Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-10-28
PROTECTION AND RECIPROCITY.
Prosperity of Farmers and Millers De-
ponds Upon Their Re-eMactment.


President NJ. II. Davis of the Winter
Wheat NIillers' league has put into a
brief paper statement of the losses suf-
fered by farmers. millers, manufacture
ers, tradesmen and workingmen through
the repeal of the reciprocity clauses of
the Mckinley law in 1894.
This statement is comprehensive and
shows by figures the extent of the calam-
ity which befell American industry and
trade when reciprocity was abandoned
through the enactment of the Wilson
German act. The argument which these
figures present is most persuasive for the
restoration of the Republican party to
power and the re-enactment of protection
and reciprocity. Mr. Davis says:
Under the reciprocity of the Mckinley
law, our exports of flour, wheat and other
farm products increased steadily, and enor-
mously, because we were able to get them
into foreign countries at a lower tariff
rate than the grain and flour from other
parts of the world had to pay for entering
those countries. So we could get better
prices for our grain and flour under reel
procity than other countries were getting
at the same time.
Based upon ordinary common sense, it
was so far-reaching in its influence that if il
could have been carried out without inter
ruption, It's effect would have been felt
upon the income of every farmer, in the
profits of every merchant, and in the wages
of every mechanic and laborer in this land.
Under the Mckinley tariff and the reel
procity feature, our exports of agricultural
products in 1892 exceeded our exports in
1895 by $3.50, 100000
Under the Wilson-G German tariff our i'm
ports of agricultural products in 1895 eN-
ceeded those of 1892 by sos 100000
Comparing the two years, the loss to the
American farmer amounts to $330000,000
AS there are 100000 farms in the United
States, this means an average loss of nearly
$50 per year to every farm in the land.
The loss to the farmer alone is a sum suf-
fcient to purchase the entire wheat crop of
this country for one year at 50 cents per
bushel.
The famer is not the only sufferer The
effects of unwise legislation are felt in every
branch of trade that seeks its patronage, 1t
is felt by every manufacturer who supplies
his wants, and equally so by those who
handle his products.
In the course Of the argument present
ed by Mr.. Davis attention is also given
to the losses suffered by the producers
and packers of pork and beef The fig
ures will be found in another place, with
the entire article.
Mr.. Davis has shown that we have
actually given away to foreign nations.
without return, the value of the entire
wheat crop of this country for a year.
But this loss is only q small item in the
great total resulting from the enactment
of the WilsonGorman tariff. The loss
on the wool clip of the United States and
on the value of the sheep is enormous
To this must be added the reduction in
the value of hogs and beef cattle The
wealth thus destroyed has made the diff
ference between the prosperity which
ruled in 1S90-92 and the depression
which has been felt since 1893. Under
the ruinous economic policy of the Demo-
cratic party the country has surrendered
it's home and foreign markets and invited
foreign nations to occupy them No won
der capable and enterprising men are
idle, no wonder the profits of business
have fallen to the danger point
In the way of relief the Democracy
offers nothing but a depreciation of our
currency. On the other hand, the Re,
publican party proposes restoration of
the former conditions, now recognized as
sound and good by every one who has