The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-08-28

1T is not question Of politics II ]"
squestion Of life or death.
These are the words OF Governor
Ames, Of Massachusetts, on the suDJe''
Of the petition Of the iron and steeI
manufacturers to the Representatives
and Senators Of New England.
We called attention last week to the
ruinous effect Of the tariff taxes on raw
material. in Connecticut. but the Gov
ernor of Massachusetts, covers IN hi'
remarks the whole Of New England IN
explanation of his signature to the peti-
ton asking for free raw materials.
To understand the range OF the disas-
ter TO these great interests 1t Is necessary
- remember that the system OF laying
the home consumer under tribute to the
manufacturers by giving the latter con
troll Of the home market was the Oh
Federal idea Of protective tariff, and
was inaugurated to foster Infant IN
dustries" to- hich it impaired the I'M
natural growth that has at last
made monster, and an ugly
and dangerous one. In the war OF 1917
the duties and taxes were admirably
handled. and the proiectionists sue
ce.ded in holding on to the war rate after
peace was established. just exactly a.
they have worked that game with the
war rates Of 1862 90, which 1t
was understood should be repealed
after the civil war closed. 1t 10 not
necessary to repeat. that in principle
aud ~ the results the high tariff Is al
wrong. aud a wholesale violation OF thu
principles Of our government that de-
mand taxation to support government
and not class legislation for the benefit
of the favored few.
The point about the petition OF the
New England iron workers IL that
these men have been brought to the
verge OF rum, end to the conclusion OF
the failure of high tariff as a working
principle in political economy, aud
when the representatives Of those great
interests unite in asking for a repeal of
the duties on coal and iron. it lis TACT
more eloquent than all tho political
speeches ana tracts, for 1t is an uncOn-
had ctable proof.
- 10 tho Ia
borsrs than to the manufacturers. foT
the after have saved enough money to
afford to seek some other bushes. and
leave the poor devils starving on the
REMEMBRANCE of the rose-tlntsd thee
ries of protecting American labor with
protective tariff.
So at last we begin to know that tax
ing raw materials is as much as to say
YOU shall not work on the same terms
NJ foreign workmeD, and the American
artisan shall not be allowed to compete
with the workmen of other countri, .
lie shall only work for small home
market, controlled by the few men lik,
Carnagie.
The petition refers to the duty OF
eighty per cent. as prohibtory. anc
asks that the ante-war rate Of twenty
four per cent. on pig iron, scrap iron
and scrap steel be restored.
The paper speaks of the Surviving
mills in referring to the somewhat
pathetic tale Of deserted villages aDo
towns and closed mills.
Since 1880 the decrease in business OF
the rolling mills has been forty psi
cent. all over New England.
Our short review Of this subJec'
would be incomplete without the local
argument, VIZ: that in the South the
advantage over the North, already re-
cognized. OF course increases when the
profit depends on logical principles In
stead OF arbitrary laws. As soon as the
protection is taken of or reduced. ns-
ture and reason assert their rights.