Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-09-19
TARIFF RENOUNCED.
The Effects OF the Protective Tariff on
the West.
From the Atch,son Champion (Rep.)

! command. 1t has furnished columns
of facts and figures in support OF pro.
lection versus free trade Sincere in
its belief that the only true economic
policy for this country was "prOtec-
ton to American industries" ii has
neglected no opportunity to set forth
its advantages and 10 combat what it
has invariably designated the free
trade hcresy. Being Republican
journal it has especially emphasized
the Republican doctrine.
Recently, however, the ChdmPio.,
has discovered certain reasons for very
materially changing its mind on this
subject, and at this writing it has no
hestancy in declaring that, all scnti-
ment and bias aside, that while IL pro-
tective tariff is Il decided and almost
indispensable benefit to the east, the
great manufacturing and financial
stronghold OF our country, for the
west the great agricultural area of our
land, it is a positive injury, Il barrier
to its progress, an insurmountablc
hindrance to its development, and an
efie, tual eatoppcd to its material pros
pelity.
What has led the Champion TO this
radicat change in its economical opin-
ion? Briefly this: 1t has found that
under the dominance Of the protective
idea the east has steadily grown at
the expense and the detriment Of the
west. In other words that eastern
manufacturers and capitalists have
increased their nccumulations cnor-
mously, while the farmers of the west
have, during the same rsriod, made
no proportionate gain, but, on the
contrary, have been reduced to Il
condition of vassalage, of tribute pay
ing serfs.
To put it in still another form. The
capitalists and manufacturers in the
east, aided and abetted 10y protective
tariff, have made fabulous sums, while
the farmers of the west have been
scarcely able to maintain themselves
respectfully. Not only so. but eastern
manufactut r; and capitalists have, by
reason ol this protective tariff, been
placed in l,.sition where their inan-
cial power lives them practical con-
troll of our government in all its de-
partments, despite the votes and
wishes of the people of the Western
States-who by reason of being large
creditors, OF necessity borrowers OF
and dependents upon the east, are
virtually politically DISTINGUISHED.
These facts have induced the
Champion at this time to make public
its conviction that protective tariff
is one of the things the west does not
want and cannot afford to sustain.
The western farmer has no interest
whatever in protective tariff. His
interest rather lies in the direction Of
free trade-of access to all markets.
wherever his products may be in de-
mand. 1t is for his interest to sell
what. he raises wherever in all the
wide world he can find Il purchaser,
and thus provide himself with the
means of disposing'of his surplus crops.
Not only is he vitolly interested in
securing all possible markets, but
equally so in buying what he needs as
cheaply as possible. Sell where he
may, and buy ut the lowest figure;
this selfish as it may seem, is what
most concerns the western farmer.
Free trade will give the west the
markets OF the world and an oppor-
tunity TO buy what it requires ut less
than half it now pays for these same
articles.
Lumber, hardware. furniture, cloth
ing, these the west needs principally.
Free trade will bring these things to
us at figures far. below protective
prices.
In all this the Champion speaks
solely from the standpoint OF self-in-
terest. 1t is with States and sections
as with individual citizens-preserva-
ton is the first obligation. A due re-
gard to our sectional preservation, our
Territorial interest, demands the adop-
ton of free trade-commercial recip-
rocity with all nations. The east, as
we have stated, has grown dangerous
ly rich by means OF a protective tariff;
now let the west assert itself and use
the means as its command to change
its economic policy to one more con-
ducive to sectional welfare.
The question is broader than party
lines. 1t is more vital than mere for
NAL political organizations and more
essential than the dominance of anv
particular set of politicians, for it
touches our life and is indissolubly in
terwoven with our existence.
Protection continued twenty years
longer, and the west, with its vast ag-
ricultural possibilities would be a
pauper, bound hand and foot, Let us
who live here in the west be fools no
longer, but let us exercise our COM
mon sense and protect our own i'll
terests by obtaining just as quick as
possible, the freest trade with all its
attendant benefits.
JOHN Campbell, laborIng man in
Seattle, while coming down the railroad
track from Manning's wharf, felt an
arm thrown around his throat, but
quickly threw the man off and knocked
pistol from the hand of his assailant
into the bay. He started in and gave