Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1888 — The Absolutely Protected Industries. [ARTICLE]

The Absolutely Protected Industries.

The industry and adroitness of those who have undertaken to force upon the United States the British system of free foreign trade are worthy of a hetter cause, A favorite practice of these men has been pointing to certain trades not exposed to foreign competition, and citing the comparatively high wages paid in tljem as an argument, for withdrawing protection from all industries.

While it is true that wages paid to carpenters, masons,.house painters, blacksmiths, etc.,, are high as,, and in many instances higher than wages paid workmen in a majority of the mamufucturing industries, the deception practiced by free traders lies in their claim that the class of mechanics named are not protected because their trades are not enumerated in tariff laws, The fact is they are protected by uat. -aml-oonditions Htroiiger ihan any law of Congress, and it is in consequence of this absolute protection that they ’Rre enabled to demand and secure better pay. Bricklaying, carpentery, house-paintiDg and tinning cannot be done in foreign countries and houses be brought here ready for occupancy. Nobody knows this better than the free trade attorneys, else they would be found quite as strenuous for free houses as they are for free ships, free wool and free lumber. The village blacksmith is absolutely protected by the donditions which render it impossible for the farmer to send his horse abroad to be shod, or his wagon or plow to be repaired, otherwise the vigilant free trade advocate would not long permit his protection to stand unassailed.

However adequately defended against foreign competition in these particular lines of work they may be, the class of mechanics referred to cannot afford to pverlook the importance to themselves of securing adequate protection to all other industries. Every man in the country kept steadily and contentedly employed in some other industry lessens the danger from over crowding in the naturally protected trades. Every dollar kept in the country which, under a free trade policy would go abroad, enables somebody to spend that much more money, which may go into building or repairing houses, shoeing horses, or some similar work necessarily done by mechanics at or near home. These in turn will have the additional dollar to pay the farmer for bread, the gardener for fruit or vegetables, or to otherwise spend for family comfort or convenience. Thus it is that the maintenance of our protective policy appeals directly to those voters whom the promoters of free trade are seeking to enlist m their vrork of repealing existing tariff laws with a view to replacing them with laws dictated in the interest of England, a nation at once envions of our growing wealth and jealous of our greatness among the nations of the earth. Our workingmen, of all others, should avoid becoming supporters of free trade, through either the flattery or deceptions of its advocates.