The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-07-28
PROTECTION.


A WOrkingman Sends Us "A Few Thoughts
a.t..-'Hl on the Tariff
To tho Editor of the cleveland Leader:
In the coming controversy Of the tar
III question which bids fair to be warm
one, hope there will be an honest effort
to keep as free from political bias as
possible.
: IN making comparison between the
wages of this country and those of Eu-
: rope, there is apt TO be a use made of
hgures to serve the purposes OF this or
that party, rather than to advance the
interests of the labOring class.
l am a wOrkingman, and very much
desire to hear this question discussed
calmly before the heat of u political con-
te4t is upon us.
l think have noticed in the Leader a
Willingness to hear both sides of pOlit-
ical question, so L have Yentured to
send you few objections to the present
tariff; held by myself and several of my
Republican fellow wOrkmen.
We think the present high tariff has
outltved its usefulness, and has engen-
dered evils that are very oppressive to
the labOring classes of the country. All
the wealth of a country springs from its
labor. Ii that labor is depressed or PROS
trated, as by war, a protective tariff
VIII revive 1T. 1t acts as a stimulant.
W
fering from losses through war, and
too much gold, the adoption Of high
tariff will have a good effect. Turkey
would also reap good results by adopt
ing protective policy. But it should
be used as stimulant'Only. When the
patient is on his feet and able to take
natural food, the stimuIant should be
taken away, lest he get into bad habits.
We think our country has continued
M fol
habits are very plain to be seen. By
evils we mean whatever Obstructs OF in
jures the labor of the country. We are
speaking only in the interest of that
class to which we belong.
The first and foremost evil we suffer
FROM is the power of wealth. In order
not to offend that large class Of men
who obtain wealth suddenly, and do not
wish to give details, business has fur
nished us with the phrase, controlling
interest" in this OF industry of the coun-
try, as sufficient to account for their
rapid rise. The principal evil under this
gentle term would have been secuted
by every body fifty years ago, and at this
time IL ought to be held in utter con-
tempt by all worhngmen. 1t covers a
The tariff is controlling interest"
and delegates it to all the classes above
labor. Twelve years of "prOtectiOn to
American labor" has left her the victim
of all the wealthy classes, and she finds
herself compelled to act on the defen-
sive. For this reason we see why the
longer we are protected" the more
trades unions we require-the more we
have to strike for our wages.
The more we are controlled, the har-
der 1t is for clerks to get into business
for themselves, and mechanics must re-
main at the bench for life .Nt"
In order to satisfy the demand of
manufacturers for cheap labor, emigra-
tiOn Is stimulated to excess, thus fore
ing labOrers to increase the number of
their unions, and add to the number and
severity of mine strikes, showing very
plainly that a protective tariff does not
save US from the ''pauper labor of Eu-
rope" Another evil from the cause is
the impOssibility of having our children
learning useful trades. The necessities
OF the war for wages compel unions to
exclude all boys and weak men. They
may go to swell the army of tramps and
paupers.3 War knows nomercy, and this
reminds US that the country that has
upheld a protective tariff the longest
has the greatest nnmber Of paupers, the
natural result Of protection and trade
unions. Another reason why we ask for
reduction in our tariff is that it checks
consumption. The evidence for this is
found in our fraudulent adulteratiOn of
food, medicines, paints. &C., and in our
snowy, meretriciOus furniture, dress
goods, clothes, shoes, Sc. These things
are thus eheapened in order to bring
them within our means and foster trade.
These cheap products add 30 per cent. to
the cost of living of an American work.
man, and make it impossible to form a
correct comparison between the wages
Of this country and Europe
The New York Tribune has sent an
agent to Europe for the purpose of max
ing such comparisons. IL he succeeds
In convincing us of this truth, he Is Just
as likely to convince the Englishmen.
The result win be greater emigration
to this country than there has vet been,
and that is not pleasant reflection for
our working people.
In this rough sketch have tried to
give you some of the thoughts now pass
ing through the minds Of many Repub-
hcan wOrkingmen. Debates in shops
and factories often decide the fate of
PARTIES Both parties are heard in these
debates and no faYOrs shown. If Repub-
lican PAPERS resolve to keep quiet on
this tariff question, so much the worse
for the Republican debater.