Milford chronicle., 1891-08-07
Why | An 1 PR0TEtTI0NIST /
Written Joy Ame'7an Eeonomistl

I Written for Amey7caR Economist
First-I am a Protectionist because /
am an American, thoroughly imbued with
American ideas, American principles,
American enterprises and American
thought.
Second for the reason that it guaran-
tees to the wage-earners, whether male or
female, better remuneration for their
services than they can possibly obtain in
any country on the face Of the globe;
and this remuneration does not apply
simply to factory operatives, manufacture
ing textile fabrics, but applies equally to
the employed in every vocation in life
whether it be clerks, statesmen, professors
of colleges,9or salaried officers in rail-
roads, banks, or incorporated companies
of any kind so that any human being in
any vocation in this country who works
for a salary, either by the day or year, is
benefited by the American policy Of Pro-
lection.
Third-It has caused the balance of
trade to turn in our favor during the last
thirty years to such an extent that the
nations of the earth, during this time,
have paid us eighteen hundred millions
of dollars, and our country is just that
much richer than it would have been had
it not been for our system Of Protection.
The result OF this is that instead OF being
compelled to pay the money lenders of
the country from. seven toten per cent,
per annum i,--siresioO,srts N. money, they
are g-4evy aorter .ished with from four to
five per cent, per annum, reducing the
rate of interest quite one-half from what
the average was to the borrower thirty
years ago.
Fourth-For the reason that it encour-
ages manufacturing enterprises of all
kinds to increase throughout the coun
try, and the competition between the man
ufacturers prevents large profits from
being made, and prevents monopolies of
all kinds, in consequence Of this compe-
tition. The result OF our manufacturing
interests is we furnish the people bet
ter class Of goods at a less price than
they would have to pay if these different
manufacturing establishments were not
established in this country, creating a de-
mand for our agricultural products, and
realizing "a better price for them in our
own home market than we get abroad.
Fifth-The U. S. Government col
lected in 1890 about two hundred and
thirty millions of dollars from imports,
and the most OF this revenue was collected |
from importers, who bring in a class of
merchandise that is not used generally by |
the medium and lower classes, and par
ticularly so since the duties have been
taken off sugar.
The lowest estimate Of the amount Of
money earned by the wage carriers Of all
classes in this country is about fifteen
thousand millions ofdollars annually, an
excess of at least six thousand millions
over the earnings of the same number
OF people living in other countries.
Can this country do away with our Pro-
teclive policy without reducing the wages
n the bread-winners to the level of wages
paid in foreign countries If not, then
the wage-earneTs could well afford to pay
the two hundred and thirty million dol
lars collected by the government mostly
from foreign producers, in 1890 and keep
up the present rate ofwages.
AS the wealthier classes use at least
seven-tenths of the amount of our inn
ports. that portion of the duty paid by ,
bears very lightly on the
poorer classes; consequently all of our
favoring Protection is almost S
wholly in the interest of these classes,
aud the passing of such laws by a Repub
lican Congress is legislating the greatest
good to the greatest number Of people. !
w. L. STRONG.