The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-05-19
PROTECTION AND POLITICS.

The tariff question belongs, in fact
wholly in the realm of political economy.
1t is something in which ali the people
should take interest independent of party
utilization. OF course there are, or rather
there can be made TO appear to be two
sides to the tariff question, as there are to
every other question, hut it cannot be con-
sidered and analysed intelligently until it
is freed from the environment OF party
prejudice. The philosophy of protection
is clear and explicit in what it teaches,
leaving no room for doubt as to its pur-
pose when it reaches the field of practical
operation. Politicians have dragged the
question into the whirlpool of partisan
politics and party strife, which only pe-
Titles it.
The principles OF protection have always
stood foremost in the long list of complex
and perplexing economic problems in all
countries. Moreover, the degree of pro-
lection as whole, and which articles of
commerce should stand first in the Gov
ernment's favor has always been a source
of contention, but the right of each nation
TO determine for itself what is best for it's
producers has never been questioned. In
the United States the tariff problem is
made unnecessarily difficult of proper So
luton by reason of its close identification
with party politics in the first instance,
and second by lack of appreciation on
the part of the people OF the real purpose
OF tariff legislation. This is due mainly,
If not altogether, to the intensity of party
strife for supremacy, which dwarfs those
things that are essential to the country
commercial and industrial expansion.
Thirty-five years ago the United States
were wholly or practically 50 an agricul-
tural country. In 1861 circumstances gave
opportunity to lay the foundation for in
dustrial enterprises and at the same time
further encourage the production of bread
stuffs and provisions. This was not done for
party advantage, for the new departure OF
the Government, which was then under
the first Republican administration, was
seconded and heartily supported by the
best thought of all parties. How wise and
how conducive to the general good of the
country that policy was is shown in the
increase in the material wealth of the
country from about fifteen billion dollars
in 1861 to about seventy billion dollars in
1886. And it may be said, although the
people know it to be true without remind
ing them of it, that such universal partici-
patton by the people individually in q
country's growth in wealth was never be-
fore witnessed in the world.
1t is evident, therefore, that if the appli-
cation of the principles of protection has
added nearly ffty-tve billion dollars to
the individual wealth of the people in a
little over third of century it would be
an act of supreme folly to return to an
economic theory of government that re-
quired eighty-fve years to accumulate not
much more than one-fourth of that sum,
1t is an economic principle and not mere
party policy that should be the uppermost
in the approaching Presidential campaign,
and it is because the Republican party
champions this tried and not found want
ing economic doctrine OF individual wealth
gathering that the people should rally to
its support. The election of President
next November is purely business prop
nSitinr1