The record-union., 1894-04-28

that they may carry manufactures to this
country would be of absolutely no value
to the producer, for if foreign manufac-
lures are carried to the United States at a
cheaper freight rate, while we are under
the protective system, it will only lower
the net cost of the imported manufac-
lures and lead to demand for an adj
vance in the tariff, which increase the
staple agricultural producer would have
to pay. The plan which / have herein
outlined is intended as a protection to
staple agricultural products in the only
way in which staple agricultural pro-
ducts can be protected.
1t is needless to say that tariff on ex-
ports cannot serve this purpose, for it
can have no effect whatever in the regu-
lation of the export price.
Those who advocate a tariff for revenue
as remedy for the depressed condition
are apt to overlook the fact that such a
tariff will, first of all, pauperiZe the wage
earners, and, secondly, the producer OF
staple agricultural products will pay the
tariff for revenue just the same as he
pays the tariff for protection. True, 1t
would be less in amount but then there
would be the damage to labor out of all
proportion to the benefits to agriculture.
A tariff for revenue is no remedy. 1t is
a deIusion. 1t would be by far better to
one fell sweep.
The true remedy is in the adoption of
the proposition herein advocated. 1t
certainly is in the interest Of agriculture,
and therefore of labor. and whatever is
in the interest of agriculture and labor is
also in the interest of commerce. The
proposition is therefore in the interest OF
all the people-in the interest of the re-
public.
The question remains in what manner
is the Government TO raise the amount OF
money it should pay toward the reduc-
ton of transportation on the staple agrl-
cultural products? The following is an
answer:
The past history of importation rev.
enue receipts demonstrates that, when
ever the producer of staple agricultural
products have made q profit, it is then
that wage earners have been kept at
work, and then commerce 11uctuates
from an average to maximum standard.
Whenever this has has been the case the
Treasury has been full to overtlowing.
On the other hand, meager margin, bor-
dering close to cost OF production on
staple agricultural products, has so dl-
miniShed the demand for skilled labor
and reduced the volume of commerce that
the volume in the Treasury was low. vi
which we have an example III the recent
condition, when the Government was
compelled to issue $50, ,000, ,000 worth OF
interest bearing bonds in order to meet
current expenses. Now, then, the ad-
vanced price to the producer of staplesag-
ricultural products, resulting from the
adoption of this plan, would render
him an average or maximum buyer
for manufactured goods, and which would
tend to maintain steady demand for
skilled labor, all of which would stlmu-
Ia Il Nl,.,N n
tend to fill the treasury. Hence, the me-
chanism for procuring the necessary
money to pay for the reduction IS auto
matte
In conclusion, / wish to state that it is
the earnest wish of the writer to enlist
the advice, assistance and cooperation O1
all who can be of service to this cause,
and from every section OF the Union.
Present developments indicate that this
proposition is destined to become ma
tional issue in the near future. Political
leaders are now making more serious in
quiry into the matter than formerly, and
criticisms and encouraging comments are
coming to hand from the different Sec
tions of the Union, the greater number
from the Southern and Western States
Latterly, however, Eastern journals have
taken the matter up with the seriousness
that the importance of the matter de-
mands.
The California State Grange, at its last
convention, appointed a committee o.
five to consider and report on the prac'
ticability of this proposition. This com
mittee. having had the matter in hand
for six months, gave it considerable at
tention. resulting in a voluminous CORE
spondence and in personal interviews
On Thursday, April 18th, the commit ttee
met for final action at the Midwintel
Fair in the Northern California build
ing at San Francisco and rendered
report indorsing the proposition
unanimously. The Executive Com
mittee of the State Grange received the
report favorably and gave it indorse-
ment. The proposition is now being con-
sidered by the subordinate Oranges o.
other States, and we may presently ex-
pect to hear that it has been indorsed by
them.
Just as soon as it shall be proven tha
the promoter of this proposition is wrong
in his premises and conclusions, just Sc
soon will he abandon the advocacy O.
this proposition. But until that time ht
believes it is his duty to continue in the
work, in the hope that abler men viii
come forward and complete what he ha:
begun.