Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-12-02
The Teachings of Experience.

anu inteihRenIly aunereu CO.-N. L.
Times.
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The Teachings of Experience.
1t has been not the least of the
brood of evils inflicted upon this
country by the protective system that
it has created and fomented feeling
of antagonism, almost of hostility,
between the two great branches of in
dustry pursued by majority of the
people, Agriculture and Manufacture
es; and as these indust are largely
pursued in different sections of the
country, this hostility has taken the
dangerous form of sectional enemity
and prejudice. The agricultural re-
gions, especially those which produce
a large surplus for export, have justly
felt that tariff which produces large
surplus for export, have justly felt
that tariff which forebade them 10
buy in the markets where they were
compelled to sell and forced them to
get their needed supplies in markets
where the law steps in to raise prices
for the benefit of the sellers was an
unjust and intolerant discrimination
against themselves in favor of manu-
featuring regions. They have regard
ed a protective tariff as a law for
making the farming States tributary
to the manufacturing States, and
sectional irritation has been the
natural and inevitable result.
But while the tariff has always and
everywhere wronged and oppressed
agriculture, it has shown its falsity
as a system of economy in its absolute
failure to insure healthy and stable
prosperity to manufacturers. The
reasons for this are plain to see. 1t
teaches men to depend on artificial
helps-laws taxing their countrymen
for prosperity in business rather
than upon their own skill and efforts.
1t throws business out of its natural
channels into artificial, law-made
channels, where they must always be
fluctration and uncertainty. Years
ago Mr.. Everett stated 10 an Grafton
at Lowell that the sagacious men who
established the manufactures of New
England were never friends of high
tariff policy. Hon. Amasa Walker,
at one time Member of Congress from
Massachusetts, and among our fore
most writer's on economic questions,
stated that it was within his personal
knowledge that when our first protect
i've tariff was proposed, the law of
1916, the leading manufacturers of
Rhode Island, including Mr.. Slater,
the father of cotton-s spinning in this
country, met at the counting-room of
one of their number, and, after DELHI
crate consultation, came to the unani-
nous conclusion that they had "rath-
err be let alone" Their business had
grown up naturally and succeeded
well, and they felt confident of its con-
tinued prosperity if uninterfered with
by government.
But, as usual, the clamor of less
far-sighted men. and the ambition Of
politicians to filter Gods gifts through
their own darkened laws, prevailed.
The country began its protection
policy, and, as always happens, Gov
eminent help begets an immediate
and violent demand for more Govern
ment help. The protective tariff o
1915 gave place to higher tariff in
1920; that in turn to the still higher
tariff of 1924, and yet higher ont
in 1928. growing in its rates and it
denominations" until it pushed tn
, country to the very brink of civi
war.
Protection has run parallel cours
since 1865. When Congress begaI
D to repeal war burdens and to reliev
!. manufacturers OF internal revenu
3 taxes on their products, which the
had used to secure increased duties %
: competing foreign products, Their
r arose call from consumers all owe
! the country and in both parties for
] reduction of the war tariff. Unabl
e to resist this call the protected indus
Y tries so Far baffled and thwarted
? as to prevent any reduction of const
quence until 1872, when they defea,
ed House bill making substantis
: and permanent reduction of war dut
: es by substituting Senate bill mak
y ing a horizontal cut of ten per cent.
As soon, however, as the election
Q of 1874 had given the next House I
: the Democrats that law was repeale
a by the outgoing Republicans and tn
8 rates restored TO what they were b
: fore 1872. And although the demau