Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-21

Anaberry, Ohio Observation-Disclosures.
Stanley, Kentucky ....................
lawyers. as have the highest regard for
the legal profession, and would feel the
same toward a committee made up OF
members of any one business or profess
sion, but as they have little to do with
business except to give advice on Legal
questions, prepare articles of incorpora-
ton, draw contracts or leases and pros
ecute or defend, when litigation is neces-
sary. 1 submit that it is an entirely I'M
fair committee to prepare without some
advice from other business men tariff
bill so sweeping in it's effect. And yet
the dominant party entrusted to lawyers
and lawyers only, the preparation OF
schedules which vitality effect every bust
ness interest of the country. Is it any
wonder that the law proved a failure.
that it wrecked prosperity and created
havoc in practically every line of bust
ness? 1t could not be otherwise. Even
its language was SO incorrect and I'M
certain that the administration and tho
courts have difficulty in constituting it's
provisions. This we do know, that while
it struck deadly blow to the farmers
of Maine and industries of New England
it did maintain duty on most products
of the South, as stated in a previous par
agraph. We know that it has been the
Democratic politicians in Congress from
the Southern states who have done the
mischief. 1t is unfortunately true that
these men are for the most part politi-
clans and nothing more. Most of them
have had no experience in any other In
dustry than law, or law-making, and
many of them have been in Congress or
some political office so long that they
have acquired sort of contemptuouS
feeling toward the industrial affairs by
which the great majority of their fellow
men must live The business men of the
South have not been fairly represented in
Congress. Their interests and their wish
es are not different from those of the
business men of the North ard West
and these Southern business men have
been injured, and know that they are in
jured by the dominance of the politicians
of their sections and they are, for the
most part, in entire sympathy with the
policies of the business men throughout
the country to put an end to these dan
gerous conditions.
The question of the tariff is not so blind
and intricate as it is generally supposed.
but explained briefly, it amounts to this
AS we purchase goods abroad, the for
eigner has the money, we have the goods;
if purchased in this country. we have
the goods and the money too. A certain
quantity of merchandise is necessary to
supply the needs of our people. If these
goods are produced or manufactured
abroad it detracts just so much from the
business of our own country. AS a SIM
pie illustration, let us assume that it re-
quires annually 100,OOo,000 pairs of shoes
to supply the needs of the American peo-
pie. If any part of these are manufac-
tured abroad it lessons the opportunity
for labor in our own country; robs the
working man of employment which is
rightfully his; discourages manufacture
ing; paralyzes industry. If the shoes
are manufactured here. it gives employ
livens commerce; adds to the prosperity
of the whole country. This one example
will suffice, as it is applicable to all man.
ufactured goods and the products of the
farmer as well.
l have discussed this subject at consid-
cradle length, with the hope that l might
create renewed interest in the necessity
for protection. For 1t the farmers of
Maine wish to have a reasonable advan-
tage in the American market. so that
they may maintain and advance their in
dustries in the face of the conditions
throughout the world, which l have re-
ferred to, they will find it necessary to
demand the repeal Of the Democratic
tariff and result to the protective pol
icy of the Republican party, under which
they were rapidly advancing toward the
goal of assured and lasting prosperity.