The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-13
FLORIDA'S DEMAND FOR Pro
ItfIInN

lIsoklbA'S DIM NM / pk titp-
lection.
The petition Of the Florida legislature
to Congress to put a tariff tax ON raw
cotton has given the protectionisis OF
the North good campaign material. ma
they are using 10 20 rally the farmers OK
the country around the protection BAN
ncr. This petition is undoubtedly in
RECOGNITION Of the protection principle
ana is contrary to the tariff doctrine FOR
which the Democratic party has always
stood. So member of the Florida Legs
lature who voted for the resolution can
consistently oppose the Dinsloy tariff
law or any other law constructed upon
the same principle If fine Southern peo-
pie demand a protective tariff or law
cotton they surely cannot raise their
voice I'm protest when any other indus
try I'm amy section Of the country de-
mands protection The resolution IS
distinct blow at Democratic doctrine ana
cannot be otherwise interpreted.
but apart from the principle involved
Jet us look for moment at the policy
OF such measure. The little bit of
Egyptian cotton that comes to this coun-
fry cannot fairly be said to be I'm compeu-
ton with the great cotton crop Of the
South. and we do not believe that
tariff ON raw cotton would lit the price
of southern cotton q fraction OF cent
per pound.
But suppose it should DO SO. Suppose
a Republican Congress should take the
Southern farmers at their word and put
"a tax of say three cents a pound on raw
cotton. and so raise the price of raw
cotton i'm the South to that extent, thus
making American cotton worth in
America nine cents "a pound instead of
six cents % pound. Would the tariff at-
feet the price of American cotton ia the
riycruool market Certainly not ln
that market the price Of American cot
ton would Doe tho same as the price of
other cotton of similar grades from other
cotton-prolucug countries. And SO the
manufac urcr, of Great Britain would
receive their raw material for six cents
per pound. whereas the manufacturers
I'm the United states would pay nine cents
per pound for the same article. How long
voun the cotton manufacturing indus
try Of this country hold up under such
conditions? % would Doe impossible. of
course. to compete in foreign lands with
tine cotton manufacturers of England
and in order 90 prevent England from
sending her goods to MS and undersciine
the American manufacturers We would
have 10 put practically a prohioi.ory
tariff on foreign manufacturer and live
within ourselves
Let MS continue this 20 it's logical end.
We should not only be deprive of q for
eien market bat the great body OF
American people would be compelled TO
nav 10 pcr cent. more for their cotton
goods than they have 90 pay under press
emf conditions. and This would be as
tax levied upon them. not for the gov
ernment but for the farmers Of tho
South. THAT is what The Florida Ie'oiu-
ton con clnliht''' ''-'t ID ''
and design 1t is proposed by this 50.
called tax TO prevent foreign compeu-
zion and so 90 enable the farmer 20 eX-
tort tribute money rom every person in
the United States who buys "a yard Of
cotton goods.
The Times feels a great interest I'm the
Southern planter. not simply because we
like him and believe in him. but be-
cause agriculture is no the basis of The
industrial structure of the South. and
prosperous farming means prosperity Tor
the South ana for aI of MS. We nave
devoted grc't deal of our space with
what result we SHAH not say. TO lectures
from time 60 time on seie"'i"' i'i''''''1'
and in our poor way we nave ,''
help along the man VINO u"S '"'
But We are unwilling to help inc farmer
as we are unwilling 20 help any olh'f
business man. by C.ass legislation we
.t H.. 4.st,,. ,Y. man Car sn-
.,.. ,,,,,.. h.,e6, We do not believe
=, any Inv that lcyies tax upon one
.,,ss ~ ,ifl2ens for the peculiar benefit