Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1888 — THE TRIFF QUESTION. [ARTICLE]

THE TRIFF QUESTION.

DiacuMed from Free Trade and Pro tefe tiro Standpoint* by Tonug Men. Here is what might be called a little amateur talk ori the tariff. Two young gentlemen of Ti fiilo were discussing the tariff from the freetrada ami protective standpoints respettivoly. •"Why,” argued the free trade advocate, ‘.•I can go to England mid get a broadcloth suit made for liiySeir'Tiet’JgU than I can get here, and, Ai’O for it. to- .Would cost me $55 here at the least estimate. A stiff hat that I have tOjjny f 5 for here, I can get (or $2 in "And how about the cnapsjtliat make the dress-suit and the hat?” *" ■E "They're as well off as workmen ir\ this country. Everything they want is correspondingly as cheap. They don’t save as much, but it is } l>ecau:u: they spend their mpney for amusements and take holidays,, and set a good table. There is no such thing as paltper labor in English towns. There is no pian -who is not able to get work if he is ’capable and worthy." The protectionist had rot been there, had not seen it. and did not know, and looked rather feeble and debilitated at thik formidable array of facts. He could to only inquire: . . “Do-you mi an to say that a laborer lives as well and gets as much aikl as good eat in England as here?'’ “Certainly Ji do. The best kind Of fare. There’s Bill mowing our dawn. He’s from the old country. ■ We’ll ask him.” Bill was impressively marshaled and fixed with the inquiry: "JhH, when you were in the old country. what did you usually have for dinner?” . ‘ "What did umkave for dinner?” “Yes.” : ’ . ’ ' . “Us a had a piece of bread and a hunk Roars and shrieks of laugh h-r from the protectionists, and a solemn look of protest from the free, trader. / , “Us had 4 shillin's a week wages, and I’d like to see you find one that had meat from week's end to week's'end through a whole season. But cheese is a’most the healthiest, diet, I ever known of,” continued Bill with a grim attempt at .palliation. It will be observed that the debate bn behalf of protection was not conducted . with any great amount of’ brilliancy or ability. But facts will .tell.—l'oiedb Commercial.