The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-02-12

Surrender or Our Markets to Eu-
rope.
BosroS, Feb. 1.-THE Boston Com.
maciai Bulletin says: To the free trader
anxious to defeat in detail where he has
boon rcpulsed in general tho appeal to
the different desires OF the different
sections is tho most convenient and
deadly OF weapons. The Massachusetts,
manufacturer does not read tho local
Ohio newspapers; the Ohio farmer does
not read the political organs OF Boston.
1t is therefore quite possible for tho
free trade orator to promise in Ohio u
cut in duties OH manufactured goods,
and in Massachusetts removal OF the
duties on coal, iron ore and wool. Prom.
ises Of free binder-twine were made all
over the West. but were strangely abb
sent in speeches from tho champions OF
the same cause in Plymouth and New
Bedford.
When tho Mills bill, tho FREQ trade
measure OF tariff reform, was passed,
neither coal nor iron ore was made free.
Tennessee and Alabama would not al
low it. Free coal would DO benefit to
Canada. 1t is absurd, however, to sur
render orr markets to Canada without
demanding from her an equal measure
OF freedom. In the last fiscal year we
imported 7,S63,537 tons OF coal; VIC OK
ported 2,399, 039 tons, OF which ,5O3, $50
tons went to Canada. Nova Scotia coal
Is available for New England. but Penn
sylvania coal must BIO bought by On
tario. Reciprocity would give Pennsyl-
vaniu tho Canadian market in exchange
for the New England market. Free
trade would surrender the NewEngland
market and ask for nothing in return.
Now, though free coal would be an
advantage to New England manufact-
ures, rs would 10 q less extent free iron
ore, I'VE have no natural gas, no contigu-
GUS deposits OF coal, limestone, and ore,
and it is impossible for New England to
compete with more favored localities in
the cruder forms OF iron manufacture
Alabama makes pig iron and Massa-
chusetts watch springs. In exactly
similar fashion the crude forms OF cotton
manufactures, the spinning OF coarser
yarns, and the weaving OF coarse cloths
are slipping from us in spite OF free raw
material. The cotton industry OF Massa-
chusetts is increasing as a whole rs the
iron industry OF Massachusetts is in
creasing rs q whole, but the crudcr
forms OF both are dying out under the
pressure OF competition with other
parts OF the country with greater natur-
al advantages. No change in duties
can bring them back, and those who
make this claim for political purposes
are perfectly aware OF that fact.
The removal Of the duty on wool
would be a boon to the American wooden
manufacturer. An entire exemption
from all local taxation would also be a
boon. Free power furnished by the
state would also be boon. 1t spite OF
the duty on wool, however, the manu-
featuring OF wool is increasing yearly.
Duties arc not levied for tho benefit OF
one state, but for the nation, and until
the Western farmer believes that the
removal OF the duty on wool can be
made without injury to him it is idle to
expect him to endure free trade in his
product while granting protection on
ours.
Free wool would drive the merino
sheep out OF existence, certainly in all
states east OF the Mississippi. These
states are already losing their hocks
yearly, thanks to the increasing flocks
in Montana, Utah, Wyoming and other
Western states and territories. The
Ohio farmers future lies in mutton
sheep, not wool sheep, and these We be-
lieve he might raise, and with profit, If
there were no duty on WOOL. If the
duty is to be taken from wool, however,
it must be with the wool growers CO.
operation.
The free traders dearest hope is to
force 4 sectional quarrel between pro-
tectionists, and then to bring about alb
solute free trade, which, as We have
already pointed out, means an annul-
ment OF all reciprocity treaties, sur
render OF our markets to Europe, and,
more than this, q backward step and
the establishment oil European in
stead OF American influence, trade, and
prestige in the republics lying to the
south.
The Mckinley tariff, in spite of some
serious mistakes, has done much to adj
vance American industries by great
enlargement OF the free list, as well as
by the retention OF Protective duties. 1t
has not, however, damaged as the Free
Trader would damage, native and natur-
al industries by further enlarging the
free list.
Tariff destruction is easy when made
on sectional lines for political purposes.
Tariff construction is difficult. In either
case the country should be considered
rs whole, and it is not tho part OF the
most prosperous State in the Union,
from pure selfishness, to demand a
tariff in which the States which have
stood by her in her quarrcls are entire:
lyignored, and the States that have OPP
posed her interestsare solely considered.
Mr.. Hcinioiu's Bill Passes.
CoLuMRus, O., Feb, ll.-Mr, Heinloin's
house bill amending subdivision five Of
section $50 passed the house to-day,