The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-11-22
Protsotion VS.. Revenue Reform.


Though the advocacy of high protective
tariff in the late campaign, was produc.
tive of benefit to the Republican party, il
is now evident that, SO far As the future il
concerned, it would have been much better
for the Republicans had protection moi
been advocated. The short discussion in
the late canvass. SO far as the Repubil
cans were concerned, was made to alarm
timid workingmen, and was SO urged that
thousands did not understand the reai
meaning of high tariff, and as the Dem
oerats did not have time to reply fully
to all the speeches, the burden
of advantage was with the Republicans
for the time and unquestionably changed
thousands of votes for Garfield. which
had not the policy of alarm been sprung,
would have gone to Hancock.
The election is over now. and with it
the excitement, and now comes the reac-
ton. The people are beginning to inquire
into the merits and dement's of protection
and revenue reform, andare awakening to
the truth, It was asserted during the
late canvass that, but for the present
tariff. the manufacturers would be COM
PEELED to stop, workiugmen would be
thrown out OF work. business would be
crippled, indeed dire calamity would
surely come to the people unless the
present protective tariff was continued.
The Republicans even went further and
boldly announced that Garield's election
meant an increase Of wages and in some
cases this advantage was urged as sufici
ent reason for continuing the present pro-
tective tarif-and many hundreds of
workingmen believed it. toe-actually
believed that. SO soon as Garfield was
elected, wages would rise. But the election
is over. and wages remain the same.
IN some cases have been cut
down-and now the mechanics
want TO know why this is the case. The
Republicans dare not tell them that it was
only a campaign trick to promise an
increase of wsges-that all they wanted
was their votes, and that the protective
tariff does not affect wages. And yet IL
they told the truth. the admission would
have to be made, for that is all that the
present tariff does-it simply pays 9 few
manufacturers q bonus to continue bust
ness, while the government reaps nc
special benefit, and labor is not protected
The consumers and Industrial classes
will eventually combine with the party
which faYors revenue reform, and this will
be the issue in 1884. and it will be under
stood before that time-so fully, too. that
a campaign trick. will not avail TO alarm the
people and turn them from the party
which advocates their interests.
Not only is the present protective tariff
unfair to labor, but it is also unfair
to a large class of manufactur'
ers and other business meu
who receive no benefit from its provisions
and when it becomes fully understood tina
the present tariff is a protectorate to {
chosen few and that it does not protect
labor, it will have to be changed.
Powerful Hobbies will contest any change
in the existing tariff, and heavy capital
lied interests will combat a change, but
the power of public sentiment will event
ually force a change of our tariff laws. SC
that ali will be benefited alike This il
revenue reform, and every mechanic,
farmer and business man ia interested ir
revision of our tariff laws.
To protect American industry is one
thing, and to protect favored class
quite another thing. Protection, as nov
advocated by the adherents of the present
tariff does not protect American labor. bu
does impose upon every consumer in tht
country an enforced duty, By which be il
compelled to pay fancy prices for food ant
clothing. in order that a certain class may
grow fabulously rich by mems of sc
called-"protective tariff.
The great necessity of the people is
revenue reform and the party which stands
squarelY on that platform in 1884 will win
the victory. 1t is as inevitable as fate.
Indiana Democrats in Council.
The Democratic editors of northern