Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-28

which the arrangements were enter
ed into. -.
L Republican reciprocity has been
indorscd in "a number Of Republican
platforms.
The bill is class legislation of the
most obnoxious character 1t singles
out from all the bcneficiarics of tariff
legislation the farmer. Everything
he produces is put upon the free list
everything he buys is protected aru-
Gle. His corn and wheat and pota-
toes his hay and oats. his live stock
are all on the free list. His farm
wagon, his pillow. his harrow, his reap
or. his thrashing machine are all
taxed. Everything in the shape Of
meats and foods of all kinds are on
the dutiablc list. True, farm
products are INTERCHANGEABLE free be-
tween the United States and Canada,
but every sane man knows that this is
intended to open up not the Canadian
market to the United States farmer
but the higher priced American mar
ket to the Canadian farmer. And
the farmer is to get nothing. The
to the United States at the sacrifice OF
his interests for which he pays. are
in the shape OF new markets for the
manufacturer. There are only two
American manufactnres of any eonse-
quence involved in the. agreement
The paper manufacturer whose inter-
ests are absolutely sacrificed. and the
Harvester Trust. which has a factory
in Canada to supply its customers
there. The american manufacturer
in general needs no lowering of duties
to enter the Canadian market The
Canadian is naturally. and can not If
he would, avoid being our customer
The trade statistics already cited
furnish conclusive proof to that cf-
feet Every tariff law of either party
for the last so years has recognized
the farmers right to protection equal
ly with every other class
The strongest ground for protest is
that it is one sided and not rccipro-
call that it is all give" and no
take" and the farmers are called |
upon to furnish the ante. The Nc
Call bill as it passed the House pro- |
poses to give s5,000.000 in revenue |
every year in exchange for s2,500,000, |
American dollars are good enough for |
us. but we propose to swap them for |
Canadian half dollars
The opponents in the National |
House of1the bill say:
I'D 1t reneWS trade agreement |
with Canada similar to one that here
tofore existed from 1854 to 1866. and |
the operation of which proved dis
aStrous TO the United States.
las a business proposition it is
wholly indefenSible. Advantages UNI I
der il will accrue to Canada without
any corresponding advantages to the
United States. 1t is uncalled for by |
any great body of our people.
"(e) 1t is Republican. 1t pro-.
poses reciprocity in competing prod
lcts. which is absolutely inconsistent
with the policy of protection. 1t is
an abandonment of the protective
policy 1t is in violation of the his
DRY, the traditions. and the platforms
If the Republican party.
"t3) 1t is class legislation of the
most obnoxious character. 1t selects
rom out all the classes of our com
nunity the farmer and deprives him
# the protection accorded to all other
lasses. 1t compels him to produce
II free-trade market and to buy in
| protected market. II is in the in
crest of the foreigner and against the
The same undue haste
hat has characterized the treatment
IL TINS bill here seems 10 have pre-
'aiied also in the Canadian Parla-
nent."