Bent County register., 1888-09-29

lars per ton. Applying more labor,
they may be converted into watch
springs worth more than twice their
weight in gold. This is the result
of labor, and 1t is evident that this
kind of work cannot be carried on
here useless the men engaged in it
are protected by duties high enough
TO cover the difference between for
eign and American wages. This is
what protection does, and, therefore,
tariff framed for this purpose is
called ''proiective" tariff.
W.-Are there any other reasons
why protective tariff is better for
our country?
Ans.-Yes: there are several other
reasons. l will mention some of
them:
lst.-By creating and sustaining a
variety of important industries which
otherwise could not exist here, it di-
versihes the occupations of our peo
pie, and thus affords fields for their
different qualities and talents. 1t
also prevents too many persons from
crowding into q few industries. For
example, the people employed in
manufactures are Withdrawn from
farming, and become consumers of
food instead of producers. This pre-
vents excessively low wages IN farm
ing. and raises the price of tarm-pro-
duets.
I'd. l. cheapens the price of the
things which are protected by en-
couraglng competition among those
engaged in producing them.
WHY, then, was it ever adopt
ed?
Ans.-To make long story short,
England had for centuries strong
protective tariff, and under it built
up tiourishing manufactures, and in
creased the prosperity of the people.
But about fifty years ago her manu-
fac:urers found they were producing
more than they could sell, and need
ed larger foreign markets. By a
large expenditure of money and the
use of able speakers, they finally Sc
cured a majority of Parliament In
favor of measures which would en-
able them to reduce the wages so
that they could make goods cheaper
than other nations. To do this all
duties were taken off farm products
Ito get the cheapest food-wherever
it could be found. The protective
policy had developed her manufact-
ures SO that she excelled all other
nations in skill. She had plenty of
coal and iron but an insufficient sup
ply of other raw materials. She
topened her ports free to the raw ma
terials of other countries, and as she
did not fear competition she advocat-
ed free trade among all nations, to
secure unrestricted access for her
own goods in foreign markets. This
scheme seemed at first to succeed,
but gradually it was observed that
England was losing all her farmers,
and that many other industries were
suffering and slowly perishing 1t
now appears that her prosperity for
= time under this tariff-for-revenue
policy was due to accidental causes,
which having passed away, have left
Der in worse condition than before,
with enormous investments IN ma
chinery to supply foreign markets,
which are now either protected
against her manufactures, or have
become her rivals in skill and exper-
fence. Meanwhile her people have
become untitled for agriculture, and
are only enabled to live by underbid-
ing the operatives of other nations
in wages.
W.-If the tariff-forrevenue policy
has been of such doubtful advantage
for England, is there any reason why
it could be adopted here with better
result?
Ans.-None at all. On the con.
hary, England. owing to her small
size and limited range of agricultural
productions, had some special reason
for advocating free trade in food and
raw materials. To extend her man
ufactures she was compelled to i'm.
mort largely, and with her coal and