The Somerset reporter., 1898-04-07
Good Arguments.

more attention than we were able to
give them In our paper, last week, we
print the following extracts furnished
us upon rtquest:
BLAINE :. NnEs: The industrial
rank oI the United States divides itself
into Tire" classes, the agricultural class
he manufacturing class, aud the
commercial dass each of which
is equally dependent upon the other, but
foreign interference disturbs the harmo-
ny a. urally existing among The three
classes. Protection seeks to insure the
welfare of all three classes by levying a
sufficient duty on importations to pro.
tect them from foreign competition.
1t is admitted by every one that it is
better for Il city to have mary than few
industries. Protection by fostering new
enterprises creates a market for the raw
material of each portion of the country.
just now when the defiance Of pow
erful nation is sounding in our ears, the
real value of the protective tariff Is APP
preciated. Suppose, Mr.. Chairman, that
Spain sends her warships over here and
blockades our ports, the people of the
United States would hardly know the
difference, so many industries have been
built up In this country under the pro-
tective system. But were we under a
free trade government, we would be en-
tirely at the mercy of foreign producers,
| and the result would be ruinous indeed.
Let US for moment inquire what has
built up this great and prosperous ma
ton. Is it free trade? History denies
1t. History tells us that protection has
encouraged and multiplied our indus
tries. This has caused competition TO
spring up in our markets, thus reducing
prices 10 figure which would give man
| ufacturers but small amount of profit.
Ii has fostered the inventive genius of
our people until they can furnish the
consumer his iron, steel, fabric and
wares, in short all the necessities of
| life, fifty per cent cheaper than he was
wont to purchase them in Europe. Thus
millions of money which the free traders
would have sent abroad yearly, have
been kept in our country. This has fur
nished employment to our workmen, and
utilized our raw material.
In behalf of protection would call
attention to the fact, that the four great
instances in our National history. in
which financial panic and prolonged de-
preston fell upon this country, namely,
in 1919. 1897, 1857, 1894 followed the
! repeal Of protective duties and the sub
, stitution of mere revenue duties. And
in each of the above named instances The
| clouds of free trade, depression and dis
| aster melted away under the benign in
| f1uence of a protective tariff.
We can Judge the future but by the
past, and Judging by the past shall we,
Mr.. Chairman, change that policy which
has built up this magnificent nation, a
| nation whose commerce whitens every
sea, whose exports fled market in
| every cline, and whose flag is respected
in every land, whose people are the hap
| piest, wealthiest and most contented on
the face OF the earth, whose industries
are as diversified as the sands of the sea
and whose onward march under the ban
ner of protect ion has been the wonder of
| the world? Shall we change it | say.
No, thousand times no. Everywhere
throughout the length and breadth of
the land the whirr of machinery, the
clank of the pick, the blow of the ham
mer, the buzz OF the saw mingling with
the happy laughter of well-clothed and
well-fed men and women say "Let pro-
lection remain, the true commercial
policy of this nation"
l.. CLYDE CHURCH: wish to give
you three reasons why Protection is the
better commercial policy for this coun-
try. LIST. Because protective tariff
will make US an independent nation, and
therefore strong one. End. Because
II will create variety of industries, give
us higher wages, and therefore pros
perity. 3rd. Because history proves it
is the hest policy.
LII the United States were the only
country on the globe, its three classes
agricultural, manufacturing, CONNER
cial-would of necessity be in perfect
harmony. There are, however, other
countries, for instance, Germany, which
would gladly furnish us with wooden
manufactures, cheaper even than we can
produce them also England which would
supply all our wants in the lines of iron
:, and cotton manufactures.
The first impression would be, "Let
them do t." but what would be the re-
suit? The line of events would be as
| follows:
There would be no market for our high
priced goods.
Consequently our iron, cotton and
wooden mechanics would be turned from
employment.
The price of the imported goods would
gradually be increased on account of the
greater demand for them, because (you
know that demand always controls
price, and (of course) if we stopped
manufacturing those articles the demand
would be greater, and naturally in a
short time we would be paying old prices
again.
From the simple laws of cause and
effect, the protective system must foster
varied industries and we claim that it is
always more preferable for the labor of a
country to have many than few occupa-
tions. Because near market is afforded
TO the agricultural class. Because 20 in
dnstries will employ more men than 10
will. Because with 20 industries and
our labor force nearly all at work, there
must be more competition among en-
ployers in hiring men, and therefore
higher wages than 10 employers would
have to pay for workmen when half of
the labor force are starving for want of
work.
The negative may argue that protec-
ton is unsound In principle, but should
be inclined to disagree with them. Since
we may not agree as to what might be
the outcome OF either the free trade
theory or the protective principle, it Is
only fair to see what history says about
it. Let me give you an extract from
Buchanan's message to Congress in 1857
after three years covered by low tariff
free trade measures with unsurpassed
plenty In all the elements of national
wealth, our manufactures have sus-