Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-11-24
DURBORROw { LUTz Editors and PrOprietors.
MORE PROTECTION FOR WORK
INGMENsS LAR0R.

accomplished in the interest of the foreign
manufacturers, in their long struggle to OBJ
tain possession of the markets ofthe United
States. is the establishment of a too gener-
al impression that the demand for the Pro-
lection of American Labor proceeds from
capitalists only-that high tariffs design
ed to foster investments, and not to bless
worklngmen--tha the employing iron-m mas
ters, spinners and weavers, who ask the
Government to sustain and develop their
several industries, speak only for their own
small and wealthy number, and that the eco
nomical question between them and the hir-
ed advocates ofBritish Free Trade, concerns
simply class Of men, already rich, who do
but selfshly seek larger and larger profits
lis huge and a cruel falsehood. The cap
italists petitioning Congress, with the man
ufacturers pleading through the Press, are
but the representatives and mouthpieces of
millions Of working people directly and in
directly dependent for their bread and their
happiness upon the prosperous employment
OF the manufacturing capital of our coun-
try. 1t is their interest, almost exclusively,
which is at stake in the controversy over
principles OF Economy, SO persistently urg-
ed BY the Eu opean manufacturers against
American manufacturers and statesmen It
is the good of these millions which is TO be
decided by the issue of the struggle to break
down the revenue barriers which now fee
bly, protect them in their work of developing
the Industry of the United States, and to
let foreign products food 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, ofrepresenta-
tives struggling for the interests of constitu-
ents-has recently been conclusively shown
by an eminent Pennsylvania iron-master,
Daniel j. Morrell, the Superintendent of
the great Cambria Works at atJohnstown, Pa.
Mr. MorrelF experience and distinction in
his business, with his high personal charac-
ter, will command the fullest credit for all
the facts and figures contained in his argu-
ment, and will enforce his earnest plea in
behalf of the iron workmen of the United
States for an increase of the duties on Brit
ish iron. He says
lron-masters write and speak and me
morallze on the subject of protection; they
meet to discuss it, and combine to secure it;
and 1t would seem, at superficial view, to
be question solely between them and the
Government. 1t is not so. They areamouth-
piece for innumerable workingmen. who
and to live. The industry of these men has
sustained, perhaps saved, the Government.
They pay it, directly and indirectly, large
portion of their wages. BY their aid the
National credit has been maintained and
adequate protection will enable them to re-
par the waste ofwar. and to insure the hq-
uldatlon of the National indebtedness The
Government is in partnership with them,
and dependent upon their prosperity. 1t
must protect them if it would protect itself
Does it do so?
| propose to show what proportion of its
value every tun of American manufactured
iron pays into the public treasury, and how
much OF this is a tax upon the laborer: and
shall contrast this with the duty upon i'm
ported iron, to show the comparative regard
of the Government for its own citizens, la
boring for its support, and foreigners who
have armed and aided arebellion for its over
throw
| shall endeayor, partially at least to ana
lyze tun of iron, to show what it repre-
sents, and how It's elements affect the com
mon veal, and are affected by the laws of
the land
1t has been usual for iron masters, in esti-
mating the cost of a gross tun of ordinary
bar IRON, to consider it equivalent to the
value of fifty days average labor, and my
observations have convinced me that this
calculation is approximately correct
My experience in the u,AiIaElctnre of rails
shows that an average of about 81 days la
Dor Is expended directly in the production
Of a gross tun of railroad bars-in taking the
ore and coal from the mines, and delivering
the inlshed-iron from the mill ready for
shipment. Add to this the wear and tear
of furnaces, machinery, building, &c, inter-
est on capital, and royalty for the minerals
consumed, and it will appear that the esti-
mate of fifty day labor Is not much too
great, even upon tun OF rails, when fair
margin is allowed for profit.
Claiming no profit, and making no charge
for interest on capital or for minerals, the
net cost of tun of rails may be fairly sta
ted at forty days labor The natural adyan-
tages or disadvantages Of location will vary
this estimate somewhat; but as labor is gem
orally less productive or more costly where
nature has most lavished her favors, the ac-
tual cost Of production remains nearly the
same. Hence the cost of iron, in dollars
and cents, depends upon the wages paid for
the labor which produces it, and the value
of the wages received by the workmen de-
pends upon the cost of such articles as he
needs to purchase, for himself and family
These articles are now high in price, and
wages must therefore be high. The exigen-
cies of Government affecting the currency
have enhanced the cost of the necessaries of
life, in the supply Of which there is no COM
petition from abroad. The price of the
product of the workingman' labor should
be proportionately enhanced, and thus an
equilibrium maintained; and this would be
the case if there were no outside interfer
ence. Unfortunately for him, foreign labor
unaffected by the exigencies Of our Govern
ment, and bearing none of his indirect bur-
dens, enters into competition with him and
threatens his destruction lit should also
be remembered in this connection, especial
" by the lawmakers of the land upon
whose enlightened action the welfare of the
toiling millions Of our Leople depends, that
the w0rkingman of America aims to save
something, and rightfully claims that he
should be able to lay aside a portion of his
earnings to secure the future of his family
That he may do this, is not enough to make
duties equal to direct and indirect taxes, but
he must be further protected against the la
bor of European workmen who are eompel-
ed to toll from year to year for what will
barely keep body and soul together
That portion of the price of tun of i'm
ported iron which stands for the wages of la
Dor. represents coarse food mean raiment,
and worse lodging, political nullity, enforced
ignorance, seridom in single occupation,
with prospect of eventual relief from the
parish.
That portion ofthe price ofa tun of Amer