American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper., 1846-07-13
Amrritou RepmbIttan,
AND
BALTIMORE CLIPPER.
MONDAY MORNING, July 10 1916.

REDUCTION OF WAGES. One direct effec,
which must result from the passage of the new
Tariff bill, will be the reduction of the waprs oil
operatives; an effect exactly the opposite Of
what has been supposed by many persons
European manufactures of every description
will be brought into the country ia the greatest
abundance and at the very lowest prioes.-
These must suPPlant and entirely destroy the
domestic manufacture, unless corresponding
reduction in the price of the latter be also made,
which will have to be done. The burthen Of
this reduction will fall upon the employer and
the employed. The former will have to be
content with less profit, and the latter with less
wages. 1t being the interest of the f,regn
manufacturer 10 obtain a monopoly of tho
American market, his goods will be sold at the
lowest possible prices-in many instances less
than the actual cost of manufacture; because.
being refuse goods and out of fashion in Europe.
he will be glad to fnd market here even at n
sacrifice.
We think that many operatives will soon be
made sensible, that they have pursued suici-
dal policy in advocating a reduction of the ex-
'stIng Tariff. 1t has put money in their purses
and bread in their mouths; whereas the new
Tariff will deprive them of labor excepting at
such low rates as will not afford them COM |
Portable subsistence. To the wealthy man of
nxed and regular income, the change in the
Tariff can be OF little injury, in comparison Of
that which il will inflict upon the poorer classes
OF citizens. This was shewn in 1912, when the
Tariff was low and goods cheap. How was it
then with the laboring classes? Had thew full
employment and at fair prices1 No. MANY
OF theG were out Of employment, and without
the means supporting themselves and families.
The new Tariff law was passed, and its bene-
ficial influence was Immediately felt throughout
the land. Confidence and prosperity were ro-
stored The idle were employed at fair COM ,
pensatlon, and comfort and happiness were
again found at what had been the dcsolate fire. ,
side. Prudence would have dictated adherence r
to policy which produced such beneficial 70.
suits; but unfortunately prudence was not co,- =,
suited 1t was resolved that the experiment
Which had been accompanied by such disastrous
should be repeated, and from the
alse pretext that, being at war, it was neces- y
'ary to produce additional revenue. 1t is wen u
known that the public revenue declined with %
The progressive reduction of duties under the ~
act; and that, at the time of the :,
nactment of the existing Tariff the treasury ~
vas empty, and the credit of the government
elo~ par. Reckless politicians have, how "
yer, determined that American interests shall -.
e again sacrificed, and those Of foreign coun- w
ries promotedi and unless the Senate have the Cp'
atriotism to arrest the measure as they did ue'
he head-long course in reference TO oregon. 0'i
We are destined once more to see public credit o@'
rostrated-private industry and enterprise -
aralyzed-and the laboring classes reduced to ''''
overly. We call upon those who are exult.
lg in anticipation of the passage of the new say
arf bill, to mark we'll the result of the meo- ole
ire, should it go into operation. pm