Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-11-11
PROTECTION AND THE FARMERS
How Manufacturing and Agriculture
March Hand in Hand.

The argument against protection used
in agricultural sections is that, granting
it's helpful influences in industrial and
manufacturing centers, it does not con-
tribute to the material welfare of the
farming classes. The reply always has
been that the development of our manu-
large number of persons as wage-earn-
ers, and that heir employment aids the
farmer indirectly because they are con-
sumers of his products.
A remarkable proof of the correctness
of this statement comes from Chatta-
nooga, Tenn. A telegram from that
state, curiously enough printed in
free-trade paper, the New York Times,
says that ''the farmers in the vicin-
ity of Briceville, where the re-
cent labor trouble occurred, are
indignant because they cannot sell
their produce; that farms west of Brice-
vile that were rented at 81 900 year
ago cannot be rented for the next year
at more than $400; and the explanation
lies in the fact that the miners with
their families have left the vicinity"
The item adds that when the miners
were there with their families they had
about five consumers to each one en-
ployed in taking out coal; now there is
but one."
A more striking instance of the value
of manufacturing and industrial devel-
opment to the farmers has not been
cited. In all Southern and in some
Western states. where agriculture has
been the chief employment of the peo-
pie, the prices of every product
of the farm would rise if
manufacturing establishments were
10
ton OF worklngmen brought together.
A market at home is always the best
market, and the development of the
natural resources of the Southern and
Western States which has been secured
under the protective tariff will do more
| for these agricultural states than free
trade ever has done or can do. Just as
soon as these facts are properly under
stood, the growth of the productive
centers III the South and West will be
| assured; and they are becoming under
| stood.
There has been, for instance, mar
velous growth of the cotton manufactur-
| ing industry in the South within few
years. The annual report of the New
| Orleans Cotton Exchange shows
that there are 341 mills in the thirteen
cotton states, all busily engaged, with
every evidence that the number will be
| increased. The cotton consumption of
| the South is constantly increasing, and
one or two of the states are now using
as much cotton for manufacturing pur-
poses as was used by the entire South
ten years ago.
Wooden mills are also springing up In
the Southern States, using the home
product and everywhere creating re-
vulsion of feeling against the PROPOSE
ton to make wool free. The develop
ment of the iron industry in the South
is one of the wonders of the time, and
has attracted worldwide attention. II
has only begun; and as it continues il
will be impossible to make those who
are interested in it, and who are
witnesses of its good results, the adj
vocates of free trade, for without pro.
lection all these industries would find
it impossible to survive. Fix this fact
in the minds of the South and goodbye
to free trade for the present.-Franl
Leslie'S.