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

Tax 50 per cent y
Cost without tax 10 So
| 10 yards delaines, 25c - 30
Tax 50 per cent 80
| Cost without tax l57
Total Total tax g is-5 .
Cost without tax as s6-5
liable prepared BY Hon. James h. Slater
of Oregon, taken from speech by him
April ~, 1921
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 tariff is levied upon an Or
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 part of his
profit.
The bounties paid to sustain an un-
profitable business are but taxes to de-
stroy remunerative one. A protect
i've tariff is at best only tax on the
whole community for the benefit of a
few engaged in some favored branch of
industry, an injustice ia 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 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.
OF all arguments urged in support of
this system, perhaps the most effective
and at the same time the most Elusive
is the protection 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 q 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
thsn those engaged in the same kind
Of service in unprotected industries;
the wages of al 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, 4O,746
Adults, females, 66.87O
Youths under is, q 500 l29. 40
Number of persons en-
ployed in the msoufac-
ture of iron
Adults, l09,764
Youths, under Is, 1861 1l3, 426
Persons employed in the
manufacture of wooden
and woEsted goode,
Adult, males, E,70a
Adult, females, 34,666
Yonfba un5ne iS 1a.Eg0 o. IN