The record-union., 1894-08-09
"a NOVEL PROPOSITIONS %

The Republican platform adopted by
Ehe State Convention, June 20, 1894, con-
tains very remarkable plank. 1t is re-
markable, both for what it proposes and
the style of its expression. The plank is
embraced in one long sentence. and is as
follows:
We heartily endorse the proposition that
the farmer OF the Nation, by whose labors the
staple agricultural products OF the country
are produced, should receive just measure
of protection for himself, his labor and his
products, inasmuch as the price of these pro-
ducts is regulated by the amount paid for
Them in the worlds market cenJers. less the
cost OF transportation from the place of pro-
duction 10 such centers; and as owing TO
the great development of staple agricultural
products ia many Of the cheapest labor coun-
tries In the world, the prices realized by our
Farmers have of late been unremunerative II
Is our duty TO endeavor TO change this state OF
affairs; hence we approve Of the plan that
the Government OF the United States should
reduce the cost of transporting these staple
agricultural products from American sea ports
to foreign seaports, to the end that prices of
products may be advanced, and Tor tnat puf
pose, inasmuch as an export can be protected
IN no other manner, we pronounce ourselves
IN favor of the use of limited portion OF the
receipts of the United States customs for such
purposes, and pledge our most earnest efforts
10 have this measure engrafted upon the laws
OF the land, to the end that the American pro-
tecttve system shall benefit all classes of peo-
pie, aid the farmer against the oppressive
competition of the cheap labor countries of
the world. and. by so doing. assist in nlain-
tanning that steady demand for labor III man
piacturing centers so essential to the labor OF
She country.
In this one long sentence may be found
q declaration of policy, recitation of fact,
infsrences drawn from the fact recited,
$bo oruroiofio1 of r,-ipoir1as of ,1oI;t;oal
economy not quite orthodox from Re-
publican standpoint, with other matters
and things which need not be mentioned
here.
The matter which the resolution refers
TO is of such recent origin that it is doubt
fui if many persons who read the plat
form understood the meaning of this
particular plank. The plank refers to
proposition made by our fellow-citizsn
David Lubin. and it's formulation is no
doubt his. Mr.. Lubin's proposition has
been before the people in various forms
for some time, and this reference to him
and the peculiar theories he is now adj
vocating will assist many in understand
ing this plank of the Republican State
platform.
1t Is an Endorsement of a proposition to
pay part of the freight charged upon
the staple agricultural products of Amer
ica from the Treasury of the United
States to the end that the price of staple
A
higher, or, to state this in another form,
1t is proposition for the Government of
the United States to pay percentage of
the freight charge upon the staple agri-
cultural products of the country. thus
relieving the producer, the shipper and
the consumer of that much of the cost of
ducts in their final market, and in the
hope, the expectation or belief that since
the Government Of the United States
pays that part of the freight charge, the
purchaser and the consumer could afford
to pay more, and that therefore the pro-
ducer will obtain higher price.
The theory is advocated on the ground
that 25 per cent. of the staple products of
the country are exported and that rs per
cent, or three-fourths, are consumed at
home; that the quotation or price of that
which is consumed at home, equally with
that which is exported, is made in the
foreign market; that the home market
takes the foreign market for its stand
ard and subtracts the cost of getting the
article to that market; that if, therefore.
She Government should pay q part of
that cost the purchaser and consumer
would be relieved to that extent and the
ouotable value of the entire product rise.
Thus, by paying part of the freight
On one-quarter of the product, the quot
able value of the entire product would
rise to an amount equal to that paid by
the Government in freight. If unit of
wheat in Liverpool is worth 81, and the
freight on it is ten cents, the American
price is ninety cents. Now it is con-
tended that if the Government would
nav i've Of the ten cents freight charge.
the American quotation would be ninety
Eve cents, and this quotation would ap-