The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-08-15
Prosperity Is The Issue.

From the standpoint of the opti-
mistic and contented Protectionist,
the fiscal year just closed has been
most satisfactory, one, and the
calendar year promises to be the
greatest we have ever known in our
history. From the standpoint of
the pessimistic and discontented,
Free-Trade's both fiscal and cal
endar years bring bitter memories
and vague forebodings of continued
prosperity. Free-Trade and pros
perity are sworn enemies, as foreign
as the negative and positive poles
of battery. But We have no con-
Germ because the gloomy and dire
hopes and prophecies of the Free
Traders have not been realized. 1t
is for us to rejoice over the splendid
results of the Dingley law now clos
ing the fifth year Of its operation.
1t has been decided success in
every way, both from a revenue and
Protective standpoint. The revenue
from customs was S254,456,951
the largest in our history. The
benefit to agriculture and manufact-
ures and to the people in employ
ment and earnings has never been
euualed. The outlook is favorable
for an unprecedented year in agri-
culture, and the manufacturing out
put is bound To exceed that of any
previous months in our history.
1t is true that our exports have fall
en- off to the extent of SIo5, 900, coo,
but as this has been offset by in
creased sales at home to the value
of 10 to 20 times that amount,
there is no complaining. In fact if
the Free-Trader's contention be true
that our manufactures sell for less
abroad than at home, and if the
home demand takes almost the en-
tire output, then from the producers
standpoint, the situation must be very
satisfactory. 1t is reported that every
iron and steel concern in the coun-
try has orders ahead for from six
months to year at best prices, and
yet the people do not know o. the
increased cost. No matter how
much the railroads are paying for
rails or locomotives or cars, the
people are paying no higher fares,
nor the shippers higher rates for
freight. Clothing was never more
reasonable in price, and with a good
corn crop and good yield of hay
and potatoes all food will no doubt
soon reach a normal basis. Never
were so many people constantly EN-
ployed at such good wages as now.
Never were our mills so busy in
producing; our railroads so taxed
in transporting, or our merchants SC
fnlly employed in distributing the
necessaries and luxuries of life.
We are at peace with all the earth,
and but for the occasional strikes
which are themselves an indication
of prosperity there would not be
cloud on our industrial, financial OIL
social horizon. 1t will be a wrong
time for the Free-Trade party tc
raise the Tariff issue, but if tits the
only issue left let them try it by al
means as prelude to 1904. W.
want no Tariff tinkering for years t(
come, under present condition.
Our people are fully satisfied t(
continue the Dingley law, and will
it continue the good times which WI
are now enjoying. The election
this fall will turn largely upon th'
national issue, which is the issue o
prosperity. We believe prosperit,
will win and that there will be
good working majority of Protect
ioists elected to the Fifty-eightl
Congress and that State legislature
will maintain the present Protect
ionist majority in the United State
, Senate. Springfield "Unlon.