Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-04-14
Congress Should Listen to Business
Men.

In the North American Review there has
recently appeared series OF brief com
mon sense papers on the tariff crisis. from
prominent men engaged in various impor-
tant industries. They contain solid and
practical reasons for the maintenance OF
our protective system a. the only sure
means Of building up our home industries
and securing our home markets. They
constitute very important contribution
TO current tariff literature. and are far
more valuable than the elaborate essays
Of college sophoinores and Free Trade
professors. The arguments they advance
are based on their experience and practical
know ledge of facts a. manufacturers and
business men. While they are conserva-
tive and moderate in their statements.
their fact. and arguments are 80 strong
and conclusive that they cannot fail to
carry conviction to candid and impartial
minds. Mr.. Il. r. Jones. of Pitt-burg. the
esteemed Chairman of the Republican
National Committee, gentleman Of large
tAtp-fHfDtt anu FAlfHNihf buNiihfN7. i'Ht7
in this series of papers with an article on
iron and steel az effected by the Cleveland
Free Trade programme and the Mills bill.
He says:
The effect of the tariff legislation recon-
mended by the President in his recent mes
sage would be disastrous to the iron and
steel industries of the country, as have been
4. L.. III. -.
the past Henry Clay said in 1892: IF
were 10 select any terms of seven years since
the adoption of the present Constitution which
exhibited scene of the most widespread dis
may and desolation, it would be exactly that
term of seven years which Immediately pre-
ceeded the tariff of 1924. If the term of
seven years were to be selected of the great
est prosperity which the people have enjoyed
since the establishment of their present Con-
stitution, it would be exactly that period of
seven years which Immediately followed the
period OF that crisis of 1924"
The tariff of 1916 drove into bankruptcy
90 per cent of all those engaged in the manu-
facture of iron in Pennsylvania. Abram s.
Hewitt " rote in 1919: "Of fifteen rail mills
only two are in operation, doing partial work,
and that only because their inland position
secured them against foreign competition for
the limited orders of neighb ring railroads
and when these are executed not IA single
rail mill will be at work in the land"
Employment of workmen was greatly dl.
minished, resulting in extremely low wages
for those so fortunate as to secure it. In this
city of Pittsburg, famed for the industry and
frugality of its citizens, as well as the skill
and genius of its mechanics, thoughtful men
with strong arms and willing hands. were re-
duced to idlcness and want. These worthy
people were compelled to accept the charities
/ of the more fortunate. The Government
was brought to the verge of bankruptcy by
| the same cause.
! The tariff is simply question of wages
/ and rate of interest. If il were possible tC
( make the interest rate here as low as it is il
other countries for business purposes before
we shall have acquired corresponding
or possible to reduce wages to the pinching
standard of other countries. where every
member of "A family, old OF young. male OF
4 female, is compelled to labor to earn mis-
/ cradle living, there would he no necessity
/ for protective tariff, because our natural
! advantages are quite equal to the best. But
4 if We favor the policy which inspires labor
with hope, and crowns it with dignity which
/ gives safety to capital, and protects its in
crease; which secures political power t,
/ every citizen. comfort and culture to ever,
! home" We must have protection against the
/ products of foreigncheaP labor, which viii
assure contentment as well as loyalty to, AM
veneratiou for, government by the people