The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-10-16
Practical Conclusions.

The Republicans of the South have
argued that the true interests for their
section, as to economic questions, is
embraced in the protective policy We
have the raw material, out of which the
North has become rich. The supplies
there are giving out, and they want to
import them, duty free, in order to make
their factories pay Ours are in their
virgin state. With manufactures loca-
ted where the raw material is located,
we could compete with the world, when
tariff duty is laid to make up the
difference between the low wages of Eu-
rope and the well paid labor of this
country. The Mckinley bill aims to adj
just the tariff upon these lines. In do
ing SO, it will benefit the South more
than the North, if we will avail of the
advantages it affords, by establishing
manufacturing Industries. @
3 In this line Of thought we find the
Lynchburg Nesos, one of the most
thoughtful and intelligent Democratic
papers In the State, endorsed by the
Norfolk Ledger, another conservative,
Democratic journal. The Nesos says:
For twenty years or more the South has been
complaining Of the heavy taxes 1t has had to
pay to Northern manufacturers through the
high tariff. Now that the duties are to be largely
increased by the new tariff bill, we may expect
to hear great deal more OF the same talk.
Meanwhile the South Is losing great opportu-
nifty. The Mckinley bill Is bound to become a
law Mr.. Cleveland's inopportune message post
poned tariff reform for ten years at least. In
asmuch, therefore, as we cannot change the tariff
laws for long time to come, would it not be good
policy to take advantage of them? II the increas-
ed duties make manufactures so enormously pro-
ntable in the North, why should not we at once
build mills and shops all over the South, and
thus get our share of this big proft? If, as is
Claimed, we can manufacture many articles
SUCH as cotton and iron, cheaper than they can
pc produced In the North. surely we ought to
get the benefit of this increased profit. AS there
seems no doubt about the passage of the tariff
BILL and since 1t must continue for number
of years without material change, let us at once
take advantage of it,.and establish here some of
those industries which have made even cold and
barren New England rich and prosperous to a
degree that, with all our superior natural ad-
vantages, we have never approached.
Fl With some modification, this is a CON
fession to the correctness of all that the
Republicans of Virginia have contended
for on the tariff It is an acknowledge
ment that the Republican policy of pro-
lection is right for the South, and that
with it the raw materials which exist
with us In unlimited abundance, can be
utilized to the material wealth and po-
litical power OF our State and section.
Under the operation of the Mckinley
bill and the wise protection it affords,
Virginia will become one Of the greatest
States in the Union, and the South
march forward on the lines of material
progress at a rate that has never be-
fore been witnessed anywhere. The
protective policy is to be established in
this country. The present law will stand |
for ten. years at least, which will re-
suit in degree of Industrial progress
unprecedented in the history OF govern
MeAts. ~