Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1901-02-09
PROTECTION DID TT.
UNDER 1T A CENTURY'S PROC
RESS IS MADE.
An Industrial Review by the Ameri-
Recommendations manufactures
and American Labor the Chief Cause
of Our National Greatness--

QaI6 CONTAINS an 1nQuSIIld1 Icf1SW "a
the nineteenth century which discloses
our most remarkable growth and de-
velopment in all fields of endeavor.
The writer very fully shows that cur
prosperity has been SO identified with
protection as to make the former In
every instance the sequence of the lat
ter. The tariff laws of the century are
given in full and their effects upon our
commerce and trade are succinctly
stated. The article is accompanied by
table giving by decades our progress
In wealth, commerce and principal
lines of industry.
Wonderful Wealth Gain.
This table shows that in wealth we
have increased from $500, 000, 900 IN
1900 to 800. O00, O0o. 900 in 1900; that
our foreign commerce in 1900 was
162,244,54 and in 1900 was $2.244,-
<24, 266; that our exports of $7O,97l,-
$50 in 1900 had increased to $l.294,-
1885, in 1900; that our products OF
manufacture, which were perhaps 800
coo, 900 in value in 1900, were valued at
about $4,000. 900 900 in 1900; that our
800 post offices of 1900 numbered 49,
$50 in 1900; that our textile products
OF a few thousands in value in 1900
were Ndlu0Q al ONCA ~"
900 ,O0O, 900 in 1900; that our iron and
steel manufactures of $14,364,526 IN
value in 1910 were valued at over ST.
900 900 900 in 1900; that our railroad
mileage of % miles in 1880 had in
creased to 1885, 1O in 1eO0-in short,
that from an Insignificant group OF s.
600 900 of people in 1900 we have be
come in 1900 a nation of more than
76, 900 900, with greater wealth, with
greater output in all fields of produc-
ton, with greater credit than any other
nation on earth.
Due to Protection
The review of the century not only
shows that our periods of prosperity
have been during the years when
protective tariff has been in force, but
that the creation of our important in
dustries dates from the year when an
| adequate duty was laid on the product
| OF those industries. Two or three IL
| Illustrations will suffice. In 1870 only
| 10000 tons of steel rails were made in
| the United States, and these sold at
| 500 per ton in gold. In 1900 we were
making over 100000 tons a year at
a price of S24 ton, and the price has
been as low as SIT a ton. We were
wire nails in 1888, when the duty was
increased from one to four cents per
pound. In 1888 the output was 1,O00,-
900 kegs and in 1900 over 100000 kegs,
while the price has been reduced from
cents per pound to 2 cents per pound.
March of Progress.
We made no tin plate in 1890, when
! for the first time a duty was laid by
| the Mckinley law. In 1900 we made
over 40O, 900 tons, and can not only
supply the home market but are now
| exporting it. Hundreds of other prod
ucts owe their development to protec-
ton. On the other hand, when duties
have been lowered or removed the con-
sequences have been serious and most
disastrous. The blow to all our indus
tries, and especially to wool and wool
| lens, by the Wilson-Gorman law is
only too fresh in the minds of all. The
tariff of 1888 was a severe blow to our
wool industry, while the low tariffs OF
1886 and 1875 threw the country into
panic and bankruptcy, as did the
tariff of 1888.
Principle Has Predominated.
But protection has predominated, es-
pecia1ly since the civil war. and it is
| during this last thirty-five years that
our great progress has been made. Our
iron and steel manufactures, our tex
tile products, our farm prodactA our
exports and many other commercial
and financial totals are now measured
by billions instead of the millions Oh
thousands of the early part of the cen
| tury.
The writer concludes his review as
follows:
| Tribute to High Tariff.
What greater tribute to an economic
principle; what greater vindication OF
national system of legislation; what
greater proof of the wisdom of a pro-
tective tariff could there be than the
results of the nineteenth century In
the United States? We have victorious
ly waged two great foreign wars. WE
have waged one of the greatest civil
wars ever known to mankind. We
have freed millions of slaves. w.
have welcomed to our free institution.
20 900 900 of foreigners. We have solo
abroad over $50, O00. 000. 900 worth o
our products of agriculture and manu-
facture. We have accumulated ovel
500 900 .0oO. 900 of wealth
Greatest of Nations.
From an almost Insignificant re
public we have grown to be the great
est nation on earth in wealth, in pro
duction and consumption We hav,
become the most powerful in diplomac,
and war. We feed much of the worlt