The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-02
MR.. HORR'S BIG SPEECH.
The BurrlIIyllIe Young Mems Re-
publican Club All Right.
GOOD PROTECTION DOCTRINE.
Ex-Congressman Horr Tells How Various
American Industries Have Prospered
and Are Prospering, and shows the
Benefits of Reciprocity.

the snow knee deep in places and sweep
ing the ground bare in others, but moth
ing daunted the sturdy little band of
staunch Republicans who filled the hall
at Pascoag last evening, and listened to
one Of the ablest exponents Of the protec-
tion theory as he poured forth argument
after argument in favor of protection. and
with rapid blows shivered the thin fabric
of free trade. The Hon Roswell c. Horr,
ex-Congressman from Michigan, was the
speaker, and with his great knowledge OF
the subject held the close attention OF his
audience for nearly two hours.
Mr.. Horr is well known as the tariff
editor Of the New York Tribune ard his
address was delivered To the members of
the Burrillvile Young Mems Republican
Club, who turned ont "A hundred strong to
listen TO the explanation of the Doctrine
OF Mckinley"
A. S. Hopkins, president of the club, IN
a few well-chosen words presented the
speaker. who spoke as follows;
"Gentlemen-and think i may safely
say fellow-Republcans because / doubt
IL any but strong Republican would
venture ont in such n storm TO hear the
speech tonight, but have always made
il point 10 do my share of the work and
certainly shall not disappoint you now
you are here-l purpose this evening to
discuss the question, an old one in the
United States of how revenues should be
obtained The question, rs l said before,
is an old one in this country, but il has
been discussed by the people for the past
hundred years. IL Is a question, neverthe-
less. that never loses interest and is as
fresh now as il was century ago
II will say to this audience that / will
attempt TO express my statements in a
business-like manner, and will treat the
views of our opponents just as fairly as 1
do those of our own party.
ITO begin with, there is no such n thing
among civilized peoples rs "A purely free
trade nation. All free trade countries
levy some duties TO support the nation.
England levies and collects every year
hundreds of millions of dollars duties OH
products raised in that cousstry.
But she levies her duties on the free
trade plan, differing from that in opera
tion in the United States. England levies
duties on articles not produced by herself,
as on tea. coffee, tobacco, etc. but it il "a
crime IN that country for n man TO raise
even one stalk of tobacco, and thus the
Inhabitants are compelled TO pay the
duties from their own pockets.
THE protectionists levy the duties on an
entirely different plan. We object TO the
plan followed out by England and have
evolved one that has proved successful and
fair TO all. Whenever duty is levied on
an article not produced in n country that
kind OF "a duty Is Il tax levied on the pcUpfr
who use the commodities, and the tariff is
paid by the common laborers.
Consequently the protectionists have
adopted the following theory: Put duty
on articles produced in the United States
and we better the masses The free
traders insist that a duty is tax, and
they think that the duty adds to the cost
of the article, but they are wrong, as IA
brief glance at our industries since ihe in
ception OF the theory and its being placed !
in practical work will show ANY protec- |
zionist will tell you that If duty is levied |
on any article that can be produced in the
country the first tendency is to build up |
the industry and the free trader will not
deny that, for the simple reason that he
cannot. The second effect is to pay better
wages for the work done. Thirdly, we
are enabled to keep larger amount of
money In the country instead of sending
il to other nations, and lastly, and
here the struggle comes, we can
always cheaper the goods consumed
by the people. Ii my free trade
friends differ from me on this point let
them come forward and will give them
aoca game of talk. Laughter Free
Traders say that kind OF duty is tax, and
that while you levy duty on any neces-
sary commodity, you collect a small
amount of money for the treasury, but you
also collect far larger amount that goes
into the pockets of the few rich ones in the
country, consequently you have the phrase
IbDDcT 50 DlucD III vogue uurlnK |
recent years. II we do collect these large
amounts and take it out of the pockets of
the consumers, why the free traders are
right, but if we do cheaper the goods we
are right have the advantage over any
free trader. no matter how big a hat he
may wear in the fact that for thirty years
we have tried the theory and have found
1t TO work.
Theories don't count for anything, now
adays, as all of us can testify. Why if
there is man in the audience who
knows how TO select an axe helve, |
would rather have his opinion on an axe
heive than that of seven books (applause).
The man has acquired his knowledge by
observation, but the books are based ou
theories and arc thus practically worth
less.
In recent debate nv opponent told
the audlence TO beware OF me as I would
be continually appealing TO their memory.
For the hrst time in the debate told tile
people that agreed with my friend in as
much that considered il necessary for
any man TO forget everything before he
became "a free trader (laughter)
The continual howl of the free traders
Is that N we put a duty on an article the
price OF the commodity is bound TO 20 IN
but oh, how mistaken they are i'm their
premises. Why, take the common article.
salt Tor an illustration land by the way. il |
you want TO make free trader red i'm the ,
face just shout salt at HIM. between 80 ,
enn % years ago salt was put on the
tariff list, aud with what result
Why the price has steadily decreased from
~. 90 per barrel in Michigan To 80 cents n
barrel, ana that included barrel and all
lApplause AS result salt manufactur-
ing has become one of the great industries
OF this country and today we can hold our
own with any country in the world for
purity aud fineness Of make in that stand {
ard article.
Some unbelievers say, however. that
salt Is but one illustration. Well, we can
take anything you desire and YOU will find
The rule closely followed. The tin-plate
industry, so greatly deprecated by our
antagonists. is in nourishing
and numerous manufacturers
are rapidly springing up throughout the
country. DID ever any one know OF an
Instance where we have tried TO build up ,
IN industry in this country and have not !
ucceeded No Even our free-trade :
riends are compelled TO acknowledge the !,
ruth OF this statement. y
But what makes me discouraged is the +
ontinual fault finding OF the Democratic :.
I