The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-09-23

party stands pledged to every wise method
or increasing foreign commerce. While
the domestic trade of this country eX-
ccedS in volume the entire export and i'm
port trade of the world, the United States
has secured more than an eighth of the
export trade of the world. standing first
amcng the nations. Two years ago, at
LoSansport, Ind, said:
Protecting American Standard.
The one considera ton which must new
perative need of preserving the American
standard of living for the American
workingman. The tariff rate must never
fall below that which will protect the
american Workingman by allowing for the
dlterence between the general labor cost
mere and abroad so as at least to equal
lie the conditions arising from the diff
ference in the standard of labor here and
abroad-a difference which it should be
our aim to foster in so far IS it repre-
sents the needs Of better educated, better
paid, better fed. and better clothed work
ingmen of higher type than any to be
found in, foreign country. At all haz-
ards and no matter what else is sought
Tor or accomplished by changes of the tar
IN, the American workingman must be
protected in his standard of wages that is,
In mis- standard of living, and must be
secured the fullest opportunity of employ
ment. Our laws should in no event af
ford advantage to foreign industries over
American industries They should in no
event do less than equalze the difference
IN conditions at home and abroad.
1T is matter of regret that the protec-
tive tariff policy is not now accepted as
definitely established. Forty odd years
nave been the most prosperous this nation
mas seen. Beyond question this prosperity
could not have come if the American peo-
pie had not possessed the necessary thrift,
energy, and business intelligence to turn
their vast material resources to account
But 1t is no less true that our economic
policy has enabled us to make such good
use of individual capacities and natural
resources Every class of our people is
benefited by the protective tariff. Dur
ing the last few years the merchant has
seen export trade gro" faster than ever
The manufactures could not keep his fac
tory running if ;1 We're not for the pro-
tective tariff The wage-worker would do
well to remember that if protection is"rob-
berry" and is 10 be punished accordingly,
he Will be the first to pay the penalty. The
has grown faster than the cost Of living.
Farmer and the Tariff.
The farmer has been benefited as much
as the others. The most welcome fact
established by the last census is the wide
distribution of wealth. The chief agen-
cies producing this distribution are manu-
the basis Of civilization. The six million
farms of the United States, are more
fruitful than all other resources. The men
l.
the protective tariff the best of all possible
markets. All other classes depend Upon
the farmer, but the farmer depends upon
the market they furnish. American farm
ers nave prospered because their market
has kept pace with their farms. The adj
dit.onal market continually furnished by
domestic manufacturers has been far in
excess of the outlet to other lands An
export trade in farm products is neces-
sary to dispose of our surplus: and the
export trade Of our farmers, both in ami
very largely increased. Without the en-
larged home market. we should have 70
reduce production or else feed the world
at less than the cost OF production. In
the forty years ending in 1900, farm prop
erty increased twelve and half billions,
the farmer gaining more than the manu-
tacturer. The farmer has become Deepen
dent upon the manufacturer to utilize
that portion of his produce which Goes
not go direct to food supply. In 1900 fifty
two per cent of the total value of farm
products was consumed as raw materials
of factories. Evidently the manufacturer
is the farmers best and most direct Gus
toner. The American manufacturer pur-
chases his farm supplies almost cxcu-
uring estuhis hmcnts tend steadily to mi
CRATE into tie heart of the great asri-
cultural districts. Tho center of the manu-
featuring industry in 1900 was near the
middle of Ohio, moving westward thirty
mile In every decade, and this moVemen
Is invariably accompanied by a marked
increase in the value of farm lands. Farm
values will continue to increase as the
partnership between manufacturer and
farmer grows more intimate. The manu-
facturer never could have placed the ma
nations of the world if he had not had
behind him, resources of the farm.
Reversal of Policy Disastrous.
Here and there may be an equal sharing
in the benefits by projections but benefits
have come, and d reversal in policy would
mean damage: The underlying principle
OF protection has worked out results so
beneicent, SO advantageous alike to farm
ers. capitalists and workingmen, that the
American people will insist that when
modified with the utmost care and con-
servatsm, and by the friends and not
the enemies Of the system.
Let me add word of agreement with
me policy Of including within the bene-
hts the American merchant marine. It
is not creditable to us that our great ex
port and import trade should be we'll
nigh exclusively in the hands of foreign
ers.
1t is difficult to know if our opponents
are sincere in their demand for the re-
no need for comment, and if sincere what
shall we say of an appeal to reduce an
army of sixty-thousand men which Is
taking care of the interests of over eighty
~ smaller than in the days of Washing
ton or of Jefferson. There is now one
soldier to every fourteen hundred people.
We cannot be asked seriously to argue as
to the amount of possible tyranny con-
tanned in these figures The army Is as
small as it can possibly be and serve its
purpose as an effective nucleus in time
of need. 1t is now used. as never before,
for aiding in the upbulding of the organ
.zed militia of the country. If our oppo-
nents should come into power they could
its efficiency. They would either have to
treat this particular promise as they now
treat the promises of 1896 and 1900, rs pos
sessing no birding force. or else to en-
crous and fraught with danger to the ma
ton.
Our opponents contend that the govern
nent is eXtravagant. and that whereas
there was surplus of SS0,O00,000 in 1900,
there Is now deficit of more than $40
600, 600.
Deficit Is Imaginary.
This deficit is imaginary, obtained by
including in expenses the $4,000, 900 paid
for the Panama canal. Comparing the
ordinary expenditures for the two years
there was surplus of nearly sSO,OOO0 900 for
1860, and of only a little more than IS, OO0-
GOO for the year just closed. This dinin-
ution was brought about by the abolition
of the war taxes. The acts OF March Q,
1901 and Al April o y 1902 cut down Internal
with Spain there has been no substantial
change in the rae OF annual expenditures.
AS compared with the fiscal year ending
~ June lJol Tor example, the fiscal year
that has just closed showed a small In
crease in expenditure, while the year pre-
viouS showed a small decrease
The expenditures have been managed in
spirit of economy, consistent with gef-
ticicncy. The prime reason why expenses
have increased is that the people have
deemed 1t wise to have certain new forms
of work for the public undertaken by the
public. as rural free delivery, inspection
of meats. or irrigation. But these are
necessary. Do our opponents grudge the
$50, CO,OcO paid for the canal? Do they in
tend to cut down on pensions? Do they
intend to stop irrigation? or the perma-
nent census bureau? immigration inspec-
ton? or rural free delivery? TO cut down
the navy? or the Alaskan telegraph sys-
tenn Do they intend to dismantle our
coast Notifications?
The public work has never been con-
Quoted with a higher deg zee of hnnestv