The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-25
THE SILK TARIFF.


The production of silk in this country has
increased very rapidly since 1850. For in
tance in 1850 the total products were worth
81, 100000 in 1S6O $4,000, 900; in 1870 $12,
900 900, and in 1880, 49,, 100000. This shows
that from a very small industry, in 1850, silk
has now become quite important. The rate
of increase shows, too, that the importance
is increasing at a very rapid ratio. In 1861
raw silk was admitted free of duty. The
average rate of duty under the last bill on
articles made from silk was estimated at 60
per cent. under the new act the duties on
silk and silk goods range from 10 per cent. to
80 per cent. advalorem
Since the manufacture of silk began in this
country the price on servings and machine
has fallen Sc per cent. the price on dress
goods, which have been manufactured here
for only four or five years past, has been re-
duced 30 or So per cent. The cost of manu-
featuring pound of silk in Europe is only
about $3.50; with us it is Sc or 81. The wages
paid workers in silk here are better than
those paid in Europe. Compare Switzerland
and the United States:
weavers of plain ribbons-swiss So 80 to 4;
United States, $3.50 to S15
Weavers OF jacquard fancy ribbOns-Swiss,
81 to S4 so; United States, $l5.
Warpers-Swiss, So; United States, $40.
Winders-Swiss, 1921; United States, So to SO
A glance at this table will show one reason
why it costs more to manufacture pound of
silk here than it does in Switzerland.
Compare little further the wages re-
ceived:
A female hard silk winder-United States,
A male weaver power looms)-United States,
$1l.45; England $40.
male desgner-United States, $2471; En-
gland, $12.
These prices are for ten hours per day in
this country, and for from twelve to fifteen
hours per day in England and France. The
manufacturer of silk here pays bis operatives
100 per cent more than the English employer
pays, 200 per cent. more than the French,
300 per cent. more than the italian. To this
higher cost ofswages must be added the cost
for freight, insurance commissions, and
handling, which the American manufacturer
necessarily has to meet. All this time it
must be remembered that raw silk is admit
ted free of duty
We note these facts: The American worker
in silk gets higher wages, as shown above;
the American consumer gets silks from 80 to
Sc per cent cheaper, as shown above, since
we have been manufacturing here; the
American manufacturer now supplies so per
cent. of the goods consumed, whereas in 1860
he only supplied 10 per cent.
Here protection seems to have directly
benefited and to now benefit the worker the
employer, and the consumer of silk goods.
The free trader is gradually being driven
from every position he has assumed. He
England factories have been long established
they are strong enough to stand and thrive
without protection This is great country,
and legislation must assume a corresponding
spirit. The South and the West need pro-
lection now as much as the East did years
ago. and more so, perhaps, than the New
England States do now. Wiser Democrats,
such as Senator Voorhees,, see this and are
arguing to suit these demands. They point
out forcibly that an abolition of the customs
duties means direct taxatior kind of taxa
ton of which every man will directly bear
and feel the burdens. The present system
distributes the burden directly upon each
consumer in proportion to the amount con-
sumed, and compensates for the price paid by
giving to the manufacturer increased profits
and home market, to the laborer higher
wages free schools, and the best of govern
ments. To every middle merchant 1t gives
the advantage of busy, thriving community
in which to sell his wares. 1t directly bene-
fits the mass of the people. The Republican
party takes the old, solid ground-protectio
to home muscle, home brain, home energy
and home capital-and standing on this
ground, it is willing to receive all attacks
and to advance into the conflict
Mrs. JANE GREY SwIssHELM reads long
lecture to the ministers of Pittsburg and to