The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-11

Some newspapers are objecting to the
proposition TO have a short campaign next
year. They say that the campaign Is
period Of education and there should be
ample time for a discussion OF principles.
Usually this is true; but we need study
no abstruse text books this time The
work OF education is going on now. Dur
Ing the last campaign, the argument was
heard: now we have the proofs. The
great question before the people will be
that OF the tariff. and they have plenty
OF object lessons before them daily. with
out listening TO speeches or perusing
campaign pamphlets.
Republican speakers pleaded with the
people in the last presidential campaign
not TO take a backward step. But be-
cause events moved too slowly, the Dem
ocrats were able TO delude thousands of
voters into the belief that protection was
the cause OF the hardness and that with
tariff reform prosperity would extend its
wings over the whole country.
How grievously they were mistaken
and how bitter has been the awakening
none need now be told. The answer is
not to be sought in books, it stares us
all I'm the face at every turn.
We have had one years experience I'M
der the new tariff and we can only guess
what the consequences would now be had
not the descending tendency been checked
by the revulsion Of feeling shown by the
congressional elections last fall. The de-
10 al in "a
tails. without the accompanying expIana-
ton that even in such business as has
been done prices have been so low that
there was no margin OF profit for either
labor or capital.
The falling off in production of manu-
featured articles has resulted in an in
ability of our people TO consume as much
as usual. yet the volume OF importations
has been enormously increased over those
Of 1884. We complain here that people
do not patronizs home industries. We
realize that it is simply local suicide TO
send all our money abroad TO buy goods
which might be manufactured here. We
are in a better position than ever TO APP
precate Lincoln's simple and direct Illus
tration: II don't know about your theo-
ries.' he said. but / understand this: If
we send away 81 900 600 TO Europe for iron
goods. we get the iron and Europe gets
our money. II we manufacture those
articles at home we both get the iron
and keep The money" The reverse Of
that is the condition today. While thou
sands of our mechanics are idle. those
who are able TO buy are sending away
the money that should go 10 those work
ingmen to European manufacturers and
European mechanics.
We were told that IL our ports were
thrown open TO European markets by re-
auctions in the tariff. Europe would take
our goods in exchange. The cruel. lr-
REPUTABLE fact is that she beats down our
mechanical industries with her products.
and takes our gold to buy wheat Of Ar
gentlna and siberia.
The consumption in to United States
or articles which should be protected has
fallen OF because. like the old Seattleite
Who could buy lots on Front street in
lS5o for 500. but who didn't have the 300
10 DO It with. We are unable to purchase
rs literally IS in the days when we were
all working
Tho following table shows articles or
which there has been a reduction Of the
tariff. Nith n comparison of our purchases
In the three years given. ending with
June 81: