Wichita eagle., 1889-02-07
WE MUST HAVE PROTECTION.

To the Editor of the Eagle.
If / had three things want we could
revolutionize Kansas. One would be,
profitable employment for the young:
another. profitable employment for the
middle aged; and another, profitable en-
ployment for the aged. and they are all
found in silk culture if free trade in raw
silk did not allow China and Japan to
degrade US 70 their level. We, as Amer
lean citizens. have right to be protected
against foreign silk. We viii never get
that right exercised unless we ask for it
/ am told that the objection to granting
US a duty ON silk comes from
a desire to keep our surplus
reduced. Then let us have
that surplus in bounty to encourage
and develope silk culture; let the duty
be 25 per cent and the bounty % per
cent, which would cover the cost of col
lecting and dispensing the bounty. A
desire to reduce the tariff, or an unwill-
ingness to place one, on raw silk at this
time, when the balance of trade is
against us, Is unjust and altogether I'M
reasonable.
The development of home industry is
the keystone to American stability,
Without it we must return to barbarlsm.
There is no better way to stop the drain
of specie that is taking away the life
blood of the nation. We have no right
to be prodigal with our gold and silver.
squandering it in foreign land, when we
need it at home. 1t is time this deple
ton stopped. We are not indebted to
China and Japan that we must needs
trade with them. We should not con-
tinue the practice of sending abroad to
hire laborers and leave our own people
out of employment-an occupation they
would gladly engage in.
Now is an opportunity for Kansas to
reach out and accept one of the most
desirable and most natural industries
presented to US. Now is the time to
place herself foremost in silk culture.
There ought to be no hesitation of her
people and legislature in petitioning
congress to assist and protect her. Our
government cannot be preserved if it
fails to fulfill its duties to provide the
people of America with ample protec
ton. Without it silk culture as
national industry must languish and de-
cay. If we lose it America loses one
of her most promising industries. 1t
cannot, it must not be. Kansas sun
shine, Kansas Usage, Kansas soil, Kansas
winds and dry weather was made for
silk culture-made to save the millions
we have been sending abroad for foreign
silk. If congress will assist we can save
one Of the greatest blessings ever con-
ferred upon the people of the civilized
world. silk is to the fabrics what gold
is amongst the metals and the diamond
jewels"
I am just in receipt of a let
ter from Junction City which
reads: "Work for the tariff.
1t is the only hope for competing with
the old world" And one from Wash
ington, Kansas: 1.-The industry cannot
be prosecuted successfully in this coun-
try without protective duty" And an
appeal from lady on Central avenue in
saying: 'For Gods sake give
me some profitable home employment
for my dear children" And another
from a man in Hutchinson: .'If knew
it was profitable | would gladly devote
all my spare time to it. And still an
other from an old gentleman at Topeka:
My life would pass away more pleas
antly if had some light work to do
[ was told that the eastern silk manu-
facturers would oppose it. l wrote to
Congressman Peters about it and he an
swered me that he was just talking with
a prominent silk manufacturer and he
SAID they would not oppose it if the duty
on manufactured goods was increased in
What trade would be lost
abroad would be gained in this country.
Let US look at the imports of realed silk
and waste silk at New York and San
Francisco during the last SIX years and
then estimate, as / have frequently done
for you in this paper, the facilities we
have for growing this silk in Kansas,
and YOU cannot avoid the inevitable con-
clusion that we want duty. and must
have one. We imported reeled silk to
10 value of: