The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-09-25
Protection.

Protection.
1t is both amusing and disgusting to
read the long drawn articles in Demo-
cratic papers about tariff REFORM" and
the necessity of placing the Democratic
party In power to protect the interests
OF the people. The fact is, the country
was never more prosperous than it is to-
day under the protective policy OF the
Republican party; the farmer has never
received more liberal prices for the pro-
duets of farm and garden than now
taking all the products together; and
never had to pay less for what he buys.
Every article protected by the tariff is
cheaper than it was before the policy
was adopted; every interest Of the
country is more healthy and prosperous.
Every industrial enterprise every move
ment in the line OF improvement Is the
result of the protective policy. The
booming towns; the activity in real es-
tate; the increased business in every
department of trade, are the results OF
the protective policy. Virginia and the
South's future must depend upon that
policy. The young men who are re-
turning to their native State; those who
have determined to remain here instead
of ''going West" are influenced, unwitt-
ingly, it may be, by the protective policy,
and yet those who ought to know better
are theorising about tariff reform
another name for British free trade-de-
nouncing the protective policy as the
''robber policy" and falsely asserting
that it il establishing q plutocracy In
this country. where the peoples rights
are abidged and subordinated to the
money power" This is ignorant or de-
signed demagogueism. To return to the
revenue policy only; to abandon the
protective policy, would be to arrest the
progress OF the country silence the ma
chinery put out the furnace fires; throw
away the pick and shovel, and bring ma
terial death and desolation to Virginia.
the South and the whole country. 1t is
a fragrant and audacious crime against
the body polite to attempt to deceive
and mislead the people by such false no
tions Of economic questions and the
true welfare Of the people. rs the Demo-
cratic papers and speakers are guilty Of.
The people will not be deceived, how
ever. They recognize the changed con-
ditiOns for the better under the changed
policies. and will adhere to the protec-
tive policy.
Savings Bank.
One Of our correspondents several
weeks ago, suggested the sxpediency Of
establishing q savings bank in Staunton.
We regarded it at the time az timely
and proper suggestion. and we hope it
will receive form and substance at an
early day. Forty years ago and few
years later. a savings bank was success
fully conducted. with the lats BENZ.
Crawford president 1t answered the
purpose for which it was established,
admirably. After his death. or after
his fstiracy from the presidency. 1t was
discontinued, for what cause we do not
now remember. 1t was a bank Of dis
count as we'll as deposit. and accommo-
dated the people with small loans. In
conversation with a gentleman a few
days after our correspondents communi-
cation appeared. familiar with the work
ing OF such institutions In the North, he
earnestly favored the establishment OF
such bank, with the discount feature
omitted. At our request he promised to
formulate his views formed from expe-
rience and extensive observation for the
benefit Of the people Of Staunton. He
has not as yet done SO, but we hope will,
and that this reminder will prompt him
TODD 80 at once. We have no doubt a
we'll managed Savings Bank would be a
public benefaction, and serve a good
purpose for those whose business opera
tions are limited and especially the
laboring class. Many a dollar would be
put aside for rainy day il there were a
safe depository for 1t. instead of burning
the pocket until 1t was appropriated for
some unnecessary purpose. Habit is a
great thing with everybody, and the
habit of laying aside certain per cent
Of the weekly earnings in savings
bank would soon become second ma
ture, and result in handsome little
sum at the end OF the year, whore now
there is nothing-savings effected with
out depriving of any enthusiastically
clear gain OF that which would be mad
vertently squandered il carried in the
pocket.
We hope some of our citizens will take
hold of the lnattar and formulate plan
tor savings bank.