The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-27

NGAH"N
We called attention in late issue Of the
INrELuGENCEn to tire difference between
theory and facts in the discussion OF Il
Tariff. We said that there were in this
Countrya class OF men known as "doctri-
naires," who thOorized beautifully OH the
subject. Some OF them were college pro-
iessors who had studied their theories in
foreign text books. Some Of them had
also travelled and soiourned in England,
and had fallen in with English ideas on
the subject. They were full Of theories,
and their theories sounded well, and had
the tendency when uncontradicted by
practical facts TO make an impression in this
country on those who were not informed
on the other side OF the question.
The two Senators from Kentucky are
both pronunced free traders, and full OF
d6ctriuaire theories. Kentucky is an agri-
cultural as well us n Bourbon State. Very
little manufacturing is done in that State.
By her two Senators the tariff is regarded
with great aversion. Both have had con-
siderable to say during this session about
it in the way OF showing up its iniquitieS.
Mr.. Beck is especially vehement. lie is a
Scotchman by birth and Bourbon by
adoption. He made speech OH the tariff
not long since. lie got up his own pre-
misses without reference TO facts, and of
course drew some astounding conclusions
rs to the profits Of manufacturing in this
country. For instance, he essayed to pre-
sent the profits Of the protected silk indus.
tries of New Jersey. He got the follow
ing rule in arithmetic in order to make out
his case. He said that the capital invested
in Silk industry in that State was SIS, $780,
800; that the cost Of labor was S9,l07, S25
per annum the cost Of the material used
was S22,S7t, 800, and the product was worth
S4O,075,2Sl. Now, said he, deduct the
labor and the material aud you have net
profit Of so per cent on the capital EN-.
pIoyed by the silk manufacturers.
Not to be outdone by Beck, Beck's col.
league (Williams) made speech on the
same subject, taking, Of course, the same
chute. He undertook to ventilate the profits
otthe Cotton and Wooden manufacturers
lie stated that the capital invested IN the
former branch was SgO7, ISL SIS; wages
paid, S4l 1921, LOG, and value OF productions,
Sl09,773,06O. Now subtract cost OF mate
rial and wages Of labor, and you have q
profit Of 10 per cent. 1t is very plain-as
easy rs sum in addition and subtraction.
Then, again, take the Wooden manu-
iNcturers. They havca capital OF Sl55, Ash.
i0j, and use material to the amount Of
SlG9, GO94SG, and pay out for wages S47,-
ll5GO4, and the value: of their product is
SSG5,6S4,706. Subtract wages and raw ma.
terial and you have SO per cent proGt-as
easy as rolling off log.
On Thursday last Senator Frye, OF
Maine had occasion in the course OF some
remarks to call attention to these state
ments Of the two Kentucky Senators. In
regard to the profits Of silk manuiactur.
ing, rs set forth by Mr. Beck, he remarked
that the statement was so absurd that it
only needs the statement for its refuta.
ton" He then proceeded to expose it in
the following words:
Does the Senator from Kentucky know
that that is not trlle2 Does he mean 10
send out to the country as fact that the
profits made by the silk manufacturers in
New jersey are 80 per cent? Does the
Senator from Kentucky mean that II he de-
ducts the labor and material from the pro.
duction, the balance shows the profit which
is made by the silk manufacturers? That
is what the Senator from Kentucky asserts
here; 1t is what is printed in his speech; It
is what goes out to the country as a state
ment by a leading Senator, when discussing
an important financial problem, stating as