The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-02-07
HON. JOSIAH GRoUT-FARMER.

HON. JOSIAH CIRCUIT FARMER.
The proposed Wilson tariff already q
misfortune, when enacted will be a calam-
ity. Its threat has cost the country half as
much as the war, and its reality will be in
| conceivably more expensive. 1t stabs nc
industry more directly and deeply than the
agricultural. The farmers will be hurt
more than any other class. With them il
is more question of markets in which to
sell than to buy. If the Wilson bill does
all its friends claim for the consumer and
saves for him few cents on what he buys,
he will lose dollars on what he sells and
| earns. The laborer in other industries, al
ready cut, will be cut still more severely in
his wages, even until placed on level with
his foreign brother. Effect follows cause
in tariff matters, as surely as day the night
and there is no more escape from the legit-
innate results OF tinkering that subject ac-
cording to the Wilson bill than from the
judgments of heaven. Our whole industrial
system must suffer stagnation and loss,
whether in the field, shop or mart, and ali
labor must share in the sacrifice. Demo
cratic tariff reform is the main cause of tn
present business and financial stringency
and accounts for the difference between the
times under Harrison and the present ad-
ministration. These are briefly my impress
sions OF the Wilson tariff planning machine
l will not undertake reasons, for five
hundred-word limit forbids.
Derby, VT, January, 1894.
HON. B. F. LINCoLN-LUMBER
Referring to your circular, 1 would saw
that, from my standpoint as a manufacturer
OF lumber, the enactment of the Wilson bill
Will be most disastrous. Any one familiar
with this branch of business for the past
Few years will concede that, even with the
closest economy and not high rate of
wages, there has been no margin of profit
commensurate with the amount of capital
invested. Should the Wilson bill become
law, there must come either a reduction of
wages or cessation of business. 1t re-
qulres no argument to show that other con-
dition must prove great detriment to the
interests OF Vermont. Being somewhat IA
miliar with the lumber interests of the
West. think the effect of free lumber will
prove even more detrimental to that section
than to Vermont. Having carefully read
the debates in congress on the proposed
tariff changes, / see nothing to Justify such
measure, but much to show its bad effects.
With the national treasury depleted almost
TO point OF danger, a large deficiency al
ready apparent, the secretary of the treasury
issuing bonds to defray the ordinary ex-
penses OF the government, what possible ar
gument is there for passing tariff bill that
must decrease the revenue seventy-fve
millions year-a deficiency that can be
made good only by resort to system of
direct taxation of the most odious character.
Let the Mckinley bill stand on the statute
oooho anu uuo country WOulu again become
prosperous, factories and mills resume their
activity, giving to labor employment, and to
the farmer an honest market that would
absorb all the products of the soil.
Lyndon, January %, 1894.
HON. j. o. SANFORD, BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
AS to the effect of the passage of the pend.
ing Wilson bill upon the agricultural inter-
ests OF the state, l believe 1t would be dele
FERROUS. 1t means reduction in price OF all
farm products to the lowest cost Of produce
ton, without regard to location or condi-
tons. IL is the question of whether we
endeavor to maintain our position as an in
dependent and prosperous people, or must
we submit to reduction in the price of our
labor, our products, and all we have, simply
that we may come down nearer to the level
of the rest of the world? Why, in prosper
GUS times, comes the demand for a new
policy of tariff for revenue only" that
brings this disturbance and depression that
hangs like cloud over the people? Is it
that our people have been too prosperous,
or the nation held too high position? Is it
that the high price for labor here has invited
and brought to us from other countries more
people than we could properly assimilate?
hateVer the cause, we are asked to aban-
don the time-honored doctrine of our faith.
ers that our industries should be fostered
and protected against foreign and cheap Ia
Dor competition. Our state, lying in close
proximity to Canada with her extensive for
ests, would sadly feel the effect of free lum-
ber In many parts Of the state, farmers
have encouraged the growth of forest tim
Der, and mbering in the winter season is |
part Of their business; and, with the present |
duty of two dollars per thousand removed. |
would leave the forest timber valueless
in many instances. The duty on hay re- |
duced one half, and the long list of farm |
products ON the free list looks like discrim-
mating in favor of Canada's products. Yer |
mont has been recovering from the effects
Of the drain upon the farming element by |
emigration westward, and has become fairly |
1t should be regretted that any |
such disturbance as would follow the enact |
ment Of the Wilson bill should come to us.
Stamford, VT, Jan. %, 1894.