Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-19
The Latest Tariff Vindieation.

The latest bulletin Of the census bu-
1eau just issued offers figures which
show in a striking way the increase in
American manufactured exports, and
are splendid vindication Of the pro-
tective principle which the Republican
party has always stoutly defended
The value of manufactured goods ex-
ported from the United States during
the fiscal year ended June 80, was
s543,620,297. against s452,415,921 in
1904, the next largest year. In 1895
the v3lue of manufactured exports was
s1S3, 595,743. The increase in ten years
has thus been practically threefold. As
far back as 1873 the figures were $123-
sO7, 1876, and in the seventeen years to
1895 they increased but $4,000. 900. In
1896 commenced the great rise. and al
though there have been temporary re-
cessions, tie total has risen until now
the percentage of manufactured ex-
ports is 80 per cent. of the total ex-
ports, against the former rate of less
than 20 per cent. Since the country
was put some 80 years ago upon the
protective tariff in a position to send
abroad surplus manufactured products
cur expectation Of manufactures hes
increased from about 800, 900 :
year to s55O.OOO,OOO.
Last year. our greatest gains were
along the line of iron and steel manu-
features. a class Of goods which is
particularly well protected. The en-
ports in these advanced from 1,94S,-
5S6 in 1904 to s134.727,921 in 1906
steel rails and locomotives having
gained 100000 each in the year: in
cotton goods, which advanced from
s22.4O3,713 in 1904 20 si9.666, $50 in 1906
more than 100 per cent; and in slCr
distinctly industrial items as manu-
features of brass and zinc, brick, &C.
;ncnt, glassware. India rubber goods
leather and paints and oils. In dis
cussing this showing the New York
Mail says:
1.-THE case of cotton goods alone is a
sufficient proof that protection las IN
abled us to take the position toward
which our material advantages pointed
from the first, that of the maker-up of
cur national products for the use of
the world. 1t is needless to say that if
|anythinE like this last years increase
in cotton goods should be maintained
we shall soon be not only growing the
worlds cotton, but manufacturing for
all tho world the cloth made from it,
Another New York paper. the Globe,
which speaks for the great commercial
interests of the city. says:
"The figures for 1905 are calculated
to strengthen the position of those who
say we do not need to alter our tariff
laws. either by reciprocity treaties or
direct revision. to force open new mar
kets for our manufactured goods. With
manufactured exports $4,000 900 larg-
cr in 1905 than in any previous year it
is futile to say that our trade is sick
and needs additional stimulus. At tie
pltotJil Idte Oh IICItdSt IL VIII not De
long until the shipments Of manufac-
lures abroad exceed in value the ship
ments of agricultural products. II is
noteworthy that the 1905 exparsi IN
was secured without the dumping"
which contributed so much a few years
ago to swelling the total, and there is
thus more assurance that we are to hold
what We have gained. The workshop
OF the wOrid-we are not far away
from it,