Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-12-24
TARIEF AND FINANCE.

Elifor Dsaorrat:
Ia lSS9 We had no Tin plate manufac-
tories In this country, and imported
G.S14.-O3 boxes from foreign countries.
The tariff OF l>90 imposed duty OF
, 2-lO cents per pound, which led 70 the
establishment Of 81 plants, having lS=
block plate mills in operation. OF them
arr putting ia - additional mills, while
there are more plants actually In proc
esS OF construction, with an aggregate OF
Is mills. There are 80 coating eStao-
lishmeuts building or in operation. max
ing tin plate for general consumption.
Ia ISq4 the impOrtations had fallen OF
more than 100000.
The growth Of the industry IN the
United states has been phenomenal.
In a period of less than four years
il has grown from nothing TO an
industry capable of producing enough
tin plate. when the mills now being
built are put in operation, 20 supply the
whole domestic demand. This Is saving
millions % dollars 10 the country year
IN, employing thousands OF men at good
wages, requiring food, raiment and
shelter for themselves and their families.
This one industry i but sample OF
what protection has dOne for our eOun-
try. Agriculture. the manufacture oil
wooden and cotton goods, of iron, steel
cutlery. ETC., have been fOStered by this
beneficent provision in our laws; and
when these laws have been tempered
with. disaster and ruin have been the
result.
Having hastily laid before the readers
OF the Democrat the tariff legislation OF
our government, I am constantly receiy-
ing inquiries. "Nhst has this 10 do with
the financial situstion:' and with your
permission. Mr.. Editor, in future mum
Der will give some of my experience
and observation. The boy who earns
iiity cents and saves twenty-five of II i
a capitalist. Nations. like individuals
are dependent on their SdcitgS more than
their EARNINGS. when the exports ex-
coed the imports they are prosperous
When the imports exceed the exports,
they are on the road TO bankruptcy. Like
the boy. when he spends more than he
earns, he soon becomes a bankrupt.
You cannot separate the finances OF 3
country from it, exports aud imports
The Wilson-Gormsn bill gave such al
impetus 10 foreign impOrtations and had
such disastrous effect upon our OWL
industries, that the gold is sent abroad
10 paw foreign manufacturers and foreign
labOrers, instead Of going into the hands
of our Own citizens.
Pardon one simple Illustration which
has come under my own observation
Ia town in Oxford County, a certain
company have expended $1,000 in build
ing and repairing IN the last ten years
The lumber has all been purchased IN
town. aud the lSbOrerS were all citizens
of the town. The money lcdS kelt al
home. Another company expended
about the same amount of money, bought
their lumber not only outside the town,
bat outside the state, and brought IN
foreign labor. The money all tc,U OCT
of town. Which company was acting
in the interest of the town: 10 the one
case the money only exchanged hands
in the town. and gave employment 10
twenty lab0rers near their homes. In
the other case the money all went out of
the town. and these laboTers were idle,
or had 20 seek for employment abroad,
being subjected 70 much Inconvenience
and expense. Money is the medium Of
exchange to-day; labor on the soil Is the
unit of value. +. W. WOODBURY..