The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-10-28


or steel industry may either prove fatal to
him, or, as Mr.. oeSterling said about glass,
necessitate such aIeduction in wages to
his employees, as will enable him to COM
pete with the foreign manufacturer. Let
us illustrate. The foreign manufacturer
of any specially in iron or steel, with such
a reduction OF duty, would be able to defy
American competition, and could, as we
have said, either break down con-
Germs already established or compel their
employees to work for greatly reduced
wages. Each reduction OF wages on this
side OF the Atlantic would be followed by |
a further reduction on the other side, and
soon the point would be reached where
the American manufacturer could not
follow him. But, on the other hand, sup.
pose that an adequate protection is kept
up on this side OF the ocean, what is the
effect? Take the manufacture Of axes as
an example. In 1925 the Collins brothers
started their celebrated manufacture Of
axes in this country. By the tariff OF 1928
protective duty OF IS per cent. was
levied on imported axes. This protection
kept the Collins concern alive. Under 1t
they, with Characteristic American enter
prise and ingenuity, introduced labor say.
| ing machinery. Ultimately their axes sn-
pereded all foreign axes in our markets.
As early as 1896 their axes were selling
side by side in our stores with the foreign
made axes at SIS to SIG per dozen. Home
rivalry introduced further Improvements,
prices declined and foreign axes were
driven clear out OF our markets. Prices
kept on declining until axes were sold as
low as IS per dozen as early as ls4s.
Thus it will be seen that We kept our
money at home, built up great industries
and gave employment to great numbers
of people.
GLASS AND GLASSWARE.
Mr.. Wells proposes to reduce, under the
Democratic platform, the duties on glass
and glassware from 574 to 40 per cent.
The same remarks apply under this head
that we have used under the head Of iron
and steel manufactures. Under the reve-
nue. tariff that obtained under the last
Democratic an ilnistratIon-that OF James
-fye:sixths Of the glassware in
this country was imported from abroad.
Under the Republican tariff the proper
ton OF imported and domestic made glass
has been reversed. Fivesixths of all the
glass used in the United States is made on
our own soil, by our own workmen, and
he money is paid out here instead Of be-
ing sent abroad. And meanwhile, white
wages have advanced 80 per cent, prices
to consumers have universally declined
as. for instance, on one line OF goods from
81 50 to IS cents per dozen.
WOOD, TIMBER, BOARDS, &c.
This Is an important matter to the peo-
ple OF West Virginia. Mr.. Wells in his
explanation OF the Democratic platform,
proposes reduction on these articles from
20 and % per cent to 10. We protect the
wood and timber interests OF this
country against competition from Can
ada and adjacent islands by tariff
in favor OF our own products. The
wood and %oodenware interest is i'm
mense in this country, and includes boxes,
barrels, casks, slaves and dressed lumber
of every possible description. 1t gives
employment to thousands OF people and
consumes millions Of dollars worth OF
American grown lumber.
POTTERY WARES.
We are Just starting this industry in
Wheeling. Mr.. Wells, on behalf OF the
Democracy, proposes to reduce the pro.
lection It now enjoys from ~! per cent to
20. Before the advent Of the Republican
party to power this country was largely
and, as some one has said, "disgraceiully
dependent" upon foreign manufacturers
for its supply Of earthen, stone and porce-
lain ware. And this was the case not
withstanding the fact that the United
States hold the greater part OF the avails-
be coal OF the world, and that we have
also inexhaustible beds Of clay aud other
pottery materials. Perhaps no branch Of
American manufactures have excited as
much feeling Of late years in England as
the growth OF our earthen, stone and por.
celain manufactures. A few years agos
number Of Englishmen visited this
country to ascertain the secret Of
our successful competition. They
ascertained that it was in our pro-
tectlve policy, and it is recorded
that they went home declaring their in
tention "to unroof the potteries OF Tren.
ton, aud destroy the plant of capital
there" This declaration reveals the gen.
uine spirit OF free trade, and therefore it is
that they are circulating millions OF tracts
in this country in the interest Of Demo
cratic success.
THR EFFECT OF PROTECTION.
We have more than once taken occasion
to show the logical effect Of protection.
Experience here in Wheeling shows 1t,
particularly in the matter Of glass. 1t
cheapens production to the consumers and
yet protects the wages Of employees. I'm.
der the Democratic and revenue tariff ad.
ministration OF James Buchanan calico
was worth 194 cents peryard. Under Re-
publican protection it has been so cheap.
ened that a full dress pattern has been
sold for 80 cents. Delainss were worth
% cents per yard under Buchanan's Ad
ministration that have sold under Repub.
can rule at15 cents. Alpacas were worth
under Buchanan 70 cents per yard that in
these latter Republican days have sold at
So cents. shawls that sold under Lis ad.