The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-11-16
Tn. Protsctiya sx.tem.

cter of the measures which the wings will propose
III. most prominent of these is put forth by the ''ulua
biysp for we are to have various designations Of
ooricians, such ultra wings, (or wings proper }
,,brs, moderately no-party wings, and Mr. Claytons
sv mosaic Taylor republicans" Tor republican wings,
=, whig repubcans) The presses of the Simon Pure
ultra wings are pressing repeal OF the tariff of 1916 and
h restoration of the tariff of 1912. These developments
m 90 open and so general, that take il for granted
bs measure will unquestonably be pressed upon Con-
ss On this suppositon, il becomes expedent 10 Join
.sue with the wings and meet the question at in
ba face We do not to open up the question
and "arguy the topic;" but when we do 80, we
hall lead off with Mr. Webster's celebrated speech
On ireetrade, delivered in Boston in 1920; and we
mo respectfully conceive that this distinguished To-
,ician owes il to himself, before he proposes another
uoective system, 10 answer his own Argument. II
he can succeed in this Hercuean labor, for one are
rrepared to become a convert to his new school, But
that speech is a lion in the path and he is the last man in
the nation who ought 10 march on to restoration until
he removes it from all our paths.
Without entering, however, into the argument at pres
ent we mean occasionally TO prepare for the discussion
by stating such facts and statistics the operation of
the present law, may be calculated to show its real
tendency in protecting and encouraging the domestic 1--WE
mean the manufacturing labor of the country. With
this view, lay before readers, promised the
following extracts from speech delivered at Lowell on
Tuesday, the 7,h instant The Lowell Advertiser of the
9th thus introduces the speech:
Democratic meeting on Tuesday night
The democracy were called together last Tuesday
evening" to take preliminary steps for the nomination of
representatives to the general court and also to hear
disqusition, by B +. Butler esq, the contemplated
reduction Of the wages Of mill operatives in this city
The hall was literally jammed full. Hundreds finding
impossible to obtain access, turned away disappointed
F. A. Hdreh, chairman of city committee, called the
meeting to order and Captain J. L. W. Tlton was elect.
ed chairman. The organization Of the meeting was
completed by electng John A. Morrill, secretary
Voted, that the city and ward committees be author
lied to report at an adjourned meeting, list of nine
gentlemen democratic candidates for the legislature
the report to be adopted, rejected amended at said
meeting
Mr. Butler introduced to the assembled multitude,
and made most powerful and eloquent Speech of some
two hours IN length frequently interrupted by rounds of
applause. The cheers of men and the waving of the
handkerchiefs of females, showed the deep interest
taken In the question under discussion Could the hos
hy there manifested against souIless corporations and
their mighty influence be carried out at the ballot box
those who control the government of our city and State
would soon be IN merited minority Mr.. B. run ia
this city, from the creation of the Locks and Canals Com
panyto the present day. This company, few years
ago. ceased to exist as distinct body dividing before
ITS dissolution an immense fund OF money The
amount OF capital invested in manufacturing in this
city, Is $2,llo,0O0 viz: Merrmack 81, 100000; Ham
ton, 81 100000; Appleton 100000; Lowell, $780,
900; Mddesex. Sl,OOoooO Suffolk, 100000; Ire
mont 100000; Lawrence, $l,5oO0Oo; Beachery
S2OOO0 Boot, Sl200,000; Massachusetts, 81 800 OOO
Machine Shop, S5oo,ooO This capital has been earned
three times over by the operatives Besides the declared
dividends which ranged from to 30 per cent, there
an undivided surplus fund in the hands of the corpora
ions, with which 10 build new mills, improve old Ones
'sa estate d canals ma build blocks
}or, as the speaker Significantly said, since the 'loco-
TOGO" tariff of 1867 out Of this surplus fund had
been constructed new mills on the Lawrence, Merr
mack Boot, Hamilton, Appleton, Suffolk, and Ire
moni new canal had been built costing something like
million OF dollars; Winnpisseogee lake and other water
privileges had been purchased and "bofed to fill it. Mr.
o. quoted from authentic documents to prove his posi-
tons and statements, which show the great prosperity of
the manufacturing interest up this time and at which
'he above is bua slight glance During all this prosperity
when three times the amount of the capital invested had
been made IN the business, labor had been permitted to
ENJOY none OF 1t save meagre remuneration of wages
ranging from SO cents to 81 rs Gncuding overseers per
day each operative Now suppose, for argument sake
present time as heretofore is it quite chari,able-s in
accordance with those professions of love for the Ia
oorer which are so often heard from those who speak
for coporationsto cut down the wages of the opera
uyes and make them bear the evils of hard times
when they are not allowed to share in the blessings OF
the more prosperous seasons But the mills run
81
really any necessity for reducing the wages? The pic
lure OF manufacturing prosperity for the last few years
would suggest negative answer This present year the
Nerrmack company, according to the reasurers report
earned 10 per cent on the invested capital, per cent of
which was declared. and per to the sinking
fund Is reduction of wages necessary there The
Lawrence where the corporaliOnists NEST complain, de-
ciacd dividend OF $45 900, and 25 900 the
sinking fund Among the causes which diminished the
Lawrence dividends (and they far from being d.
nnshed to losing pont) their misfortune in the
purchase OF the material. Something like year
ago. when stores OF short crops and of the ravages of
some bghng insect, were in vogue, the price of cot
ION rose--and while yet high, the Lawrence company
purchased largely; soon after fell about third Is
Just that the consequences of the klunders lack
'oethoagh on the part of the or their agents
should be visited upon the heads of the poor operatives
there really necessity for reducing wages on this cor
poatlon If not surely there is no necessity of doing
80 anywhere. But why are wages to be reduced? Be
anse stockholders are receiving little short of the
enormous dividends which have heretofore ebIed their
'aptal Why? Mainly Though the demand for their
goods may not be the active at the present momen
because OF the vast amount of money kept undivided
Nhch makes up the surplus sinking fund From this
money new machinery for old and new mills is being
lrchased, new buildings put up, canal being finish
a. real estate bought, and many other preparations for
AWe prQht, divide this fund, and outward manifesto
IONS prosperity are at visible But they point
declared dividend of about half of what they have
eally understanding that the times are hard and the
ause thereof the tariff and proceed once reduce the
wages OF labor
MT b. entered into vndicaton of the tariff of 1896
ana showed conclusivey that any ills which had befaen
NE industry OF the country was not attributable to it,
passage of the tariff of 1916 especially had the c
.ens OF Massachusetts to rejoice at its passage
MANY statistics were presented showing the spirit of en-
erprse which had been manifested in the business com
nunity during the last few years among which, the
following is from the Boston Courier, wing paper
s oft