[Newspaper]
Publication: The Marysville Tribune
Marysville, OH, United States
vol. 27, no. 1, p. 4, col. 3
PORCELAIN EXPORTS
For some years the Press has been calling attention to the growth and importance of the pottery interests in the United States, demonstrating the value of an industry to the whole country (and to all classes), all the materials for which are found at home. Under the caption, “America as an Exporter of Crockery,” we pointed out that, having all the elements here, it might soon prove that we would cease to import and begin to supply other countries with American China. We were not aware at the time that what we ventured as a prognostication, based upon general principles, was already an accomplished fact. It is, therefore, with the greatest pleasure that we announce that in one line of porcelain we already meet and compete with the English in their colonial markets. At the extensive Union Porcelain Works at Greenpoint, N. Y., a full variety of porcelain knobs and hardware trimmings are made, as well as other chinaware for the title. When these works began, the price of certain knobs was $12 per 1,000, but the competition between the New York and the Trenton makers has now forced the price down to less than $3 per thousand. Thus the protective tariff, which encouraged these manufacturers to enter upon the business, has cheapened the products to the consumer, while at the same time all collateral industries are benefited. Real estate owners, farmers, coal operators and railway interests; in fact, the whole State participate in the advantages conferred by the establishment and maintenance of home industries.
England began by an absolute prohibition of the importation of china, and conferred honors — well deserved — upon Wedgewood, who was the creator, almost, of the great business of potting in his own country. England’s tariff was not taken off till within a comparatively few years; not, indeed, till she found she had no need of it. Now that she is encircled by a practically prohibitory tariff, she asserts the spacious but delusive policy of free trade, and wheedles the strong, and coerces the weak nations to adopt a policy which can bring grist only to her mill.
A tariff in this country diffuses its beneficial influences all over the State; for no sooner is a new industry established and proved profitable at one point than competing establishments start up in other localities, and a commercial cut-throat course entered upon, so that the nation is doubly and trebly benefitted by its establishment.
If Europe has honored Bottger, Pallisy and Wedgewood, and reflected credit upon herself by so doing, we should honor and protect our potters and their trade.—Philadelphia Press
