New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-20
FREE-TRADE ABSURDIIIES.
CONGRESSMAN REEDS KEEN ANALYSIS.

PRoPHET-CoNvINCING ANSWERS 10 FOOL
IsH THEORIES AND ABSURD LOGIC-PRo-
TECTION DOES NOT RAISE PRICES
PROTECTION ARGUMENTS FROM
BASTIAT-PRICEs FOR SIXTY
MILLION FREEMEN NOT
TO RE FINED BY
A DOZEN MEN.
WASHINGTON, May I0-Mr. Reed Of Maine,
delivered his long-expected speech on the tariff
and the Mills bill in the House Of Representatives
to-day. For about two hours he held the closest
attention of his hearers in remarkably clear and
pungent statement of the protectionist doctrines.
Mr. Reed spoke in part as follows:
propose discuss to-day some Of the general prin-
cipes which, in my opinion underlie the two modes
Of national action which arc contessedly in dispute
In Congress and in the country. shall treat the Bill
before their hearts the leaders on the other do
treat IT, step only in particular direction The
whole course Of the debate has gone that way and 81
Is Just and proper way. How important the propo-
stons at issue the intense interest already excited
by the pending two continents bears the
strongest wtness.that can be borne by men. Those
who living on this side Of the ocean, grow and make
articles which necessary for the comfort and hap
pncss of the people OF tho United states are on one
side OF question: while tho foreign manufacturers
foreign political economists, and foreign statesmen
Arc all on he other
This however, should not prejudice the question II
It be true that by having their goods manufactured
abroad the people Of tho United States as whole
would become richer and prosperous, would have
their houses better furnished, their tables spread with
finer linen and covered with healthful food If
their bodies would be protected by warmer woollens
from the cold of Maine and by finer clothing from
the burning of Texas If they would the whole
and from generation to generation enjoy more OF the
comforts and Injuries Of lfe and would themselves
Do more Intelligent moro INDEPENDENT ard better fitted
10 be citizens of Republic already great and destined
TO be mighty beyond all former dreams of empire, then
by all means let sink national prejudice burst the
barriers Of provincial narrowness and with accord
ADOPT not merely the present bill, but such legislation
viii surely treble the spndles Of Europe and destroy
cur own-such measures as viii put out furnaces
And illumine those beyond the sea.
Let vote for such laws as Will mako our mines
mere holes in the ground and stand aside behold the
glory alike OF free materials and cheap goods pur-
chased in the cheapest markets Let the tall chimncys
40 longer dsfguro our beautiful Skies, and let the
rushing streams flow to the unveXed by mIlwheels
thc urmnrs nndstufbed by the clash Of the shuttes
II protection be tax for manufacturers' benefit then
y the same tax II it he the result of even revenue
Tariff Incidental protection is OF all tho most mex.
cnsahc. il is an accident which ought TO be avoided
nke railway disaster. II when you take one dollar
a The citizen for thc Treasury ana ionr ior The man
revenue tariff II you gentlemen on the other side
Seievo what you say, you ought to be as furious
against the rapine and plumber OF the NILS bill you
profess to be against those of the present law.
THE INSPIRED WISDOM OF THE PROPHET OF
FREE TRADE
The President is tho leader Of the Democracy lie
also the dispenser OF patronage and as be Is rapidly
sa<Hng tho dust Of Civil Service Reform of his feet he
~ @soming control over HIS party One paragraph in
- message covers the whole ground Of protection and
trade, and points out the plain duty Of the Do
go Is but one free trade and tho President is is