The daily gazette., 1883-08-23
~R.R
Doi)lt v; g0zetic
wILMIS0ToN. THURSDAY. AUG. 2
The Tariii and wages.

Mr.. Porter, the special agent of the New
York Tribune, who was sent to Europe to
examine thoroughly into the labor qu' stion,
with view to proving beyond doubt
that protective tariff invariably
affords better wages for the work
ingman has struck snag already
by ascertaning that there is but little per-
ceptive difference between the wages paid in
England aid Germany. The revenue poli'y
of England is well-known, but in Germany
a high aud arbitrary protective tariff has
been enforced during recent years. Speak
ing of Mr. Porter's failure, the Philadelphia
Record says
Thus far Mr.. Porter has had uphill work
an great de,l of It; but let him not de-
spair with his failure in Germany. The Ger
man protective policy is of too recent origin
TO afford fair means of comparison. France,
whose protective system is OF long standing,
remains TO be visited. Recent official sta
tistics of the trade OF France show a serious
decline IN the export o. that country's man
ufacturing products, which have been most
carefully nursed by Government. If FraDce
should afford nothing PROMISING for protec-
tion in mahlng comparison OF its trade
with that of England, there is Spain, which /,
in the course of 200 or 300 years, has
brought the paterual and protective system
of government to the highest stage OF de
velopment But Mr.. Porter should hasten,
for even in Spain there are signs of an
awakening from the long slumher of protec-
ton.
In the meantime the excessive incidental
taxation to which the people OF this country
are subjected by the tariff ought to cease.
The truth is that the tariff has nothing
whatever to do with the wages, which ar
regulated entirely by the law o. supply o
demand. The lowest rate of wages ever re
ceiyed by the workingmen of this countr
prevailed from 1873 10 1877, when no at
tempt of any consequence mad been mad
for revenue reform, aud high protective tari
was in existence. The workiugmen of tn
country have found by hard experience tina
the high tariff simply protects the larg
employers at theii expense, and leaves the
labor (Which is the workingman's capt.
and his sole dependency open to the col
petition of the cheapest markets of u
world. The high protective tariff, like |
Republican party, "must go"
-- . -
WHAT THE GAZETTE said about the tina
cial condition OF the city before the electi'
is now generally admitted, and the cry I
economy comes from every side, even fro
the source that formerly denie. the asst
tions of the GAZETTE. The request tn
tramps be employed in cleaning the stree
is now mad as measure OF economy al
it should be hceded We do rot believe t
city would thereby reduce its expenses, b
ii would get a large amount OF necc-ss
work performed without additional cost.
-.
THE Augusta Ga Chronicle, one of
few southern journals afflicted by the hi
tariff rraze, declares that the election Of a
man to the Speakership who has made
free-trade speech viii cost the Democra
party The next Presidency. The Philad
phia Record. however, reminds 1t that
election Of Michael 9. Kerr, of Indiana,
the Speakership, in 1873, did not pre-,
the people of the country from elect
Samuel j. Tiden to the Presidency the
lowing year.