The San Francisco call., 1896-12-31
DEMANDING PROTECTION.

The representatives OF American in
dustry who are now being heard by the
Committee of Ways and Means at Wash
ington are giving abundant evidence of
the need of increased protection to pro-
mote the welfare of American industry.
Such evidence, after the disastrous expe-
riences OF the last three years, is hardly
necessary toeonvince any intelligent man
of the importance of that need, but it is
nevertheless valuable, as it goes to show
in detail how great has been the injury
inflicted by the Democratic. tariff upon
each particular industry of the people.
lU is notable that In almost every case
the men who have been heard before the
committee have strongly recommended
the adoption of specific instead of ad
valorem duties. AS was well said by one
of the representatives of the cotton cloth
manufacturers on Tuesday, "Ad valorem
duties catch nothing in the custom
house" They afford no protection what
ever 10 industry and almost no revenue to
the Government. About the only things
which they produce to any extent are
false entries and periuries.
An interesting fact brought out by the
England are much more lightly taxed
than in the United States. Mr.. Chase OF
Fall River, Mass, stated that his mill
raid $24, 900 in taxes, W hile similar mill
in England would pay but $1,000. In
Great Britain everything is done to stimu-
late manufacturers, while in this country
the manufacturer not only has to pay
higher wages than in England, but higher
taxes also.
One of the most salts factory features Of
the hearings has been the appearance of
representatives of Southern industries be-
fore the committee joining as earnestly as
their Northern friends in advocating a re-
turn to the protective system. One of
these made strong argument in favor of
the adoption of a high duty on Egyptian
cotton. This product, it seems, is at pres.
ent underselling the extra staple cotton of
the Southern States, having largely de-
creased in price during the last ten years.
The appearance OF these Southern men
asking for protection is not pleasing to the
free-trade Democrats who represent the
South in Congress. One of them, General
Wheeler OF Alabama, is reported to have
declared with much warmth, 1.-The South
Will be selling its birthright for mess of
pottage TO ask for this protection" !"
When questioned as to what the Southern
birthright was Mr.. Wheeler replied, "Free
institutions. free trade and free every
thing" This is indeed a pretty senti-
ment, but it does not help the industries
of the South, and the men who are now
engaged in building them up have learned
that freedom for American industry to
grow and prosper is great deal better
than free trade and industrial demoraliza-
ton.
While but few OF the hearings proposed
have been held as yet, enough has been
made known to make certain that it will
be comparatively easy for the committee
to agree upon bill which will find sup
port by the great majority OF the people
in every section OF the Union The de-
mand everywhere is for protection, and in
providing that the next Congress will re-
move this long-vexed question from our
politics and prepare the way for going for
| ward to other things.