Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-05-12
It's Rule Wont Work Both Ways.

The Biddeford Record takes eXcep-
tions to our reference to its recent edi-
torial, in which it inVeighed against
any attempt on the part of cotton
manufacturers to cut down wages
under any circumstances. 1t declares
that the Democratic tariff is in no way
responsible for the hard times, especi-
ally in cotton manufacturing centres,
and cites in proof of this one mill in
this State which relies largely upon its
foreign trade. AS we'll say that one
swallow makes a summer.
1t is admitted on all sides. so far as
we know, that the Wilson German
tariff was less injurious to the cotton
industry than to many others. but
wherever the cotton industry is de-
pendent upon good times among the
consumers in this country, to that eX-
tent it necessarily is affected by any
thing affecting that capacity for con-
sumption. But the record would have
it understood that the kennebec Jour
nal and newspapers favoring protec-
ton are wholly responsible for hard
a loss of confidence. This greatly ex-
agserates the common belief in the
power of the press and may tatter the
Records sense of personal responsi-
bility for existing conditions, for assur-
edly it should exert an equal influence
in inspiring public confidence with a
the pastime of weakening that con-
fidcnce.
The Record says: NO sooner had
the people of this country by an over
Whelming majority discarded the rob-
Der tariff. than the Republican press of
the whole country combined in an
effort which has been persisted in for
three years to destroy all business con-
fidence. They succeeded" There you
go again. brother, ''robber tariff" Does
it not occur to you. as it does to most
other people, that it's a mighty poor
rule that won't work both ways? For
years the Democratic press exercised
it's marvellous power in attempting to
destroy confidence in protective tariff.
People We're told that they were being
robbed through tax upon the working
mans tin dinner pail and the clothes
for his family. The power of the Dem
| M, ip in, fhic
sufficient to convince many if not the
majority that the ''robber tariff
should be abolished. that it was on in
jury to business generally. But did
these allegations and conditions destroy
business, lower wages destroy or
diminish the capacity of the consumer?
Every intelligent person cognizant of
the facts knows that they did not The
Wilson German law went into effect.
Free wool led to the slaughter of thou
sands of sheep and would well nigh
have ruined the industry had not the
use of mutton as a food largely in
creased Wages came down. There
nave DeeD DOlu Cut-uON IlS dllu SIul-
downs. The capacity of this country
as consumer was seriously impaired.
The people could not buy 50 many
| cotton goods. woolen goods, etc. Never
theless importation from abroad in
creased Times became good in Eng
| lish manufacturing centers because of
! increased American trade, at a time,
too, when American trade was decreas-
ing. Did Republican newspapers do all
| this? Is the kennebec Journal respon-
sible because the Democrats didn't
know enough to frame a tariff that
would provide sufficient revenue? 1t
will be an off day with the marines
when they take any stock in such a
| theory.
|