The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-10-22

~ aus VI CdllCO, LOG w
Tax, 80 per cent ll2x
Cost withouttax l77k
| pair 10-pound blankets $40 %
Tax l0l per cent 504
80 yards wool carpet ' - SO 90 "
Tax 50 per cent ~
Cost without tax 10 So
10 yards deiaines, Csc q 80
Tax So per cent 80
Cost without tax l67
Total expenditure SIS 90
Total tax 80 1875
Cost without tax s45 66-5
Table prepared by Hon. James h. Slater
OF Oregon, taken from a speech by him
April II, 1871
In such an.expenditure nearly three
bushels of wheat out Of seven is con-
sumed by the tariff.
The cost of shoes and agricultural i'm
plements have been increased in still
greater proportion. 1t is intimated
that Of an expenditure OF one thousand
dollars for articles Of absolute necessity
in every household one-third is occas-
Toned by the present tariff.
A tariff on commodities affects the
people just in proportion to their
condition. Such tax is scarcely no.
ticed by the rich; it deprives the man
Of moderate means Of no sensible enjoy
ment; while it often denies the poor the
necessaries of life.
When a tariff is levied upon an ar
ticle of domestic and foreign manufac-
ture. only the portion imported pays any
duty to the government. The home
manufacturer, although he adds the
amount of the duty on the foreign ar.
ticle to the price of his own pruduct,
! pays no duty to the government, but
accepts the premium as a part of his
profit.
The bounties paid to sustain an un.
profitable business are but taxes to de-
stroy a remunerative one. A protect
i've tariff is at best only a tax on the
whole community for the benefit Of a
few engaged in some favored branch of
industry, an injustice in any cas-, but
gross injustice to the people Of this
State.
According to the last census only
twelve and one half millions of our
people over ten years Of age are
engaged in any employment. OF this
number six millions are connected with
agriculture, while less than eight hun
dred thousand are employed in any
protected industry.
1t seems hardly credible that a sys
tenn taxing SO many for the benefit of
SO few, should find supporters in this
age, and that it should remain in force
in this country, after being condemned
by most Of the enlightened nations of
the earth.
or all arguments urged in support Of
| this system, perhaps the most effective
and at the same time the most Elusive
is the protection a tariff affords Ameri-
can labor.
This is direct appeal to the labor
ing man. and if protection improves the
condition of this class Of our people, the
argument admits Of no satisfactory an
swer.
Before entering upon the considera.
ton Of this subject let US recall the fact
that skilled labor employed in manu-
featuring, commands as high wages in
Europe as in this country, the
expense Of living being
considered. Indeed in consequence Of
the expenses of living in this country
several thousand Of these artisans have
within the last two years returned to
Europe for employment.
A careful consideration of the sub
ject will show US that protection cannot
benefit labor.
First, A tariff is tax, and so far as
this tax increases the expenses of liv-
ing, it Is injurious to the whole popula-
ton. Protection, therefore, to benefit
the laborer must increase the reward
Of labor more than the cost Of living.
Second, Those employed in protect
ed industries receive no higher wages
than those engaged in the same kind
Of service in unprotected industries;
the wages of all being regulated by
supply and demand. Labor, therefore,
can be benefited only by increasing
the demand.
Third. The number of persons en-
ployed in the most important protected
industries is less than three hundred
and thirty-six thousand. Number Of
persons employed in the manufacture
OF cotton goods (protected):
Adults, males, 40,746
Adults, females, 66.87O
Youths under i6, 2l.s26 l29. 40
Number of persons en-
ployed in the maaufac-
ture of iron
Adults, loe,764
Youths, under l6, 1861 1925
Persons employed in the
manufacture of wooden
and worsted goods,
Adult, males, 4G,703
Adult, females, 34,S66
Youths, under is, Ii $50 $500
o0G