The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-10-21
Free Trade and Low Wages.

We ask our readers to give the following
article taken from the editorial columns of the
Philadelphia Press, a careful perusal 1t states
the tariff questions plainly and forcibly, and
cannot fail to make deep impression upon
every impartial mind-especially with the
working men of the country In reading it
let them remember that the Democratic party
is committed against the principle of protec-
ton to home industry, and the Republican
party is committed to it. Indeed, one of the
cardinal principles of the Democratic party is
free trade, or at best tariff for revenue only,
without pretension to the protection of
American industry and American labor while
the Republican party, and that alone, is re-
sponsible for the administrative policy which
has brought our country in every branch of
manufactures and industrial enterprise, to its
present unexampled prosperity. The Press
says:
Nothing is more certain than that a reduction In
wages must inevitably follow close upon the heels
of the adoption of free trade or revenue tariff.
Yet so little do men think for themselves that tens
Of thousands of workingmen will doubtless be
found in November falling into line for the Cincin-
NATL nominees and, as far as in them lies voting
the bread and butter out Of their mouths The
Democratic platform demands a tariff for revenue
only. The connection between that principle of
legislation and low wages for American working
men is so obvious that 1t would seem thoughtful
worktngman can readily overlook it.
tariff for revenue so gauges the duties as to in
crease importations. This necessarily involves a
diminished sale Of American goods, unless the
home manufactures reduce their prices accordingly
In order to do this to any great extent they must
diminish the cost OF making the goods. The only
point where usually reduction Is possible is in
prices paid for labor. Thus 1T follows that the
and inevitable result Of increased foreign COMPETE
ton in the home market under reduced tarifr is
lower wages for Work1ngmen. II the wages
were paid here as in Europe there would be no de-
mand for a protective tartn, except to afford par
OF entirely new industries. An enterprise once
Its feet could then take of ITSELF We have the
same raw MATERIAL and in even greater abundance,
that England has. We're the price of labor the same
in both countries American manufactures would
consult their own interests and join with England
in seeking to establish free trade with all the world
The mills, the furnaces and FORCES all over our
land, after working half time or lying idle during
the years Of business depression, are working
to their utmost capacity. Should reduction in the
tariff now be made, manufactures must either re-
duce their selling prices and pay less to their work
men or abandon the market, shut down their mills,
and turn their workmen adr1ft. Should the latter
course be adopted the number Of men thus put out
Of employment would cheaper the price of labor in
every department all over the United States Should
general reduction in wages be made instead the
agricultural and day laborer would soon feel the
effects of it until there would be uniform lowering
Of wages throughout the whole United States.
This Is the meaning of ''tar1R for revenue only.
The manufacturer is interested In maintaining a |
protective tariff. 1t is more consonant with his |
feelings and in accordance with his interest to pay
his workmen good wages and know they can live in |
comfort and content. The workman is, however, |
more interested in protection. For him |
It means better home better food, better clothes,
and larger range of enjoyments and greater advan
ages, both to himself and family, than he could |
nope for under revenue tariff and lower wages.
The reports of our Consus the state of labor in
Europe reveal a startling picture of wharwe may
expect in this country as our tariff approaches
nearer and nearer to free trade. There see hus-
oand, wife and children all laboring many hours
each day at the severest labor and the joint fruits
If their daily toll only anord1ng them miserable
lut to live n the coarsest garb to wear, and black
bread and few vegetables their only food.
There is evidence that many of the work1ngmen
Ire not unconscious of the danger which threatens
hem in the present campaign. In Cleveland and
elsewhere they have formed formidable organiza-
iOns with view to protect tariff. II this is done
n every manufacturing centre the defeat Of the
party seeking tariff for only is assured.
The Democrats have forced the tariff question to
he front and made the protective principle one of
he leading issues Of the campaign. Their success
means the prostration Of our industries and the re-
luction Of our workingmen to condition more and
more nearly that Of the laborers of Europe.