Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-01-18
How High Protection Works.


How High Protection Works.
Here Is something brifly stated which
comes directly home to the Augusta county
farmer as it does to his brethren in all our
country. j.
Look at the crowded millions Of people OF
the German Empire who would be buyers
of good bread-supplies, and consider the
total inadequacy of production In 'ns'
country to meet the demand. They WOMB
gladly import Of the surplus millions OF
bushels produced in the United States ou'
a high protective tariff excludes us ITO"
the markets of that country. The grain
producers of the German Empire nave oe'
manded increased protection through
still higher tariff, just as our manufacturers
of wooden goods, &C., demand high tarin
for their protection. Now, we sell gram
and flour, and buy wooden fabrics and the
tariff of the two countries cuts from both
sides of the farmers resources. He is ex
cluded, with his surplus grain, from enter
ing the German markets, and has to pay
from 40 to 100 per cent more for manu-
featured goods than he would If there was
a well-adjusted exchange of commodities
between the two countries. But oh, the
"infant industries must be fostered, ex-
claims the manufacturer, though the pro-
ducer is driven to the wall.
1t needs no prophetic vision to foresee
the fearful decay of the agricultural inter-
ests of the old States OF our Union that will
be realized, if the policy of forcing soil-pro-
duction to bear, not only more than its
share in supporting the Government, but
of forcing it to pay greedy and unreason-
able profits to the manufacturing indus
tries, be not abandoned.
The recent improved condition Of the
grain-markets in the United States is the
result of the state of things in the great
Western wheat and corn-belts, and not to
the foreign demand, which, with the ex-
ception Of that of Great Britain, is ham
pered with restrictions. Had the two past
seasons been propitious in the West, we
would not be realizing 80 cents to-day for
wheat in staunton, as 70 cents would more
likely, be the figure here, contending with
a great Western surplus and high tariff
excluding us from many Of the countries OF
the old world, where the people are beg
ging for the opportunity Of having the
benefit Of our surplus, but are denied the
privilege on the ground that the United
States legislates against liberal exchange
of commodities, and Germany must pursue
u retaliatory policy. Let our producers
turn these facts over in their quiet ref1ec-
tiohs
But to return to the direct matter about
which we commenced to write. The tariff
adopted recently by the German Parlia-
ment fixes the duty on wheat and rye at
from 70 cents to S1.19 per 100 Kilograms
equal to two and two-thirds bushels-and,
observing the same measurement, the duty
on corn is 234 to Al 6-10 cents oats from
II to 95 cents buckwheat same as corn ;
barley same as oats.
Here is a protection to the German
farmer, which excludes the American of the
same pursuit with his surplus from enter
ing the markets of that country. Now let
US make home application of this system
of commerce. The Augusta farmer comes
to Staunton with his samples of wheat
corn, hay, &c. He goes around to see oul
dealers in these staples, and ascertaining
the price each is paying and then SELLS
That is all right, and is free and open trade
Just to the producer and just to the
dealer. But take this view-suppose there
were tariff gates at the corporate limits on
all the roads, aud before the farmer could
drive his wagon in, he must pay from % to
SO cents on the dollars value of his prod
uot. Would not that tax reduce the profit
value of his .produce, though he received
the full quoted amount when selling
Now, that is the effect of the German tariff
on our staples. "It is indirect and moi
felt" the advocates of high protection
answer. 1t is about as direct as anything
We ever looked at.
Now, by the time the farmer pays the
bounty required of him to protect the So
called "infant industries he is getting in
blue way. The farmer is almost helpless
for remedy. He asks not for discrimina-
tion in his favor, nor is it just to BIN to
make him pay more than the real CONNER
cial value Of the fabrics he buys. The un-
reasonable profit which he pays, does not
go to his neighbor and friend, the home
merchant, with whom he deals but ii
goes to the manufacturer, aud is added to
fair cost of the article-its real CONNER.
cial value-to make the few THAT are rich
through special legislation for their bene
ft) ''richer, and the poor, poorer"
To PROVIDE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
In the Senate on Friday last, Mr.. Dupuy