Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-10-31
Becoming Convinced.

>
polite; even Republican organs, espec-
tally OF the west, are beginning to see
the fallacy of the doctrine which they
have been forced to advocate. The
Atchison (kansas) Champion, Il stanch
Republican organ, in its issue of July
3lst throws off the bonds of tlIraldom
aud in Il vigorous editorial, shows how
the agriculturalist is paying a heavy
annual subsidy to the manufacturers
OF the east. We excerpt few para
graphs:
"Whcn such recognized Republican
leaders as James G. Blaine and Preston
Is. Plumb essay to depart very widely
from their lifelong convictions on the
tariff question, it certainly will not be
seriously cOntended that other Republi-
cans, who have never faltered in their
adherence to the protective-tariff idea,
forfeit their party standing or furnish
grounds for impeaching their Republi-
canism, If they too, upon mature de-
liberation, make bold to express views
on that subject at variance with the
accepted party dognlas.
For over 30 years the Champion has
advocated and defended the protective
tariff theory. 1t has argued the ques-
ton with all the logic at its command.
1t has furnished columns of facts and
figures in support of protection versus
free trade. Sincere in its belief that
the only true economic policy for this
country was protection to American
industries" it has neglected no Oppor-
tunity to set forth its advantages, and
to combat what it has invariably desig-
mated the free trade heresy. Being a
Republican journal, it has specially
emphasized the Republican doctrine.
Recently, however, the Champion has
discovered certain reasons for very
materially changing its mind On this
subject, and at this writing it has no
hesitancy in declaring that, all senti-
ment and bias aside, while protective
tariff is decided and almost indispen-
sable benefit to the east, the great
manufacturing and financial strong
hold OF our country, for the west, the
great agricultural area of our land, it
is positive injury, a barrier to its pro-
gress, an insurmountable hindrance to
its development, and an effectual es-
toppel to its material prosperity.
What has led the Champion to this
conclusion, this radical change in its
economic opinions? Briefly this: 1t
has found that under the dominance
OF the protective idea, the east has
steadily grown in wealth at the ex-
pense and TO the detriment of the west.
In other words, that eastern manufac-
turers and capitalists have increased
their accumulations enormously, while
the farmers of the west have, during
the same period, made no proportionate
gain, but, on the contrary, have been
reduced to condition Of vassalage, of
tribute-paying serfs.
To put it in still another form. The
capitalists and manufacturers in the
east, aided and abetted by protective
tariff, have made money in fabulous
sums, while the farmers of the west
have been scarcely able to maintain
themselves respectfully. Not only so,
but eastern manufacturers and capital
lists have, by reason of this protective
tariff, been placed in a position where
their financial power gives them prac-
tical control of our government in al,
its debartments, 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 virtu-
ally politically disfranchised.
These facts have induced the Cham
pion at this time to make public its
conviction that a protective tariff is
one of the many things the west does
not want, and cannot afford to sustain.
The western farmer has no interest
whatever in protective tariff. His in
terest rather lies in the direction of
free trade-of access to all markets.
wherever his products may be in de.
mand. It is for his interest to sell
what he raises wherever in all the wide
world he can find purchaser, and thus
provide himself with the means of dis
posing OF his surplus crops. Not only
is he vitality interested in securing all
possible markets, but equally so in
buying what he needs as cheap as pos
ssble. Sell where he may and buy at
the lowest figures; 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 opportu-
nifty to buy what it requires at less than
half it now pays for the same articles.
Lumber, hardware, furniture, cloth
ing, groceries and agricultural imple-
ments-these the west needs princi-
pally. Free trade will bring the things
to us at figures far below protective
prices.
In all this the Champion speaks
solely from self-interest. 1t is with
States and sections as with individual
acknowledgements is the first
obligation. A due regard to our Sec
tiOnal preservation, our Territorial in
terest, demands the adoption of free
trade-commercial reciprocity with all
nations. The east, as we have stated,
has grown dangerously rich by means
of protective tariff; now let the west
assert itself and use the means at its
command to change its economic policy
to one more conductive 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 any
particular set OF politicians, for it
touches our life and is indissolubly in
terwOven with our existence.
Protection continued 20 years longer,
and the west, with its vast agricultural
possibilities, would be pauper bound
hand and foot. Let us who live here
in the west be fools no longer, but let
us exercise our common sense and pro-
tect our own interests by obtaining,
just as quick as dossible, the freest
trade with all its attendant benefits"
These truths coming from Repub-
lican organ, are, in the main, what the
Democrats have taught, and every
voter, whether Republican or Demo-
crat. in this country should carefully
weigh these hcts. Which is best for
you, high protection or unrestricted
commercial exchanges? Answer this
question for yourselves. Let no polit-
ical demagogue answer them for YOU.
You ought to know best what is to
your interest, and cast your vote ac-
cOrdingly.
THE channel line from Olympia to
Victoria is III miles.