The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-03-27
TRUE AND FALSE pRorEcrroN,

The free trade organs OF the United
States charge protectionists with pa
ternalism. They clamor for tn, applica-
ton ct the maxim that government
shall do nothing for the people which
the people can do for themselves" They
point to England as proof that individual
liberty is the best and the only means
indeed by which the greatest good can
be secured for the greatest number.
Ambassador Bayard astonished q British
audience recently by a diatribe against
his own country for tolerating protection
IN any form.
The most obnoxious form of protection.
according to American free trade organs,
is what Mr.. Bayard and they call state
socialism" State socialism IS diversion
Of ptblic money to class purposes.
Great Britain is held up to US as a
witness against state socialism and a
monument OF the benefits OF free trade.
In fact. there is no other country IN the
world in which protection In the form
of state socialism is carried to such ,N-
cess.
Under British free trade subsidies are
paid to ships 10 open up new roads to
British commerce, the subsidy being
scarcely disguised under the name OF
generous mail contract.
Under British free trade protection has
been eoloSsally applied In the form OF
enforced reductions of rents by landlords
10 tenants: in FARMERS light railways"
ln the compulsory remission of arrears.
and in compulsory arbitration by which
freedom Of contract. a constitutional
boast OF Great Britain. has been largely
nullined in great part OF the United
Kingdom.
Under British free trade the most ob-
noxious form OF protection. state social
isn, has heen rampant. State monty
has beSn given outright in various forms
and on divers pretexts to many private
or class interests. STATE mooey has also
been lent below market rates 10 various
class interests. notably TO agricultural
landlords under one ST of laws and to
agricultural tenants under another.
Under British free trade protection in
The form OF state socialism has baen
gradually abolIshing priva;e corporate
properties to be operated by tn state.
Under British frse trade class legislation
has gone TO the length Of using public
revendes to improve homes for portions
of the people as well as TO own local
markets for classes o. venders. street
railways for other classes who cannot
AFFORD private vehicles, electric light
Plants as well as telegraphs and tcle-
phoiic systems.
The latest protective proposal offer-d
in G. eat Britain is the tory Chamber
lafn's pensions for old age and tory Bal
four's scheme for lending men money 10
buy houses with.
Mr.. Bxyard might have found more
acute state socialism nuder his eyes in
Great Britain than the protective policy
of the Republican party ever contemplate
ed ir the United States. Animosity 10
the Republican masses Of his American
fellom countrymen blinded vision never
wide in any direction.
American protection. unlike British
free trade. which is reeklng with state
and other socialism, is rational because
It seeks to build up a nation, not classes.
1t is patriotic. therefore. not paternalis-
tic, as British free trade is.
The American psople discriminate be-
tween false and true protection, and will
make this discrimination into law IN a
conservative way as soon as congress
shall once more represent the intelligence
and wisdom Of the country