The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-06-04
SMITH MAKES MAIDEN SPEECH
The Junior Palmetto Toga Wearer
Expresses His Faith in a Free
Trade Policy.

er the American working man, Oena-
tor Smith, Of South Carolina, unequi-
vocally expressed his faith in a free
trade policy in an extended speech
while the cotton schedule was under
consideration in the senate today.
1.-The whole tendency Of this legis-
lation has been to cheaper the raw
material and raise the price Of the
finished article,' said Mr.. Smith,
"thereby giving to the protected
manufacturer a double advantage, les
sening the price of what he has to
buy and raising the price of what he
has to sell.
II am not pleading for, nor shall
vote for, protection for the raw
material. I believe a thing is worth
what it Will bring in the open markets
Of the world. What I shall vote
against is the UBIQUITOUS and indefen-
sible system of legislating a profit by
artificial methods. I believe that
American skill and the wonderful me-
ohanical devices operated by steam,
water and electricity, our nearness to
the source Of supply for the raw ma
terial makes it possible for US to COM
pete with the nations Of the world. I"
Senator Smith said it was absolute
ly idle to talk about the protective
tariff being a benefit to the cotton and
grain growers Of America. In sup
port Of his position, Mr.. Smith quoted,
though not by name, Pleading man
ufacturer of the South" " who, he said
had told him that he believed it was
right and just that the protective fea-
ture of the tariff on cotton goods
should be entirely wiped out. The pro
lection of the government, asserted
Mr.. Smith, giving such a margin OF
profit, has invited and brought into
the cotton manufacturing business "a
lot Of financial buccaneers and plug
ers, who, by the marvellous profits
the could be figured, possibly on
paz,r. put on foot impossible schemes
which have resulted disastrously to
the milling industry Of the country. -
He said that what is true Of the cot
ton industry is largely true OF every
other manufacturing industry.
"The monstrous injustice Of this
bill is made in two particulars con-
tinued Mr.. Smith. ''This bill declar-
es that it is for the purpose OF en-
oouraging America industries and
guaranteeing to them reasonable
profit, while on the other hand, IN
sharp contrast with it in the bill, is
incorporated tax on the very Ter
tilizing element upon which the agrl-
cultural laborer is dependent for the
enrichment of his soil. This ammon-
ia, or this nitrogenous element that
is so costly and so essential IN the
production Of this crop, must be tax
ed because Of a few coke and gas com
panies. who, already protected and
making their millions, cannot be de-
MED the privilege Of making other
millions out Of that which the govern
ment ought to see that the farmer gets
at the lowest possible price" "
During the course of his speech
Mr.. Smith read some interesting hg-
rres to bear out his contention that
the protective tariff worked a hard
ship upon the people Of the South,
who had to pay most severely tor the
prosperity enjoyed by the manufac-
turers. The eleven cotton growing
States last year produced $716,352,-
265 worth of raw cotton, he said and
s9O,OO0,OOO worth Of cotton seed.
This cotton they had to put upon the
market at a price fixed by Liverpool
That price was fixed in Liverpool up
on the basis of the cost OF labor IN
Europe and the price at WHICH 'ney
sold the finished product.
"Therefore, the whole American
cotton crop is sold upon the basis OF
free trade,'' said Senator Smith, $50
that. in the cotton growing States, ac-
.cordine to the census figures Of l9OO,
there are engaged in agricultural pur-
suits 100000 people, and there aV-
erage earnings for the year are $780,
900.
"Taking the outcome duties on ar
ticles imported, such as are used on
the farms. there are consumed about
s66,357.OOO worth. Taking the con,
sumption Of domestic manufactured
goods. the proportionate part OF the
South is s2,SS5.OO0,o0O. The indirect
tax paid on this consumption. due TO
,,,.o+oc+;on is 1885,. 100000. Now this