, 1896-03-09
C GALL.

experience Of the past two years any
paper or individual should still ON
tend that the policy of free trade is the
proper thing for the United States and
that a balance of trade against a coun-
try Is a source of profit, yet we find
them doing it.
In an article in the Boomerang Sat-
urday night it is argued that the enor
nous balance of trade against Great
Britain during the past 81 years has
been a direct benefit. but the argument
10 none clearer than mud and the read
er is left entirely in the dark as to
how the enormous loss in gold which
was used to purchase foreign products
was overcome. To the man who has
given the matter study there is but one
logical conclusion. and that is that free
trade NEAR ruin to a debtor nation
which is developing its own material
resources.
b democrats are hypocritical and
tnsincere in their arguments upon the
tariff. For instance the writer in the
Boomerang states hat the exports of
something like $34, 900, 900 worth of
wheat in 1894, bringing a profit over
the New York price Of about Sc 1000, 900
Is argued as a loss by protec-
tionists. If the entire amount is to be
invested in foreign goods to be return
ed to New York, as stated by the writ
er, it is certain that the labor required
to produce the goods imported is a
complete loss to the artisans of Ameri-
ca. 1t is a fallacy to suppose that he
who exports wheat or beef trades it for
cotton or wooden goods.
What the democratic party as a
whole thinks Of their free trade argu-
ment was very aptly illustrated when
the Wilson bill was before congress.
Democratic members were very en-
thusiastic in their clamor for free trade
for every other section Of the country
but their own. Did the democrats of
Louisiana want free trade in sugar
Not much. Did the democratic repre-
sentatives from New York want free
trade in collars and cuffs? Not a little
bit. OF the nearly 700 amendments
made to the Wilson bill in the senate
and poked down the throat Of Wilson
and Cleveland, all were in the line of
protection to horne Industries.
Before the election Of 1892 the re-
publicans, in the press and from the
rostrum, told the people what would be
the effect of the lowering of the duties
OF b Mckinley tariff. They said it
would bring about hard times, impov-
erish industries. bond sales and a gen
eral condition of poverty throughout
the land. Have we had hard times?
Have bonds been sold? Has poverty
ever been more prevalent from the At
lantic to the Pacific?
Before the election Of 1892 the re-
publicans Of Wyoming contended that
free trade In wool meant that the woods
Of Wyoming would come directly in
competition with the London market.
The democrats said that free trade
would mean an advance in price and
even advised sheepmen to hold their
clips until they should get into power.
What was the result? As everybody
knows. the price Of wool fell one-half,
and now the democrats a that the
shespmen have no right to kick, any
way. Wool 10 only a by-product and
II they get anything at all out of it it
II better than nothing.
The people OF Wyoming and the
United States are only waiting for an
other opportunity to express their
opinion of the democratic party and
free trade.