Daily Republican., 1884-05-24
Labor and the Tariff

ous state than the period covering the
last twenty years. All this time the
country has been under the dominance
of the Republican party and in all that
time a protective tariff has been in
operation. 1t would take volumes to
tell of the progress and prosperity OF
the country in that time and the his.
tOrian is better qualified to do that than
we are. Through all this era of pros
perity, trade, commerce and railroad
building the Democratic party has been
incapable of establishing a leading
policy of its own and served its pur-
pose best by objecting to whatever the
Republican party proposed.
When the latter was for carrying on
an active war for the defence of the
Union, the Democrats were for peace at
any price. When the Republican par
sy favored national banks and sound
money the Democratic party favored
rag and in nearly every instance
whatever reform policy was adopted
for the public good,w was opposed by the
Democratic party.
Now, the system Of protection to
American industries and labor is at
tackled by this self same party, and
were it not that some Democrats from
manufacturing districts, almost placed
themselves outside the pale of their
party to oppose their party's dictates,
the results Of the tariff agitation at this
time might have been most disastrous
in their consequences.
There seems to be no rubbing the fact
out that the defeat of the Democratic
party means protection for American
labor. 1t is a fact that cannot be sue
cessfully contradicted that whenever a
Democratic Congress is elected manu-.
featuring Industries lose vigor and con-
tidence, and there isa corresponding in,
crease of labor troubles and decrease OF
labor wages. 1t is fact also that can.
not be contradicted, that when this
present Democratic Congress was elect.
cd manufacturing establi hments began
to close at once and ever since thel
there has been more than the usua
amount of labor troubles all over the
country. What is to be more noticed
at the present time is that as soon as
the Morrison horizontal tariff reduction
bill was defeated by combination o
Republicans and tariff Democrats, busi-
ness began to revive again, and ther,
is a noticeable Improvement in til,
condition of labor In proof of this W,
have the cheering news from the irol
industries of Pittsburg yesterday tha
there would be no reduction in til,
prices of labor as had been contempla
ted. The great depression Of prices
caused by the Offering Of the Morrison
bill, not ouly forced many works tt
close but compelled the manufacturers
generally 10 consider reduction o.
wages necessary. At the conference
between employers and workers some
time ago, the employers frankly stated
that with the market in an unsettled
state produced by the possibility of q
Democratic tariff revision, they coulG
not hold out without loss at the present
rate Of wages and would be compelled
less wages would be reduced. The
men Oh the other hand were not willing
TO accept lower wages and in their as
sociatiOn they resolved to strike in q
body if the reduction should be made
They also looked upon the cdettat Of the
Morrison bill as necessary to the sue
cess Of their demands, and not few O
them frankly admitted that if the bill
should pass they would be Obliged tt
yield.
But the Morrison bill was beaten
and ii is stated that that very night one
of the leading manufacturers announced
to the other that, under the change o.
circumstances he should not be willing
TO insist upon the reduction of wages
contemplated. 1t is evident that manu-
factures could not afford to pay present
wages if the markets were 10 continue
depressed by free trade revisions Of the
tariff and raids upon industries. Bu1
as soon as the Morrison revision bill
was killed and there was no more dan
ger Of its revival the trouble between
l.
wOrkin-,ran can fail to see that the de
feat OF the mischievous Morrison bill
has prevented long period of suspen
sion. Assuming that the strike haC
one been inaugurated, would have last
ed six months, and have kept abou
1OO, 900 men in idleness, the defeat o
that bill has saved to the workngnel
at least 500, ,OO0,O 900, and to the employ
Ers large sum besides.
Yet it seems strange how working
men of Democratic prOclivities cling T.
their party, even though that part.
favors free trade, and would strik
down that very principle of protectio,
that gives them labor and remunerativ
wages. There is no accounting for tn
tcnacity with which Democratic work
men cling TO their party even long afte
ii has shown itself to be in league wit
down American industries, aud to d.
grade American labor.
OLD Mr.. English, who figured 0
the Democratic ticket in 1850 as n car
ddate for the Vice Presidency, succeed
sd yesterday in OuSting Mr.. pcelle fror
his seat in Congress, to which he wa
elected, and ia seating his son who wa
not elected. The measure was so uI
popular, however, even with the Demt
Gratis that out Of a Democratic majorit
of eighty in the House, English got II
seat by only three majority. 1t lool
az if the Democrats We're determined I
make Democratic defeat more sure
still farther weakening public conf
dence in its administrative abilities.