The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-05-16
Encourage Manufactures.

In the year It'll Benjamin Franklin
wrote letter from London to Humph-
rey Marshall, Pennsylvania farmer
which contains as much valuable sug-
gestion rs was ever pressed into the
same compass, and as applicable now
to this extreme western state as IL
was to our colonies on the Atlantic
coast. "The colonies" said Franklin,
chat produce provisions grow very
fast. But of the countries that take
off those provisions some do not in
crease at all, as the European nations,
and others, as the West India colonies,
not in the same proportion; 30 that,
though the demand at present may be
sufficient it cannot long continue SO.
Every manufacturer encouraged in
our country makes part of a market
for provisions within ourselves, and
saves so much money to the country
as must otherwise be exported to pay
for the manufactures he supplies"
"Here in England" he adds, cit is
well known and understood that
wherever IL manufactorv is established,
which employs II number Of hands,
it raises the value of lands in the
neighboring country around it, partly
by the greater demand near at hand
for the produce of the land and partly
from the plenty of money drawn by
the manufacturers TO their part of the
country. 1t seems, therefore, the in
terest of all our farmers and owners of
land. to encourage our manufactures
in preference to foreign ones, imported
among from distant countries"
We do not remember to have seen
an earlier or clearer statement of the
advantages of encouragement to home
industries which has been the policy
OF this country since the establish
ment of the federal government. DR..
Franklin anticipated the practical
wisdom which has been expressed in
the legislation of congress and in the
development Of the diversified indus
tries of the country. 1t is quite as
necessary that the country should af
ford employment as that it should pro-
duce food. The little state of Rhode
Island had at the last census more
wealth per capital than any other
state in the Union, and yet it only pro-
dnces wheat enough to give its inhab-
ltants one breakfast in II year. The
annual wheat product of Massachus-
etts is only sufficient to feed its inhab-
itants one day. But it is no detriment
to these states that they are unable to
feed themselves, for this could not be
done without reducing their popuia ion
and diminishing the value of their ag-
ricultural lands. Their diversified in
dustries furnish employment for
thousands who in turn provide a mar
ket for the perishable articles Of daily
consumption, such as milk, garden
fruit and vegetables, hay, eggs and
poultry, which the small farmers thus
find It profitable to raise.
We have all the natural resources
Tor sell-sustaining commonwealth.
We have rich lands, timber, coal, iron
all the elements that distinctly des-
ignate this state for manufactures and
commerce as well as agriculture. 1t
is for the interest of all that there
should be II harmonious development,
resulting the greatest possible divisio n
OF labor We need particularly to en-
courage manufactures and commerce.
This, as we have shown, Was the wise
view of DR.. Franklin, who took more
satisfaction in hi; invention of IL
stove to be made in this country, than
in any other of his great achievements.
And yet DR.. Franklin was anticipated
IN practical wisdom applicable to this
state by an older prophet, in graphic
sketch of thrift and happiness, where
the carpenter encouraged the gold
smith, and he that smoothed with the
hammer him that smote the anvil.
They helped every one his neighbor;
and every one said to his brother: Be
OF good courage. Tacoma Ledger.