Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-08-02
THE "FAlR TRADERS"


A small Faction Of Engllsh Tories Who Fur
nish Literature For American ProteC
ti0nists.
There has recently sprung up in En-
gland q small faction Of Tory politi
clans who call themselves ''Fail
Traders" These men are protection
lists, but they do not take that name II
an atmosphere where protection 10 ai
out-worn superstition, discarded alik,
by the Tory Lord Salisbury and th'
Liberal Gladstone.
The Fair Traders" have only come
to the surface within the past few
years, and are totally without influence
upon the policy Of England. However,
they have started little paper and are
determined to make themselves heard.
This little paper is never heard of on
this side OF the water. except when it is
approvingly quoted by our protectionist
organ, the american Economist" to
show, forsooth, that England Is going
to adopt the great protectionist system.
1t may be said in passing that It Is a
most singular thing to see the Econo-
mist expressing pleasure over what II
fancies to be the growth OF protection
in England. The Economist ought to
know that more than half of our ex-
ports 60 to England, and that the sdop-
ton Of protection there would be very
harmful to us-especially to our farm
ers who produce about three-fourths Of
our exports.
The flair traders" consider the pres
ent policy Of England in trading with
other nations without any custom-house
restrictions to be un ust and unfair.
The goods of all countries are admitted
free into England, except few revenue
articles; but nearly every thing manu-
featured and exported by England has
to meet heavy duties upon passing into
other nations This the ''fair traders"
say is unfair, and they propose to make
1t fair, and hence their name.
But how do they propose to make 1t
fair? Let us take an illustration from
our treasury reports for the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1889. During that year
we bought in England, in round num-
bers, S21. 900, 900 worth of tin-plate, and
our Government made the American
buyers pay the further sum OF 81, $40, 900
as duty on it. Now we paid for our tin
plate, not in money, but in American
products OF some kind. Let us say for
that we paid it in -four.
The position Of the English ''fair trader"
then would DO this: 1--WE have sent
SCI, 600, 900 worth OF tin-plate,
but the American buyers were compelled
by their Government to pay 81, 900, 900 for
the privilege Of trading with us-and
that is unfair. But we will get even
with them; when they send over S21,-
BOO, 900 worth of -four to pay for that
tin-plate. we will make the English
pay $780, 900 extra for the
privilege OF buying bread. That will
make things even. Let us have fair
trade"
The absolute ignorance and stupidity
If such proposition makes it almost
to believe that there is any
)ne man on the earth who Is capableof
Iuch folly. The American Govern
nent makes it difficult for the American
,eople to can their fruit and vegetables
n our tin-plate; therefore we will make
t difficult for English workers to buy
American -four" The man who talks
hat way is ready for board OF expert
physicians to examine into his mental
condition.
But it is talk OF that kind that de-
lights the american Economist" for
t is nothing other than the great
American system" otherwise known
s protection"
The absurd position Of the English
fair trader" is precisely the same as
hat of the American protectionist; and
fellow-feeling of stupidity makes
hem wondrous kind to each other.