The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-22
TARIFF A MATTER OF BUSINESS.

To the Editor Of the Eagle.
The competition between nations IN
trying to secure profitable market for
their surplus product was never In any
age so intense as at present. BY the aid
of improved machinery all progressive
nations are producing more OF the
products of skilled or unskilled labor,
than can find profitable marken in the
country in which they are produced. To
obtain profitable market for the &C
cumulating surplus Is the question
which is perplexing the minds OF states
men, the world over.
By means of a one-sided development
of our industrial forces we increased the
production of farm products much faster
than the needs of the people required,
and by so doing we not only injured our
selves but forced large proportion OF
the farmers of Great Britain and Ireland
to emigrate or become day laborers In
the manufacturing cities. Free trade
brought wheat to England which sold at
so low price that the English farmer
became bankrupt. This Is question on
which no farmer can afford TO de-
ceive himself. As free tarde ruined
the farming interests IN England,
would it not have the same
effect the country? A tariff for revenue
only would force us to get our wool from
Australia, our cotton and wooden goods
from England, our coal from Nova
| Scotia. our iron ore from Spain and our
structural iron, steel and locomotives
from Belgium. This would be buying
in the cheapest market without being
prevented by governmental interference.
The United States would, under the op-
erations of these altered conditions. be-
come a good country to emlgrate from.
As free trade will sooner or later BRING
all nations that tolerate it to the level OF
the lowest, it is refreshing to contem-
plate by contrast the protective side OF
the dark picture. by means OF protec-
ton we are enabled to give employment
to orr own people at living wages and
to elevate the foreigners who come to
these shores to a higher degree OF pros
peritv than he could possibly attain III
the land of his birth. 1t is by protection
that we can induce capital, which Is
proverbialy timid, TO engage IN manu-
featuring enterprises giving employ ment
to thousands of artisans who VIII con-
sumo the products of our farms, and
consequently lessen the surplus for eX-
portation, thereby raising the price CT
our wheat, pork and beef.
1t is only by protection that we can
prevent the outflow of gold for the pur-
chase of articles that American lngenu-
ity is capable of producing. Heretofore
we were classed in Europe IN the same
category as India, Egypt and Russia
semi-civilized because we exported raw
materials and imported materials which
required for their production the highest
mechanical skill. Nearly 1l6 years ago
our predecessors. led by the immortal
Washington. commenced the good hght
which resulted in political independence,
and in this year of our Lord, led by
| Americas greatest statesman, we com
mence again the good fight which, under
God. will secure to US industrial lnde-
pendence
The much-abused Mckinley bill was
understood in England much better than
in the United States. The London Times
assured its readers that Its object was
ito levy blackmail on every country OF
Europe for the benefit of the United
States" Already its effects are felt IN
England. Many English manufacturers
are preparing to move their plants to
this country, as they find IT imp, sslbie to
compete with the American manufac-
tuTer.
In the telegraphlc dispatches we lately
find many such items as the following:
Mitchell & Sheppard of Bradford,
England have made an assignment;
liabilities placed at $4,000 The hrm
was engaged in the manufacture OF
alpaca, mohair. wooden and worsted
goods, and its failure is attributed TO the
operation of the Mckinley bill. For each
man that loses his employment IN any
country in Europe engaged IN working
for the American market, man Will be
set TO work here producing similar goods,
thus giving 20 our farmers more con-
sumers for the products Of our own farms.
The reciprocity clause of the Mckinney
bill Is also encouraging particularly 10
farmers.
We ara Indebted to Blaine for that
clause which has already opened way
for our wheat. pork and beef 10 enter
the Republic of Brazil. Cuba, Mexico
and other South American states are
negotiating with the state department Tor
reclprocitv. in commerce. There ls but one
! draw OdCA NtldL Can III AAC ~ 80 -
rangements. l. e. our want OF ships.
Their sugar, coffee, hides. and India
rubber are brought TO US by English
ships. When these ships unload IN New
: York they take our wheat, lard. etc. TO
p England. They next take a cargo Of
British manufactures TO Rio Janeiro and
agasn sail for New York, thus making
triangular VOYAGES
As wheat cannot De grown u any
extent in the equatorial regions Of
Brazil it consequently Is a duty which
our congressman owe to the farmer 70
pass without further delay The shiPPins
bill approved by the senate. Inc passage
Of this act will have the effect OF estao-
fishing steamship lines between the
p Gulf Of Mexico and the ports OF the oif.
ferent Spanish American countries, ana
with "a Yankee ship and a YANKEE
, crew we viii compete for the carrying
trade with our commercial rIyals-
Yours respectfully
0NE or TEE Macs
Glen Mary Farm, Feo. i. 1881
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, Sized L up About Rsg1--
Z 80. g.