New-York daily tribune., 1865-11-13
MORE PROTECTION FOR WORK.
INGMRN's LABOR.

INGMRN's LABOR.
One of the most mischievous successes &c.
complished in the interest of the foreign manu-
facturers, in their long struggle TO obtain pos.
session of the markets of the United States, Ii
the establishment Of too general impression
that the demand for the Protection OF American
Labor proceeds from capitalists only-that
high tariff is designed to foster investments, and
not to bless workingmen-that the employing
iron.lnasters, spinners and weavers, who ask
the Government to sustain and develop theif
several industries, speak only for their own
small and wealthy number, and that the eco
noInical question between them and the hired
advocates of British Free Trade concerns sim.
ply class Of men, already rich, who do but
selfshly seek larger aud larger profits. lis 8
huge and O cruel falsehood. The capitalists
petitionng Congress, with the manufacturers
pleading through the Press, are but the repre-
sentatiyes and mouthpieces Of millions Of work
ing people directly and indirectly dependent
for their bread and their happiness upon tho
prosperous employment of the manufacturing
capital of our country. 1t is their interest, al
most exclusively. which is at stake in the con-
troversy over principles of Economy, SO persist
emily urged by the European manufacturers
against American manufacturers and statesmen.
II is the good of these millions which is to be
decided by the issne of the struggle to break
down the revenue barriers which now feebly
protect them in their work of developing the
Industry of the United States, and TO let for.
eign products flood in upon them and
sweep them away into idleness or to over.
crowded agricultural employment.
This true relation between the Capitalists and
the Workingmen-that of advocates pleading
the causes of clients, of representatives strug-
Cling for the interests of consttuents-has re.
Gently been conclusyely shown by an eminent
Pennsylvania iron.master, Daniel j. Morrell,
the Superintendent Of the great Cambria Works
at Johnstown, Pa. Mr.. Morrell's experience and
distinction in his business with his high personal
character, will command the fullest credit for
all the facts and figures contained in his argu.
ment, and viii enforce his earnest plea in behalf
of the iron-workmen Of the United States for
an increase Of tho duties on British iron. He
says:
. Iron.masters write and speak aud menoriaise
on the subject OF protection they meet to discuss II.
and combine 10 secure H. and u would SEEM asGper.
hcs view, TO be question solely between them and
the Government Ii is not 80. They are q mouihpeco
Tor inuumcrable workngmen. who. through them. de.
mand tho right 10 labor and 10 live. The Industry OF
these men has sustained perhaps saved, the Govern.
ment. They pay H. directly aad Indirectly large por-
ton of their wages. BY their aid. the National cTeais
has been mainlainedi an adequate protection VIII
the liquidation Of the National Indebtedness. The
Government Is IN partnership with them and dependent
upon their prosperity IL mus: protect them II would
protect itself Does II do sot
propose show what proportion Of rs value every
o American manufactured iron PAYS into the public
treasury and how much OF this is tax upon the ls-
borer; and shall contrast this with the duty upon i'm.
ported irou show the comparative regard Of the Cow
ernment for It's own citizens laboring for lis support,
and foreigners who have armed and aided rebellion
for It's overthrow
shall endeayor partially at least TO anayze tun OF
iron To show what II represents, and how Its clements
affect the common veal and are affected by the laws OF
1t has been usual for iron masters, In estimating tho
cost OF gross OF ordinary bar iron, 10 oonsl0er
equivalent the value Of fifty days average LABOR ana
my observations have CONVINCED ue that this Calculation
Is approximately correct.
Ny experienced In the manufacture OF rails shows that
an average OF about 80 days labor IS expended drsy
In the production Of gross OF railroad bars-ln
taking tho ore and coal from the mines, and dehfeIg
the finished iron from the mill ready Tor shlpmenI aga
ings &c interest on capital and royalty for tho
minerals consumed and will appear that the estimate
of ffty days labor is much too great even upon
tun of rais when fair margin is allowed for pront
! Claiming no profit and making no charge for inter
es, on captal or for minerals he net cost Of tun OF
rais NAV bo fairly stated at forty days labor Tho
natural Advantages or disadvantages Of location VIII
vary this estimate s0mewhat but as labor Is generally
ess productive or more costly where nature mas most
aVshed her fay0rs the actual cost OF production re-
mains nearly the same Hence the cost ot IRON III oo
lars and cents depends upn the wages paid for ths
labor which produces h and the value ot the wages re-
ceyed by the workmen depends upon the cost OF non
articles as he needs to purchase for himself and family
These articles are now high In price, and wages mus
therefore be high. The eXigencies OF Governmen. a.
eeng the currency have enhanced the cost OF Tue no
cessaies OF life In the supply OF which there Is no S.h
petion from abroad. Tho price OF the product oI s
workngmans labor should be proportonatey enhansh ~
and thus an equilibrium maintained; and this "yTus "s
the case II there were outside interference .i
tunacly for him, foreign labor unahected py s" IN
ceucies Of our Government and bearing hono hi srd
direct burdens, enters into competition WIN NJ" ,sn,
threatens his destruction. IL should a,so ~. aIer<
bered In this connection especially ny tDo h % aS,rs
OF the land upon whose enlightened act'ou ' s, The
OF the tong millions OF our people depen,, ana
work man of America aims 10 save Nv i s..ide
riebtfuiy claims that he should be aoie 70 "y s,,v
norton Of his earnings To secure the ituIo " n,Iss
That he may do this IL Is not enough 10 naH ,rther
soua 10 direct and Indirect taies but ne must u ,rho
nsotect,d acnlnst the labor Of European Horkm In
are compelled 10 toll frou year TO year TOT "ns' W"
ba rely keep body and soul together. .,-..a ,,s~
TAss pordoa u ~ psbcs ~ tun Of imsVs'VS ~"