The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-01-12


Madison in advocacy of protection, is
strong one, by no means less SO from
being wholly free from invectiye. Mr.
Johnson's conclusions ere incontestable
but the fault lies in his premises. No
one will deny that a revision of the tam
would be suicidal policy If followed b!
the wreck of domestic industries which
Mr.. johnson SO confidently predicts
But to predicate these results and to
show they naturally follow from revis
ion of the tariff ARE wholly different things.
Mr. johnson assumes the very point IL
issue between tariff reformers and pro
tectionists and proceeds to build upon il
an argument which no one questions il
lis assumption is correct. II it is certain
bridge Will not bear any added weigh
it is folly to attempt to cross it. But to
assume it will break down, with demon
stration to the contrary by constant use,
should deter no one from attempting its
passage.
The article opens with an euloguln
upon American enterprise and ability
but soon indicates an absence OF these
qualities by admitting inability on th'
part of Americans to compete with peopl'
OF other countries less gifted in the per-
sonal attributes which secure success and
less favored in all these circumstances
which give us national pre-eminence.
Our enterprise and ability" are trans
formed into shivering consciousness OF
inferiority when invited to measure
stature with other people, and like
frightened children we reach for the
apron strings Of protection for comfort
| and refuge. Our lofty assumption OF
superiority appears ridiculous while we
are handled in the arms of a wet nurse,
| and while we draw sustenance from the
| teat of protection our boasts of "enter-
prise and ability" make peculiarly proper
! the term "infant industry" but in the
sense of clustering pueribty.
Mr.. johnson argues as if decrease in
| government revenue was the only object
| of tariff reform. But the surplus is only
one of the many evils OF our present
| tariff system which it is desirable TO have
| eliminated. The revenue which the
| government receives is but light por-
| ton Of the tax to which the people are
subjected by reason of the tariff. The
statesmen who would reduce the revenue
of the government to actual needs by
removing the internal revenue taxes on
tobacco and alcohol used in manufacture
ing, persistently ignore the complaint
| that it is the tax levied by the domestic
| manufacturer which is burdensome to
the people and from which they demand
relief.
Mr.. johnson argues that capital wants
assurances of profit before it embarks in
manufacturing. Where should it look
for profit! Would it not seem to be in
| keeping with that enterprise and ability"
which are characteristics of the American,
to look for profits ID legitimate channels?
The little local paper which now demands
| support not for the value of the news it
gives but because it is party organ, is
an object of laughter. But the man.
| ufacturer demands a subsidy because,
forsooth, he employs his capital. No
man should ask more from society
than he gives in return. The laborer
who would demand subsidy for his
| willingness to work, in addition to the
wages which fairly represent the value of
his labor, is not whit more impudent in
his demands than the manufacturer.
And he can urge his claims to subsidy
with fully as good reason as the manu-
facvlrer. Without him capital would
! find no investment, towns would not be
built up and farmers would have no home
market. Indeed, protection is said to be
for his benefit now. Suppose he should
demand it Iii the manner indicated, would
he continue to be an object of such tender
solicitude?
Mr.. Johnson's argument proves that
American capital wants to assume no
| risk. 1t places no reliance upon center
prise" and ability" 1t looks to govern
ment intervention to secure it profits.
1t breads foreign competition. 1t has
been SO tenderly nurtured that it refuses
to be divorced from its nurse. It will at
once yield the field if foreign competition
| is permitted. It has no trust in the
power of good management, business
sagacity and fair dealing to make invest
ment profitable. The English tramp who
has withstood the Bullets OF free trade
has grown strong and selfreliant and
would drive our nursing from his birth
right II tie barriers OF protection were
| removed. The boy that is always kept
In leeding strings will never attain manly
| Independence.
Mr.. Johnson's argument that free trade
would produce higher prices in this
country is wholly upon the assumption
that removal of the tariff would close
ali American factories. Does that seem
probable when we are said to be able to
compete on terms of equality now with
foreign nations in foreign markets?
| Would not the manufacturer gain some
advantage in getting cheaper raw mater
ial, cheaper machinery and, as protection
lists argue, cheaper labor? American
capital would not yield up the ghost SO
easily and there would be room for the
| exercise OF that enterprise and ability
whose place has been usurped by pro-
lection. 1t is absurd to argue that Eng
land would at once supply the 100000
tons OF iron now manufactured in the
United States, or that the two and one
half millions OF laborers would find their
occupation gone" should low tariff
prevail. II protection is responsible for
this state OF affairs and has given us in