Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-08-12
SOME OF THE EVILS OF
PROTECTION.

will not permanently settle the tariff
question. Aldrich, as the representa-
tive of big selfish interests, looms up
large through it all; and Aldrich is not
loved by the people. The insurgent
Republicans who joined with the low
tariff Democrats and v Ted against the
passage of the bill have endeared them
selves to the hearts Of their cOuntrymen,
A very encouraging sign Of the times is
the growing number Of Republicans
who demand lower tariff taxes Nearly
all Of the exchanges which came to the
Democrat Office formerly published a
vast amount Of matter landing protec-
ton as the greatest source Of prosperity.
A contrary opinion only came from
Democratic newspapers; and they were
few and far between. But all this is
changed. Open any paper at random,
and scan its editorial columns, and you
will find little or no protective tariff
sophisms; hut, on the other hand. you
will generally find some of the manifold
evils of tariff taxation for trusts de-
nOunced in good hard words.
The Milwaukee Journal takes the
present occasion to present as follows
some thoughts on protection which are
well worth reading and remembering:
The extra session Of congress is over
and the whole history of its tariff dis
CussiOns and decision is before the pub
lie. By this time it will have become
apparent to all ordinary students Of the
subject
/. That protection directly increases
the prices of all protected articles and
Indirectly, those of many other pro-
ducts.
2. That protection adds profit, gain
or advantage to the business of protect
ed industries
3. That on all protected products the
consumer pays tax as on the like i'm
ported product up to the limit of i'm
portation.
4. That from the imported product
only does the government receive any
revenue to Tighten the burden of the
taxpayer.
5. That on all protected home pro
ducts the consumer pays a tax as on the
like imported product, but pays it to
the protected interest and not to the
government.
6. That all increased prices, profit,
gain or advantage accruing to the pro
tected industries must be paid for by
the consumer
7. That protection does not directly
increase the price of labor as it does of
the protected product, and is an elusive
and uncertain factor in raising wages.
8. That protection aids all mOnOpO
liZing tendencies and. in many cases,
creates or perpetuates mOnopOlies.
9. That protection is hard upon in
dustrial producers, as opposed to one
another, and no tariff law can be enact
ed save by log rolling and by cOmbina
tons of interests to help each other to
stand against public opinion for their
self interests,
10. That the greed for protection is
such as to overcome and dominate the
politics of the country, to control par
ties and to create power behind legis
latiOn and the course of justice as great
or greater than that of the people.
IL. That there is no just or moral de-
Tense for taking by law the money or
labor of the consumer and passing it in
to the hands of favored producers with
ont service rendered to the government
or the consumer.
II. That high prices are not valid
evidences of prosperity in business,
good living by the people, or justice and
comfort to the labOrer.
10. That whatever profit or advan-
tage may be gained by the protection of
some must be paid for by others less
able to bear the burden.
IA. That when a protected American
product is sold in foreign markets
cheaper than the same article is sold for
at home, it is the foreigner who is pro
tected by our law, and that, too, at the
cost of the American consumer.
Is. That if all are protected alike
there can be no advantage to any; if
not alike protected some are oppressed,
being compelled to do for others with
out due recompense.
Is. That while all are consumers,
consumption is not in proportion to
wealth; hence those of less wealth pay
more than their share of the cost or
protection and thus tend to poverty,
while the wealthy more easily grow
richer.
L. That labor is not protected from
the competition of the world and can
only enforce its demand on the pro-
tected industries for adequate wages by
voluntary combinations and often at
the cost of strikes.
IS. That the exclusion of skilled
labor, the taxing of art and the results
of study or auy means of culture and
intelligence, tends to impoverish the
nation and reduce its productive power
in comparison with other nations
10. That any extensive system of
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