Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-13
For PROTECTION.
The Tariff Policies of the Two Great Par
ties Compared-America or England.

out or sympathy with its doctrines and
measures. G. Q. Shayne Of New York
City, lifelong democrat in a recent
speech at Galway, n. Y. TO one Of the
largest political gatherings ever known
there, in answer to a request from his
old friends and acquaintance, to give
his reasons for the change in his politi-
cal IaIUh SAID. IN part:
cit is not q name that we should con-
tend for, but principle-love of coun-
try. American patriotism and common
sense should govern our motives. We
must draw the line the coming election
either vote for protection or free trade,
and be known in the future as either
friend to America and American homes
or a friend to England and English
manufacturers. / address you as Ameri-
cans, for the contest Is one between
America and Europe.
Mr.. Cleveland in his message adyo-
Gates a reduction of tariff, which tends
toward free trade. Mr.. Mills in his
tariff bill advocates the same, a needless
and wicked assault upon the industries
Of America. | will not stop to repeat
the trite arguments that sustain this
view; | will not tire you with a lengthy
repetition of the proofs that labor is bet
ter paid in America than any other
country in the world, or that our people
enjoy infinitely more of the comforts and
luxuries of life than any other people ON
the face of the earth. These things are
well known, and the lesson they carry
is SO plain as not to require extended
consideration. The question for your
consideration is, which party will you
support the coming election-the protec-
ton party? or the free trade party?
What is free trade? 1t means that the
ports of all countries are open to each
other, SO that one country can trade
with another without expense, duty or
tax. Which means: a. That the
American workman must compete
against the cheap labor of Europe. (2.)
Reduction of wages in every branch of
trade. g. Reduction of the earning
power of every dollar Of capital now in
vested in America. either in manufac-
turing, farming or any other pursuit.
Free trade is all very well so far as
European countries are concerned, where
it costs the same price for labor For
instance, a laboring man in England,
Ireland, Germany, Scotland. Spain, Italy
or China earns on an average of 40 cents
per day, In America the average is $1.20
per day. Now if the laborer of this
country is willing to work for the same
wages as the workmen of Europe. then
vote for Cleveland and free trade. Every
thing in this world finds its level in
time.
WOULD BUY THEIR SHOES IN EUROPE.
Suppose a man can make two pairs of
shoes a day. 1t costs S1.20 to make
them in this country and only forty
cents to make them in Europe. Take off
the protection tariff and every manufac-
his shoes made on the other side, bring
them over and sell them until our people
are too poor to buy.
Many of you within the sound of nv
voice remember the condition of the
poor people who worked in the paper
mills at Factory Village and at Rock
City Falls near by before the war. There
was no tariff for protection then; there
was slight tariff for revenue, but not
enough to afford protection for the poor
labOrers. | remember when | was boy
l would sometimes visit those paper
mills, and noticed frequently families
consisting of father. mother, sons and
daughters working from morning until
night, and then with their com bined
earnings could afford meat only once
week and poor food the balance. Their
little homes were poorly furnished, no
carpet on the floor, tables without COW
ers, no china; instead tin plates, lead
spoons and pewter mugs were used. On
Sunday they did not attend church, for
they were too poorly dressed, and all
this misery caused under the system
which MIR. Cleveland and Mills are advo-
eating to-day.
After the war. when the tariff was
raised so that paper could not be import
ed from England and Wales any cheaper
than it could be manufactured here, the
condition of these poor people improved
rapidly, and in a few years the children
attended school with good shoes and
neat clothes, and their little homes were
transformed from abodeS of misery to
those Of comfort and luxury. And this
improvement among the poor people of
the whole section continues, and this
under the protective tariff system.
Do you want to change this system?
Do you want to bring destruction and
ruin on our industries? Do you want TO
see a reign Of terror in our country? If
you do. then vote for Cleveland and free
trade.
ALL ALIKE FAVORED BY PROTECTION.
All are alike and equally favored by
the system which Cleveland, Mills & Co.
seek to overthrow. 1t is a National svs-
TEN, broad and universal In it's applica-
ton. If otherwise, it should be aban-
doned. 1t cannot be invoked for one
section or one interest to the exclusion
of others. 1t must be general in its APP
plication, within the contemplation of
the principle upon which the system is
founded, We have been living under -
since the war, and it can be said with
entire confidence that no country in the
world has made such rapid strides, such
marvellous progress in art, science and
civilization as ours. Tried and tested,
it should not be trified with. Do not let
it be trified with, my friends.
L beg OF you, my old friends and
neighbors, don't allow yourselves to be
misguided. Listen to reason, to truth,
everlasting truth. Study your own IN
teresU and your childre.i's interest. AS
I said in opening, you know me. was
born here; you know my record; you
know do not seek your votes for an
official preferment. | am not politician.
| have no selfish motives in talking to
you as | have tonight. | have no per-
sonal preference for Harrison more than
Cleveland. 1t is not a question of men
or individuals, but it is a question
Of principles, and l desire to see you,
my friends, stand by your homes and
your country.
Ny father, my uncles and cousins
were all democrats, and / was raised
among Democrats and always voted the
Democratic ticket. and you know that
Mr.. Cleveland had no stronger supporter
in 1884 than myself. But there was no
free trade issue then. Cur country and
its industries were mott jeopardy Now
that there Is danger of England getting