Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 June 1892 — Protection and Invention. [ARTICLE]

Protection and Invention.

Free-Traders tell us that our Wonderful industrial growth is due to our inventions and labor-sav-ing machineryAs usual, they put the cart before the%orse. It is our American system of

Protection that creates and develops industries, giving onr masses work and wages, comforts and homes, education and ambition. This stimulatesmventive genius, aud when new devices are planned and perfected there is use for them of nr ,„ a - - ; 4 arr onc6i —— Thousands of pairs of boots and shoes are daily made in Massachusetts by machinery, giving employment to thousands of workmen at good wages. We export largely to England, where labor is much cheaper than in this country. TTfep The United States leads in in. patents being granted here as in Great Britain.

During our Free-Trade period, from 1846 to 1860, the total number of patents granted was 26,234. From 1861 to 1875 the number granted was 127,345, and from 1875 to 1889 the number was 236, -95£L ’ The greatest number issued’ in any one year prior to 1862 was 4 819,while now we issue annually from 25,000 to 30,000. The result is a cheapening of th e[product, increased consumption and greater demand for labor at good wages. Protection does not make geniuses, but it does make the opportunity, it improves the mind, stimulates the intellect and rewards the inventor.

Wherever the influence of a P rotective Tariff has been greatest, there invention has progressed most rapidly. The result is sating in cost of production and greater prosperity for tbe masses of the people. * ;