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-03-16
The Republican Plan versus Free Trade

The Free Traders are constantly harping
about the admission Of foreign built ships
to American registry, crushing out the
American ship yards, so IA to open foreign
markets to American manufactures and to
supply the freight accommodations which
the United States trade with foreign ports,
especially those of South America, de-
mand. They overlook the more important
fact that our manufacturers rs yet are un-1
able to supply the demands of our home
markets. Our iron and steel mills have
been running with full force and our
workmen have been receiving double
the pay Of European workmen in like in
dustries, yet during the past five years we
were unable to supply this home market,
and we imported 1898 ,OOO,W0 worth of
manufacture. of iron and steel. In the
last five years we have imported in value
Of wool and its manufactures, a large pro-
portion of which wool should have been
raised and goods should have been manu-
featured in this country, s24s 900, 900. In
the manufacture of cotton goods the same
IL true, and in five years have come into
our markets sl47 900 900 manufactures Of
cotton. In the last five years We imported
OF manufactures of silks, sl72,0OO, 900,
or about S35 500, 600 per annum. Nearly
s75, OO0, 900 worth of dutiable chemicals
have been imported into the United States
In the last five years, or $4,000, 900 per
year. or earthern ware Of all kinds and
china we have imported In five years to
the value Of s33, OO0, 900. In flax and
manufactures OF the same we have I'M
ported In five years to the amount OF
9lll 900, 900. In glass and manufactures
Of the same in five years we have brought
from Europe s30,0O0,0oo to $4,000, 900.
In hemp, jute and manufactures Of the
same in five years we have imported to
the value Of S54, 100000. In silk, cotton
and linen cmbroideries in the past
four years from 1880 to 1884
we received from foreign markets to
the value of sl7,OOO,OOO. Thus In five
years foreign producers have supplied
our markets with goods to the value Of
d, l30, 900, 200 and these are far from in
clmding all importatious, which to very
large extent could be produced In this
country. Thus It is seen, at a glance,
how vastly more important are our home
markets than even the most successful
trade with foreign markets. The Free
Traders would deliver our home markets
to the cheap labor and capital Of the
foreign producer, and push on a wild
goose chase after foreign markets for the
sale Of our own productions. The Pro-
tectionists, sensible and practicable, would
hold fast to the enormous advantages OF
home markets, seeking to bring labor,
skill, and capital to our water-power, our
coal fields, and our farm lands and
prairies, at the same time would provide
suitable mail service and steamship ac
commodations to South America and
other foreign countries. The former is
the theory Of the Golden Club and the
Old South In the saddle. The latter is
the plan Of Hamilton, Washington, Clay,
Lincoln, and the Republican party Of
to-day, to which the New South Is looking
with glowing hopes and determined reso-
luton.
It Is said that Bismarck, when at Varzin,
his favorite country seat, is second only
to Mr.. Gladstone in Telling trees. His
next weakness is to help in his brewery
his Judgment in the matter Of malt being
infallible. He is known to he superstitious.
and will pause in the dictation of an inn |
portant dispatch on the first stroke Of
twelve ON Thursday night, rather than |
continue on what he views, like so many |
others, as his unlucky dsy-Friday. Be
fore leaving for the invasion Of France In
July, 1870, he partook Of the sacrament in
his bedroom in full uniform.
Fhe Canadians are agitating the sub
ject Of deepening the st. Lawrence river
and canals. 1t would take many years
and much money to remove the shoals,
but navigation would be increased. Canada
has tried various expedients to improve
her commercial situation, but nothing will
bring fully the desired result but annexa-
ton to the United States.
Louisiana has discovered that Mr.. Mills
has made his biggest cut in the grades of
sugar which make up the Louisiana crop.
This fact will not help the Democratic
party In Its efforts to retain the State at
the spring and fall elections. The Repub-
L.