The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1894-03-09
The Tariff Situation.

1t is difficult, at this writing, to de-
termine with any degree of accuracy
the possible fate of the Wilson tariff
bill in the senate. Much depends upon
the shape in which the bill is brought
before that body, whether the advocates
of free-trade find themselves compelled
to concede to the general demand for
protection to the large industries of the
country which produce raw material"
sO-called by the more radical free-trad-
ers. Should such concessions be made,
it will be a practical victory, to GER
tain extent, for the cause of protection.
The idea of protection as local, not
national, issue is being promulgated
by the freetraders now at Washington.
They find themselves compelled to
listen to local demands, OF else lose
certain of their party votes, and to this
extent they are willing to grant protec-
ton and to vote for it. 1t is a species
of bubble that might be expected.
Men who will do such a thing are
narrow minded Their views are
narrow and unable to grasp any idea of
the extent of the country, of the length
and breadth of the land. If protection
be good for single industry in a single
free-trade state, it is equally good for
other industries in other states.
From the rank and file of the party
that has deliberately set to work to
violate the tariff plank of the Chicago
platform but little can be expected.
Still there are some senators of liberal
views who have witnessed enough of
the effects of the soup house admins
tration and its policy of prostration,
and from whom wiser and more
mature judgment should reasonably be
expected. Senators, who live in states
that have been built up by protection
to agriculture or manufactures, should
ponder long and well before commit
ing themselves to furtherance and a
continuance of the policy of prostration.
That some senators will do this we sim
cerely trust There should a pause be.
fore rushing the country on to further
ruin and wreckage. Mischief enough
has been done during the last twelve
months. 1t is time to build up again.
There is, from now on, an imperative
work laid upon every American who
loves his country. Strong, vigorous
and concerted action is necessary. By
petition, by request, by demand, every
member. of the United States senate,
whether freedtrader or protectionist,
should be called upon to do his duty to
the people and to the country by voting
against the Wilson tariff bill. 1t is
measure that BODIES i'll for everybody.
What Injuries one industry Injuries all.
Its aim and intention is to reduce the
wages of labor. 1t is a direct attack
against labor, and labor has lifted up
its voice in loud energetic and deter
mined cutlery against the bill. In the
west, in the northwest and in the south
west are the people equally as affected
as in the eastern and central states.
Let those that have friends living in all
the western sections turn a broadside
of agitation in that direction.
Larger imports of foreign manufact-
ures mean a smaller output of domestic
goods. This smaller output means
much smaller wages, a smaller number
of workers and smaller demand for
the farm products of the great western
section. The effect of free-trade will
spread like an insidious disease from
one to another, from one state to an
other Let one, let all, join hands and
appeal to every senator in congress to
have regard for the prosperity of his
country and for the welfare of its peo-
pie. Not only one appeal, but a con-
slant appeal from now on, week by
week, day by day. Work together
while there is chance to save your
homes from ruin, your families from
starvation, and to save your wages
from sinking to the low level that exists
in Europe, in India, in China or In
Japan.-American Economist.