The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-08-02
DEFECTS OF THE FREE-TRADEs
EcLIPsE..ssss

EcLIPsE..sssS
Extracts from article entitled i
5sa.Why first voters should be Protec-
tionists," printed in Daily Congress
sional Record, January ~, 1901 $50
In the light OF the evidence pre-
sented no student Of the question VIII
I be deceived for moment by the
charge that protectionists> oprost. TIE
extension of foreign trade or that the
| effect of the policy has been to re-
strict its growth. The more The.
young voter investigates the suojec.
the more thoroughly he will be coz.
vinced that it is only by strict atten-
ton to the development of orr re-
| sources that wee can hope SIC. attain
a position in the commercial world
analogous to that once held by Great
Britain.
The assertion has been repeatedly
made that advocates of protective
tariff are hostile to external corr
merce; that they desire to build
Chinese wall about the country and
exclude themselves from the comfy
of Nations. The rank absurdtty' OF
the charge is at once made manifest
by an examination of the tariff
schedules prepared by the protection
lists, which provide the free admis-
sion of all classes of articles which we
are incapable of profitably producing.
for ourselves.
American .protectionists are not OPP
posed to foreign trade; they earnestly
encourage it's growth, but they eH-
pect it to develop along lines that
will not interfere with the develop
ment of American industry. They
seek to promote the free interchange
of non-competing products. They be-
1ieve that ''by sensible trade arrange
ments which will not interrupt our
home production we shall extend the
outlet for our increasing surplus"
The country, under protectionist
auspices, has for years been acting
upon this sensible plan When those
who have framed protective sched- |
uIes have found that tariffs were no
longer needed for revenue Or ID en-
courage and protect our industries
at home, they have been removed |
That is the consistent history Of Re-
publican tariff legislation, and tie re-
suits are visible in a constantly III
creasing volume of imports and ex-
ports.
The imputation of motives to pro-
tectionists which they never enter
tanned has tended to cloud the minds
Of professional economists, bit it has
never for moment interfeced with
the tendency of the system to refute
their assertions. While free traders
have amused themselves talking about
he protection wall reared about the
United States the external comm rcc
If the country has grown at rate
which makes the growth OF British
rade seem snail-like.
In 1870 imports into the United
States were valued at $780, 900;
n 1902 they had increased to $685.
100000. During the same period the
exports increased from s376,000, 0u0
o s1,355 100000. British imports
which were s125.0Oo,oOO in 1870 were
'alue dat s2,21O,Ooo,0OO in 1902. while
he exports rose from 971,0GC 900 to
i 800, 600, 900. The total value of the
trade of the United States
vas sS12 100000 in 1870, and in 1902
t was s2,25S, 100000. In the same pc
iod British external trade increased
rom 23O,OOO,O0O to S3,573 ,OO0,0 900.
he foreign trade of the United
states increased 100000, while
hat of the United Kingdom showed
n enlargement of only s1,243, 100000.
These comparisons will serve TO {
mphasize the denial that protection
ends to eXclusiveness, for they show 1
hat the United States, which has the I
equation of being nearly self q
uHcing Nation, has actually in. l
reased it's dealings, both absolutely +
nd relatively, with the outside world
lore rapidly than Great Britain I
otoriously dependent country, COM /
elled by lack of raw materials and u
Efficient food supply to draw upon 0
oreigners or go out Of the business
f manufa curing for export. t
F-avinS thus disposed of the stupid :.
that it is the purpose of ~
to make a hermit Ma =
on of the United States, it may be y
ldicious to explain that Willie they ~
o not desire to discourage rational
Internal trade, they believe that the
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