Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-04-23
AWorkipgman's Way Of Looking at
the farin.
WHEELING, April Is.
To he Elltor Of the Reqister.

To the Editor Of the Register.
DEAR SIR humbly Deg permission
through your columns to ask the brilliant
Economist that presides over the Four
teenth street affair a few questions. There
are some things in connection with our
present system of protection cannot I'M
derstand. yearn for information, and |
feel from the depths of my heart that the
Young man, in his infinite goodness and
wisdom, can and will give me that infor-
nation. In the first place cannot COM
prehend that startling, yet am told, very
beautiful, economic paradox as taught by
the HqteNigencer. That it is most
terrible evil to our peo2leto import
an article bailed and stamped, yet
it is highly beneficial to import
it alive and kicking. Now, I mean
no disrespect TO the emigrant and
would be sorry TO give offense, yet as
protection seems TO be the thing it would
be well for all to thoroughly understand
its many sided phases. And again pardon
NY weak brain that must needs poster bet
ter men with foolish questions. But why
is il the IuteiiigeHccr, paper that has al
ways protested TO be filled up with love 10.
the wOrkingman, persists IN only giving
one side OF the question TO its readers, ana
will promptly cOnSgn 10 the waste basket
an article that GareS 10 question the vdhd'
ity Of these tine sounding pieces we hear
from DAY 10 day, welcoming the pennilesS
emigrant as a source Of great wealth 10 our
J eople? Surely the working people OF this
country, il matters moi whether they be
native born or foreign, would not object 70
the discussion OF question, riSlt com
prekensiOn OF which might lead to the
adoption Of measures that would increase
their material wealth. Next, does not our
present system Of protection simply pro-
tect American capital from the competi-
tiun OF British capital, vet allows European
LABOR To compete, by emigration, with Am
eriCan labor.
What does our present system'Of prOtac-
ton mean when ii allowed the King
Bros. and Swindell, the prOprietOrs OF two
glaSs.making concerns in Baltimore, -
send 10 Belgium to hire and impor; work
men 20 take the places Of American work
m who had struck for an ad?a2ce IN
wages?
Are not the manufacturers in the United
States to day setting pri 'es not in prOpOrt on
IL the cost of manufacturing. butin proper.
tiOn to the demands OF a cOerced market?
And has not this high tariff, after shutting
out all imported Cheap-priced goods, yet
leaving open facilities for manufacturers
to obtsin almost unlimited supplies Of the
very cheapest labor, so raised the p ohts IN
MANY industries that it has inGnced so
much additional capital TO go in the same
employment that the market is suddenly
oyer>iOcked? Then. instead of the Almost
ruinOus competitor that wOulG be expect
ed associations or consultations are
formed, Stouages are ORDERED and the pHO'
pie OF this country are forced To furnish
dividends on capital that is practically
dead.
The EielEgcn~r some time ago made the
remark that the day will come when pro
lection will be no longer necessary. Will
the HtCilgeuc,r please state for the benefit
of its readers. especially the working pOr-
lion, when that day will be.
While | admit that through our present
system our skilled wOrkmen apparently
get higher wages than their European
brethren. vet the principal question Is, has
the large price charged and received by
our manufacturers been prOportiOuately
redistrihutcd. ! think not, | was a Pro-
teCtionist and would have remained one
till death had received my full portion OF
the plumber: had |. labOrer, been seated
at the banquet with the host, and al
lowed my Just share of the abundance
therefor then, would my we'll filled glass
have Clinked right merrily in good fellow
ship with all. But when | am forced t.
sit with Lazarus and feed on fallen crumbs
that the gorgeous g'uttOns, with all their
Unsuitable hOgishness, cannot help let fall
then not possessing the mild pacific charac-
ter of my ancient prototype, an preferring
nv reward on this earth in preference to
taking up my final abode in Abraham's
bosom. l do most emphatically object,
and will continue TO do so until am shown
that my objections are unfOunded, and In
the end trust the LtisNigeRcer will give
the information | crave and answer the
questions in the same kind, Christian
splrlt in which they are asked.
Yours Respectfully,
Cn,o S,rrrrr