The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1891-12-16
A Striking Object Lesson.

The North Adams Transcript, of tho
26th inst, contained matter that ID
worthy the attention of people who are
in doubt as to whether or not the new
tariff bill is beneficial to American mar
ufacturing industries and conducive 70
the general prosperity of the country
Conspicuous in the news columns IF
the Transcript is an account of the jubS-
lee procession and meeting in celebrS-
ton of the reopening Of the Freeman
Print Works, which were shut down fer
nine months, as result of the busineus
depression arising from the un-
certainty as to the tariff growing out Of
the action of Congressman Mills and his
followers, and which have been set in
operation as result of the restoration
of confidence engendered by the new
tariff law. The reopening OF the works
means employment for hundreds of
operatives and return Of general pros
perity in North Adams, which is nor
mally one of the busiest manufacturing
towns in Massachusetts. Editorially,
the Transcript says of the demonstra-
ton:
1t was an impressive popular manifesto
ton, surprising in brilliancy and signiG-
canoe every previous demonstration In the
history Of the town. Such spontaneous
and universal delight revealed how deep
and cruel has been the strain and suffering
of our village, caused by the prolonged ar
rest of these valuable industries. For
nine months the print works and three
large cotton mills have been shut up and
600 men and women deprived of employ
ment. Some went TO other states,
some caught uncertain places in other
mills, but a large number have re-
NAMED without work, living upon past
/ riVay hn
ferred, that the mill would start
up again. The wages paid out by these
| mills were $4,000 week, which was cx-
pended i'm this village. For the nine
months our business has lost S216, 900.
Every merchant, groceryman, savings
| bank and business man felt at once this
sudden blow at our prosperity, and The
strain has been increasing every month
since the mills were stopped. No one has
escaped the influence of this blight IL
has depressed the value OF all real estates,
stopped building, left tenementS unoccu-
pied, reduced the sale of farm products and
filled the town with anxiety, gloom and
suffering.
Discussing the economic lessons which
the experience of North Adams teaches
the Transcript says:
The favorite sopEistry and falsehood of
the free traders Is that the tariff creates a
privileged class of manufacturers, and
chiefly benefits this class at the expense OF
the mass of the people. This Is an entire
misconception of the relations and results
of great industry. A prosperous indus
try, while II returns proper income upon
the capital, blesses and benefits every
man, woman and child in the community
II gives employment to labor at the highest
wages paid in the world; its disburse
ments of wages go into every store, shop
market and place Of business; the surplu!
wages go into savings banks, into cottages
and homes, and the education of children
The farmer of the vicinity finds
his best market near his doors
at the gates of the cotton, wooden
bingham and calico mills. OF th,
benefit Of great industry the owner reap
the smallest portion, while the wage-earn
ers and the body Of consumers, and tn
people reap the rest Besides, the indus