St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-12
RnMARKABLE FREE TRADER.


REMARKABLE FREE TRADER.
The attack made by Mr.. johnson, of
Ohio. upon the tariff laws and the mo-
nopOiies in the house Wednesday was,
perhaps, one of the most remarkable
exhibitions of gall and good statesman
ship combined ever witnessed in leg
islative body. Mr.. Johnson is manu-
facturer and beneficiary of the tariff
laws. and m0nopoliSt hesides. He
frankly declared:
II believe in making all the money |
can. L ain thorough-golng monopO-
list and taking advantage of all the bad
laws you Republicans have made, but |
don't believe i'll defending those laws
here"
These wards are an apt illustration of
human nature the world over. Men are
found who freely denounce the bad
laws they find on the statute books. but
at the same time, in their business trans
actions. they take advantage of them to
the utmost. And they are not blame
worthy in their conduct. They would
possess an unSelfiShness that Is one of
the attributes Of the Deity if they neg
lected such opportunities for profit.
But the spectacle of an avowed mono
pollst acknowledging that he receives
an unjust profit, and denouncing the
laws that grant him that privilege, is
rare indeed. Mr.. johnson has proved
himself paragon among men-one who
can. in the defense of principle which
he believes to be just, deliberately seek
to overthrow the laws that put thou
sands of dollars into his pocket every
year. He demonstrates his patriotism
i'll startling and exceptional manner =
i'll manner that diSarms his critics and
places him on plane far above the
hired tools Of the combinations that
seek to perpetuate the tariff robbery.
None will dare to accuse him of an un-
worthy motive.
Mr.. JOhnS0n'S words are entitled to
more than the ordinary consideration.
He has long been practical manu-
tacturer. The products OF his factories
are liberally protected by the tariff laws.
He Knows that he could make a good
profit from his business without the pro-
lection of the tariff laws, and he knows
that every dollar he receives by reason
of the protection is unjustly taken from
the pockets OF the people. He knows
however, that If he should refuse to
take this tribute he would be driven
from business by his competitors, who
would undersell him in the markets,
even if they had to suffer loss by doing
So AS long as the laws give him an
advantage he takes it, while declaring
that his privileges are unnecessary. that
his protection is robbery of his neigh
bors.
Of course the monopolists will asSail
Mr.. Johnson's motives. They will see k
to show that he has political ambitions
that will be promoted byalliS pandering
to the free trade sentiment. But MIR.
Johnson is Of foreign birth, and could
not hope to reach the presidency, while
the senate, under conditions at present
existing and likely to continue for the
remainder of his life, is beyond his
grasp. And his very course respecting
the tariff will impede rather than hasten
his progress in that direction, for OHIO
is thoroughly welded to the idol of pro-
lection. and would not tolerate a free
trader in the senate.
The incident is remarkable one. but
will raise Mr.. johnson in the esteem
lzof all hoGestmen, to Whatever party they
may belong. 1t shows that in his capac-
ity as legislator he is faithful to the
interests of the people, i'll spite of the
fact that his individual interests lie with
the monopolists.