Norwich bulletin., 1912-10-16
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Free Trade, Child of Idle Slave Owners

MT. Editor: The first time the dem- ocratic party had full control of the government in all its branches since the civil war was March 4, 1893. Up to March 8, 1875, from March 4, 1881, the republican party had full control of the executive and both branches of congress, and during that period the civil war was carried on and ended. Slavery was abolished. The union was preserved. A tremendous army was disbanded and returned to peaceful pursuits. The homestead law was passed. The department of agriculture was created. Agricultural and indus trial colleges were provided for by national aid. Alaska was acquired. The return of specie payments was provided for. The connection of the far east and the far west by trans- continental railroads was inaugurated and the development of the great west commenced. The system of build ing up American industries by the aid of a protective tariff was deter mined upon and carried into effect.
 As soon as the democrats obtained control of congress Qower house) in 1875 up to the fourth of March, 1897, 22 years Gin which the republicans were only in control of the lower house three times). the democratic policy of obstruction, penny-wise, pound-fool- legislation commenced and continued in an unbroken manner. The only safeguard to American industries and prosperity being a republican presi- dent and republican senate. After the advance agent of prosperity started his administration of progress March 4 1207 m tn " a the republicans lost control of the lower house of congress, the rapid strides made in this country have been something unheard of in the worlds history. The population in- creased to over 92,000,000, national wealth increased s4e,000, 900 900 over and above what it was in 1900. Pub lie school expenditures were just dou- bled in ten years.
 Savings bank, deposits increased from $2,3S9. .o00,0oo in 1900 to s4,070, ,000, 900 In 1910 and to make this great increase just 3,035.000 new depositors were add ed to the six million who already had money in savings banks.
 One of the greatest items in Amer ican progress was the increase in amount of capital invested in manu- featuring. In 1900 the amount of money used in that Way was $S,97S,- 900, ,000; in 1910. just ten years of com plete unobstructed republican rule, with a protective tariff to foster in- fant industries and stand between old
 ones and competition with pauper labor of the east, this vast amount had more than doubled. or. to be ex- act, s1S,237. 100000 of capital was used in manufacturing, and more than twice as many men employed, at 2 3-4 per
 cent. higher wages than ten years earlier. Do Ysp feel like making a From 1900 to 1910. the material con-
 stunned in manufactures had increased
 from ,577.000,000 to $11,675,0 100000
 and to use up this vast material the
 number of hands employed had in-
 creased from 5,079,000 to 7,S99,000
 These figures are all from the census reports and are correct.
 While this great change was going on, farm lands and buildings had more i than doubled in value, the increase in land value alone was S15, ,O0O, ,O00. .OOC and in buildings S2,73S, 100000. Farm 1 implements and machinery was alsC 1 five thousand millions of dollars great | CT than at the earlier period Does : the farmer want a change? l think not.
 The exports from our country in. l creased more than seven hundred mil l lions of dollars and the last year end. i Ing June 50 the exports were more i than a thousand millions of dollars under the much talked about Payne i Aldrich tariff law. l could go on anC l on stating statistical facts that provt 1 our country Is enjoying the greates prosperity dreamed of, but what Il
 the use, when you each and all kItpv | that such is the case, and the onl. thing offered by the democratic part, is "a change" or Wilson. that's all There is no denying the fact tha the Underwood congress disclosed it hand of destruction early in the day and you who read and understan should join in warning others agains enemies of progress and prosperity