Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-11-11
A Point Usually Overlooked.

'"fhe superficial student of the tariff
question overlooks the fact that protec-
ton has other beneficial purposes be-
sides the one usually northumberland OF
building UP our industries; and too many
wonld-be teachers imagine they are
striking a crushing blow when they
amilingly ask: How long must these
giant infants receive the pap of protcc-
tom" He who so questions merely ad-
Vertises his own Ignorance. That anes-
ton has been repeatedly asked by sim
liar, and properly forgotten. politicians
from the time this government was
formed; and one of the great men of
this country has left an answer so com
plete that ] viii read it. In his thiro
annual message to Congress, on Dec Z,
1879. President Monroe, claimed by the
Democrats, made this statement:
THE great reduction in the price of
the principal articles of domestic
growth and the consequent fall in the
price of labor mote that even then il
was recognized that cheap prices meant
low wages, apparently so favorable to
the success of domestic manufacture,
have not shielded them against other
causes adverse to their prosperity.
Foreign manufactures, for want of n
ready or profitable market at home,
have been shipped by their manufac-
turera Ia the United States. and in many
instances sold at II price below their
current value at the place of m;ulufac-
tire. Although this practice may from
its nature be considered temporary or
contingent, ii is not on that account less
injurious in its effects, Uniformity in the
demand and price of an article is hgh-
ly desirable to the domestic manufac-
turer. 1t is deemed of great importance
to give encouragement to our dome site
manufactures.
Within Il I2-month after he made this
ringing declaration the people Of the
United States showed their appreciation
Of such sentiments by according him the
unparalleled honor of "a reelection by
the vote Of every state in the Union
Guards Our Industries.
Monroe saw where protection does
this secondary and vastly important
work-that of guarding our Industries
against evils which result from permit
ting competitors to use this country for
:; dumping ground. The principle IN
VOWED is perfectly wel.-known TO bt,si-
ness men. II a manufactures has n mar
ket sufficient to keep It's mill running
10 months IN the year. ii is better for
him, and iinmeasureably better far his
employees, to keep that factory running
the year round even 1hoc sh he has to
dispose OF those two-m6nihS surplus
products al cost, or even Mt IA price a
little under The average cOt Of produce
ton, because he thus keeps his force of
associated employees tosether, and his
employees escape the exp anse of moving
from place To place and producing that
depressing effect upon wages which al
ways results where two men are look
ing for one job.
During the 10 months of his regular
employment he must ines1Ide in the cost
account of manufacture the interest on
money invested i'll his Plant, taxes GER
tain other overhead charges and n
percentage for depreeati,>n-o he
must fail; but since these items or eS-
pense must be met just the same even
if he does shut down his plant for two