Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-09-29


While other questions of importanct
were discussed at the constitutions
convention, the one, How shall we
secure protection to home Industry
was undoubtedly responsible for this
hrst step In the establishment of a
centralized government. And it is not
strange to note that the very first
question to be settled by congress un.
der the working of the new govern.
ment was that of the regulation of ma
tlonal commerce and the establish
ment of a just and sufficient rate OF
duties.
From Fridays Daily.
AS stated yesterday our forefathers
aroused to activity by the dire neces
sity of the country, held the conven
ton and drafted the constitution which
was finally adopted. The first con
gress was elected under its provisions
and by it was the machinery Of the
government set in motion. The first
act considered. affecting the country
was one for the establishment OF a
protective tariff. 1t is needless to re
count the discussion on this matter
was long and earnest. This congress
had among its members such men as
James Madison, r. H. Lee, Charles
Carroll, Rufus King, Oliver Ellsworth,
Fisher Ames and others. They rec
ognized the necessity OF a tariff that
should insure sufficient income to meet
the expenses of the government. but
these men saw farther than this. They
realized that, important as was suf-
f1clent revenue for the expenses of the
government, the encouragement of
HON industries the protection of the
laboring men and their products, was
even more important to the life and
prosperity of the nation. In accord
ance with this conviction a protective
measure was passed bearing the fol
lowing preamble:
Whereas, it is necessary for the
support of the government, for the
discharge of the debt of the United
States and for the encouragement and
protection of manufactures, that du-
ties be laid on imported goods, etc,
therefore be it enacted, etc.
Most certainly this proposition had
its enemies then as now, 1t is a notice
able fact that all of its opponents
were either Englishmen or men imbued
With English ideas and that the begin
ming of the idea of protection to home
industries was coincident with the
birth of the nation. Another signifi-
cant fact in connection with this peri
cd of our history is that the first five
commended the doctrine of
protection as one of the cardinal prin-
ciples of the new government and one
necessary to the proper development
Of the nation and the prosperity of the
entire people.
The first protection period extended
from 1889 to 1916 and it will be we'll to
consider some of the benefits which
accrued to the people of the country
as the result OF this tariff law. Imme-
lately American industries that had
been crushed out by the persecution
of the British in taking advantage of
the free trade which existed during
the years of the confederation, began
to revive and new ones were establish
ed. Laboring men were given en-
oloyment and artisans and craftsmen
of all classes were in demand This
caused the rejuvenation of the home
market and agriculture became more
extensive and prosperous and
commerce grew with wonderful rapid I
ty. Our merchant navy regained its
ost prestige, revenues were sufficient
o meet the expenses of the govern
nent, and the entire people became
ontented and industrious.
For more than twenty years this
MEASURE remained in force and the
prosperity of the American people con
inued to grow apace. Then came the
var of 1872 with Great Britain. To de-
Use ways of raising revenues suffi-
lent to meet the expenses of this war
vas the question now before congress.
@ meet this exigency congress turn
d to our tariff and the result of its
CELEBRATIONS was that the rates were
early doubled. This not only furnish
d the needed revenue to meet the in
reased expenditure but served as an
dded stimulus to our growing indus
ries.
During this war England would sell
S nothing and sought to destroy our i
ommerce with other nations. This.
DO, proved beneficial to our industries
S the shortage of our commerce com
elled us to build new factories to +
leet the necessities of the nation.
hough the three years war was an
drain on our resources
ap1d progress was made in national
'ealth and manufacturing ability. All
lngle instance worthy of note in this
onnection is the cotton and wooden
lanufacturies. This industry at the /.
eginning of the war, among the less
nportant, had grown so rapidly that
1915 practically $5O,0OO,O0O were in 4
ested in cotton and wooden factories II
lone. Such were the effects of the
rotectiye measures in force from the
of the government toll.
SIG and though the nation had passed
trough trying war activity in all
lnds of business and commerce had
rown extensively. ]
HE PRESIDENT AND ORGANIZED
LABOR.
A government of the people and by |
e people. cannot diStinolliSh hetwean