The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-03-11
A TARIFF ARGUMENT
The Democratic and Republican POlit'
zeal Doctors and the
People.
The System Of Protection In England
and How it Benefited the
Nation.

following article to the "Arena" of
December, 1891, article by Hon. David
A. Wells, Subject; "Free Trade or
Tariff which,"
Doctors disagree-the democratic
political doctor says give the patient
free trade. The republican doctor
says give the patient projection, The
peoples party are favorable to the
elimination of all class legislation from
the tariff in accordance with the prin-
ciple of equal right to all and special
privileges to none. :"
The protectionist wakes eloquent
over the fostering of American indus
tries and the protection of American
labor. All this time for thirty years
we have been trying the protective
system and the condition of the Ameri.
can laborer has been growing worse
and worse. Princely fortunes have been
accumulated by the manufacturer, and
paupers and tramps have increased in
the same proportion,
We have reached the conclusion that
protection to American labor by the
present system is fraud and delu-
sion. There must be something radi-
cally wrong that makes 10000 million
aires in u quarter of a century, and
that increases paupersm and crime in
the same proportion. The condition
of the laboring classes of England is a
favorite comparison with the protec-
zionist.
We will give a little information on
the same subject. For many years
prior to 1912 Great Britain had most
rigid and extreme protective policy.
| The articles on the tariff list as late as
1910 was 1900. In 1912 the number
was reduced to 750. In 1849 they were
reduced to only seven articles which
were as follows: Cocoa, coffee, dried
fruit, tea, tobacco, spirits and playing
cards.
Now according to the Swans of the
protection philosophy, this period of
repeal of tariff laws should have proved
one of financial disaster, and the period
of protection one Of financial prosperity.
But what are the factsP
At the close of the period of prote,
ton every interest of the country was
depressed; mills and workshops were
closed, and property daily depre-
ciated in value; shipping rotted unused
in the HORRORS; laborers received only
starvation wages; and the almshouse,
the jail and prison were filled; the nat
ional revenue was not sufficient to mect
the expenses of the government and
the nation was on the verge of bank
ruptcy. All this, after an era of prac
tical peace for quarter OF century.
Now let us see what followed the
change of policy to one of free trade,
In 1871 there was q deficiency in thu
national revenue of $12, 100000. Ii
1845 this deficiency was changed into
surplus of $17045, 900 in just foul
years of free trade.
The tariff on wool was repealed il
1874, and in 1S45 there was u furthu
reduction of the tariff. The naviga
ton laws were repealed in 1849, ant
restrictions on the coasting trade il
1854 The British protectionists o
that time, among who were Mr.. Dis
rael, predicted that these measure
would shake tie social fabric. thrcy
the agriculturalist out of employment
ard lower wages, and would even en-
danger the safety of the empire. Blu
what are the facts?
Freed from restrictions, British fol
eign commerce increased by leaps an
= bounds. The aggregate exports whic
| in 1910 were 9123,312,0O0, rose t.
EGGS, 20, 900 in 1854; E4S9. 900. 900 i
1866; E697, 10000 in 1880; and ETA
100000 in 1890; and today the unite
kingdom, with $4,000. 600 people has
commerce equal to Austria, Franc
= and Germany.
e We will introduce another compar
son. In 1912 the tunnage of Il
N British mercantile marine RENAME
). almost stationery, and from 1916
e 1910 increased only $4,000 tons. B
tween 1912 and 1S48 it gained 444.OC
- tons. After the repeal Of the nayig
tion laws it rose from 3, 485, 900 tons
1S49 to 1924, 900 in 1854; 4,8O6. 900
1861; 5,69IOOo in 1871; 6,574,0Oo