The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1893-01-13

largely. II is the manufacturers, tl'crc-
fore. and not the bread pruluccrs that
can and have profited by projection Ia
this country. And SO well have the
manufacturers improved their OPpor'
tunitics that they now have higher
duties ON their goods than the Britist:
landlords ever had ON their grains II
we are not SO much cursed as were the
English, 1t is because manufactured
goods are not used T. the same extent
as brcadstuffs and arr less essential TO
life; also because we were never SO de-
pendent on foreign countries for sup
plies as England has always been for
bread. 1t is not then the fault of our
monopolistic manufacturers that they
have reduced this nation in their thirty
years of rule or misrule To the same ex-
tent that the corn monopolists reduced
Great Eritain in their thirty years OF
rule Our manufacturers have done their
worst but circumstance have been
against them.
The corn-law men wanted the exclu-
sive feeding of the manufacturers in
Great Britian-''home markets." they
called il; our manufacturers want and
practically have. the exclusive right to
supply us with home
market"-they call it. British mono
polists posed as the guardians Of the
public veal and had laws made
in their own interests American
monopolists pose a. the only real
patriots, and have juggled our
laws to make what they call the
American system"-as il an American
system Of robbery is preferable tn for
eign one. Protectionists in England
were privileged class of landlords
who for years made the masses believe
that protection" not only gave them
the especial privilege of eating home
made bread. but that it was cheaper
than it would be if the tax were re-
moved and they were dependent upon
foreign supplies. Protectionists in
America are privileged class of manu-
facturcrs and mine owners. who have
made the people believe that goods
would be cheaper under free trade than
under protection" and that with free
trade work would be scarcer and wages
.ower British landlords got in in.
creased rents the benefits Of protection
there. Agricultural rent has declined
so per cent since $780, but agricultural
with other kinds of wages have doubled
since then. American manufacturers
and mine owners get in increased prices
and rents the benefits of protection
here. Work will be more plentiful and
wages higher when restrictions to trade
are removed and our monopolists lose
their grip In both cases the masses
were deluded and taxed for the benefit
of special class
The Reform club. of New York, l.
composed for the most part of unselfish
men who wish TO do for this country
what the Golden club did for Great
Britain-abolish the curse Of ''protec-
ton" and give the people more work.
better pay and cheaper goods. About
8, 600 men, one-half in New York city.
have for several years been contribut-
ing to support the work of this club.
The only hope of the vast majority OF
the members is to abolish class legisla-
ton, TO give all equal opportunities,
and to increase the earnings and the
happiness of the masses The first
good effects Of the work Of this club
were seen in the elections Of 1890 and
1892. To say that protectionists hate
this ''mugwump" and free trade" club
is to put it mildly. The Crisp incident,
at the recent dinner Of the club, has
given republicans and protectionists-
for the two are not yet quite synony.
mous-the first good opportunity &c
vent their spleen on this club Bittes
and sneering remarks are being hurled
at these american Cobdenites." dis
pcnsers of British gold" 'ludicrous
self-important statesmen" these CON
ccited mugwumps" and tariff reform
ers" Really the officers of the club
may congratulate themselves upon the
enemies they have made. II is the best
possible evidence Of the effectiveness OF
their work. 1t is scarcely necessary to
say that such opposition will stimulate
the club to continue its work until our
robbcr barons can no longer ply their
trade here, and until the country il
again free. BYRON w. Holt.