The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-06
CONGRESS- AND OUR INDUSTRIES.

ing interests of Indiana that men representing
those interests be returned to Congress, The
industries of this State have sprung up almost
wholly under the encouragement offered by
protection; shops and mills have been built
plants put in, thousands Of men employed,
and wages fixed in accordance with the advan-
tages offered by the tariff levied on imports.
The great glass works at New Albany the
wagon and plow works at Mishawaka and
South Bend, the nail works at Greencastle
and .Terre Haute, the car works at Indianapo-
lis and Lafayette have sprung up and attained
their present dimensions almost wholly under
protection, The wages paid in each and all of
them are from so to 100 per cent higher than
those paid workinen in corresponding trades
in England and in continental Europe. If
they are reasonably busy and prosperous to-
day, it is only because the wall of protection
pauper paid labor in otler lands The thou
sands Of men who are employed in the mechan-
ical industries of this State are just that many
good patrons of Indiana farmers. They eat
bread made from wheat grown largely in 1ndi-
ana. They pay taxes in Indiana, as
do the mill owners on all their
possessions, and every dollar gained to en-
ployer and employee is dollar added to the
material wealth of the State The interests of
the Indiana farmer and Indiana mechanic are
thoroughly interviewer. 1t is impossible to
separate them. Shut up or cripple the manu-
factories of this State, and there is not
farmer from one end of it to the other but
would Immediately feel the effect, In 1880
there were II, 1913 manufacturing establish
ments in Indiana, giving employment to
nearly 900 workmen. Of capital invested
there was 500, 742, 962 the total amount of
wages paid during the year being nearly 1922
900, 600 and the products of the mills were
valued at $14S, DOG, AL. From these data it is
safe to say that there is now invested in man
ufactures in this State not less than $75, 000,-
| 900, giving employment to S., 900 people. 1t
will be conceded that the maintenance of
these enterprises is of vast Importance to the
State, adding as they do, millions annually to
the wealth of Indiana
In the district embracing the capital Of the
State the issue is squarely drawn in the con
gressional campaign. Mr.. Peelle stands I'M
qualifedly pledged to do all in his power to
serve the Il, 900 workingmen employed here
in manufacture, and to consistently and per-
sistently cast his vote in opposi-
ton to all efforts to place the
workingmen of the indianapolis dis
trict on a level with those in countries from
which half million flee annually to find
homes i'll America Mr.. Bynum, on the con-
trary. is known to be hostile to the idea of
protection, and has placed his opposition OH
record by writing pamphlet for free trade.
Despite the fact that imports to the value of
$625, 600, 900 were received in this country
last year, Mr. Bynum is of opinion that the
facilities for buying of other than American
manufacture should be extended Had he
been in Congress last May he would undoubt-
eddy have voted for the Morrison bill, in com
pany with the l52 Democrats who put them
selves on record as in favor of the British free
| trade idea If the voters of this district want
to put a clog on the $11, 900, 600 invested in
manufactures in the counties Of Marion, Shell
by and Hancock, with every probability of
sending adrift the 900 workingmen en-
ployed in them, they can experiment with it
by electing Mr.. Bynum. If, on the contrary,
they don't care to endanger the home market
by ruthlessly and needlessly imperiling its
stability and proftableness they must make
up their minds not only to vote for Mr.. Peelle,
but to see that he is elected Mr.. Bynum is
thoroughly in sympathy with the Democratic
party in its British free-trade belief, and
would undoubtedly do all in his power
to compel the workingmen of this country to
come to the low level of English operatives,
not one in hundred of whom own property,
and but few escape the misery of hunger and
distress while laboring night and day. 1t
was only last MAY that 1872 Democrats put
themselves on record as believing that Amer
lean mechanics are receiving too big pay; that
it must be reduced, and in order to compel
such reduction the Morrison bill was drawn
for the purpose of reducing the tariff by
twenty per cent, measure confessedlv look
ing toward the speedy approach of absolute
free trade. Mr.. Peelle, true to his pledges
and to the spirit of the Republican party, put
himself record as opposing that measure
in all its stages. He will be as firm in the
defense of American interests when he returns