The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-07-29
WHAT WOULD BE GAINED.

WHAT WOULD BE GAINED.
The Democrats. or some of them,
rather, were very eager for fusion
with the Peoples party on the state
ticket, but the nomination of Donnel-
ly prevented this being carried into
effect so far as the governorship is
concerned, ct least An effort is now
being put forth by some of the inter
rified to effect fusion upon the cleo
toral ticket and the cry goes out from
them that Minnesota must be taken
from the Republicans, and that this
can be done by combination. Upon
this point the St. Paul Globe says the
state can and must be carried for
Grover Cleveland.
In making change it is always
best to know before hand what is to
be gained thereby. And therefore
the question comes up as to what
benefits Minnesota would reap from
such change. The possibility that
such change will be made is very re-
mote, but as the question has been
raised it is well that it should be met
1t is argued that in case Grover Cleve-
land should be elected, the country
would have safe man in the presi-
Dental chair. But the question is
not entirely one of men. Back of
them is one of principle. Is Grover
Cleveland and the Democratic party
aresuccessful next November,i it means
an entire reversal of our industrial
policy. Grover Cleveland with Re-
publican Senate or House might be a
safe president, but with Democratic
congress he would become the promot-
er of policy that would mean indus
trial ruin to this country. For years
the Democratic party has declared
that it was for that indefinite term,
tariff REFORM" and when accused Of
being hostile to the industrial inter
ests of the nation, has declared that
no harm to them was in anyway in
tended.
But now that party has come out
| from under cover and declared itself
as unalterably opposed to the policy
of protection, and in its national plat
| form declares the system unconstitu-
tional. This means, if it means any
thing at all, as near absolute free
trade as it is possible to get. Mime
sofa would gain absolutely nothing
from the change, but on the other
hand would lose much All over the
state various industries are springing
up, as result of our protective sys-
TEN, and are giving employment to
vast number of men. With the en-
forcement of the Democratic policy
this busy hum of industry would
cease, or else the men employed there
in must submit to the European rate
Of wages. That rate the Senate
finance committee has shown by the
report of its recent thorough investi-
cation, to be fully so per cent less
than the average paid in this country.
Is the wage Garner Of Minnesota will
ing to submit to such change? !.
| Again they urge that this
change would benefit the farmer.
This is argued upon the false assump-
| r hot Iaaf ha fa h0c fn hr1u
is increased in price TO the extent of
the tariff that is levied upon it. This
has been proved false time and again,
and those who circulate such state
ments have not been able to bring
forth any satisfactory proof to sub
stantiate their claims. The farmer
would not be able to buy the things
he must have any cheaper than he
now does. The cry of going into the
markets Of the world has much about
| it that is misleading. There is no
| better market in the world than in
the United States, else why is Eng
land making such desperate efforts to
get possession of it. The farmer OF
Minnesota would not be benefited by
transporting his products to foreign
land and paying the freight thereon,
and transporting back the manufac-
lures he would buy, and paying the
freight on them. Today he supplies
the American laborer with about $50
worth of the products of his farm, to
every 81 worth that he sells to the
wage Garner of England. Where will
he be benefited by destroying this
home market, while gaining no appre-
ciable benefits abroad? Free trade
holds out no inducements whatever to
the farmer of Minnesota, but on the
other hands means obstruction Of
that market that is taking all but
about ten per cent of what he raises.