The Labor enquirer., 1883-02-03
PROTECTION.

PROIECI1ON'
A mass meeting was held in Cooper
union Thursday night under the auspices
of the New York Association for the
Protection of American industry. The
great hall was so crowded that it was
almost impossible to find standing room.
Peter Cooper presided, assisted by Will
lam E. Dodge.
Mr.. Cooper said he was glad to see the
attention of the American people fixed
on the question of free trade and pro-
lection. The free traders Of other
countries have tried to persuade this
nation to adopt their teachings. Should
they be adopted our mechanics would be
forced to work for starvation wages or
abandon their trades and become COM
petitors of agricultural laborers of the
country. Our country would, if those
theories should be put in practice, be
reduced to the condition Of Ireland,
Spain and Mexico. We would produce
the raw materials, and others would do
the manufacturing. Such policywould
bring ruin upon hundreds of thousands
of American Workmen, who have moth
ing to sell but their labor.
William E. Dodge followed, and said
it was time to let the country know what
they want and what they meant to do.
In the South of Wales may be seen in
the great iron foundries men stripped
naked to the waist at their tasks, and
waited on by Welch girls from Is years
of age upward, who work side by side
with the men and those men receive
as wages but pittance of what we pay
in American foundries, where we don't
employ women and girls.
William NJ. Evarts said: The late
elections have proven, if they have
proven anything, that the people are to
be the masters that extravaganza and
willful misuse of public money by'public
servants must be stopped. When an
issue comes between the people and
their representatives, there can be no
question as to the manner in which it
will be determined.
Resolutions were adopted which recite
the immense advantage of Great Britain
in any competition with other countries,
and the fact that the continental powers
have found it necessary to protect them
selves by tariffs, and the further consid-
Grafton that the United States, on account
of the vacillating policy of legislation
and the higher prices of labor, is unable
to compete; therefore
Resolved, That the giving of adequate
protection to American industry and of
steady and profitable employment to all
laborers of the United States is the true
American policy.
Resolved, That in view of the exces-
sive amount Of revenue now collected
by means Of imports and excise duties
and taxes, it is deemed incumbent on
the present congress to reduce the same
and to reduce the duties in the direction
indicated by the report of the tariff com,
mission within reasonable limits, Sc as
to prevent imprudence in expenditures
and that this should be so done as to give
adequate protection to our own industries
and labor against destructive and pauper
izing competition from abroad.
Resolved, That we are in favor of res
toring ocean navigation under our flag tc
the position required by the exigencies
of trade, commerce and manufacture
and the advantage and safety of the
country, but in Americap- built ships
and that it is one of the highest duties
of congress to place the great industry
of American ship-building on founda,
ton necessary for successful competition
with the world at large. III
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