New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-23
IN FAVOR OF FREE TRADE.
Mr. sgEARMAN,s ARGUMENT CONCLUDED.

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CLAIMING THAT WAGES ARE ADVANCED UNDER
FREE TRADE LAws-PRoPOsED AMENDMENTS
TO THE MORRISON BILL"
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-Thomas G. Shearm an,
of the American Free Trade League and Brooklyn
Reform Club, continued his argument on the Nor
rison Tariff bill before tho Ways and Means Com
mittee to-day His hour contained ninety min
ntes, and he could have spoken twice as long with
out any difficulty. He seemed to enjoy himself
He fairly reveed il figures and what he called
facts and he tossed of free trade arguments Win
a grace and facility which evidently excitod the
admiration of Chairman Morrison and Messrs'
Hurd. Mills, Herbert and Blackburn
Judge Kelley and Mr.. Hewitt were
absent, so Mr. Shearnan lounu
comparatively plain sailing, although MessrS' MS
cock and Russell quietly punctured two OF tree ol
his prettiest bubbles. Continuing his stateinent
about the ratio of labor to the first cost % the
manufactured products, Dir. SheaInan arrived al
the conclusion that il bears the ratio TO rent,
interest profits, etc. that simple interest bears TO
compound interest. Any denial of this
conclusion he said, would lead to
manifest and monstrou7 absurdties. All
this talk about the necessity of duties to protect
labor is designed to deceive American worklngmen,
he declared.
ADVANCING WAGES UNDER FREE TRADE
He denied that British manufacturers desire 80
see the American tariff abolished, and said he knew
from personal conversation with such eminent
EnPlishmen as Joseph Chamberlain that they
feared the repeal Of the tariff would hurt the
British EXPORT trade. Mr.. Hiscock corrected
Mr. Sherman on this point, and Mr..
Russell desired to know why British
manufacturers oppose the colonial tariffs. Mr
Sheaman replied that. the British colonies are not
able to manufacture enough for home consumption,
and their tariffs are therefore barrier to the
British export trade AIr. Sherman boldly de-
clared that free trade would advance the wages of
American workinCmen % per cent, increase the
profits of manufacturers, and reduce the
price of manufactured articles to consumers
On these propositions he became eloquent.
and his demonstrations Of their truth
we're as convincing as those OF Mulberry
Sellers" in regard to his proposed speculation in
hogs and corn In support of his proposition that
a protective tariff depTesses wages while free trade
advances them. Mr. Sherman declHred that since
the free trade policy of Great Britain was adopted
WAGES have increased seventy-ttyt per cent III that
country; that the wages in cotton and wo0lIeh
mapufac higher oday inCreat Britain than
in the United States; that since Germany adopted
the protective system wages have declined through
were visited by Robert =. Porter, and where wages
were advanced the receipt of the news OF his az
rival. Nr Shaarman said that MIR. Porter had failed
TO take into account in his calculations the superior
intelligence and greater productive capacity Of
American workmeD rs compared with those OF
other countries This fact alone rendered
unnecessary compensatory duties in order to equal
ize tie wages scale with thoseof Great Britain.
France and Germany. He declared that the con-
dition of the working classes in Great Britain had
steadily improved since duties were removed, and
that the conditioned an intelligent, sober and in
dustrious woraingman in England to-day
was quite as good as his counterpart
in America. Mr.. Sheaman was not able, however,
to answer satisfactorily MI inquiry for the
reasons why 10000 English worhiugmen sought
homes in the United States last year.
Ilr Shcaman drew picture Of the Improvement
OF the condition of Ireland ucethe free trade policy
was adopted there. Wages have advanced from
100 to 400 per cent aud although the prosperity of
Ireland is not yet all that could be desired
her people are in a more pros
porous condition than over before.
Trishfncu will be glad ~ hear tbs news. 1t is a
fact universally admitted according 10 Ar. shear
man. that wages IN the United states nave fallen
- per cent the last four years lie quoted LIE
TGIBUNr and john Jarrett ~ & authority for the
statement The DIesn depression is due 10 the tar
lU and MIR. Sherman hcieyeS II should at once he
aIcnshed II that could he done, said lie we
uould be willing to have the Government pay
hoanty for a term of years to our lords and mas
t.rs in PENNSYLVANIA lie heartily approves the
Morrison bill but would Ike 20 have il amended so
As to put all metallic ores. scrap iron. wool lumber,
salt lax hemp jutc and tia plate on the free list.
DEMANDING FREE TRADE n TEE NANE OF YOUNG
MN.
Mr.. Bowler, of Eew-York, made short
and earnest speech approving Mr. Shear
mans views. Tariff reductions should be
clearly and clearly made. as TO avoid a crop of
lawsuits. Mr.. BowLer is a young man, and he de
mauded free trade in the nlmc of the young men of
the country who regard tins question as the most
luportant one N politics Some questions by Mr.
Hitcock elected the information that the New-York
Free Trade Club by whose authority Mr.. BOwker's
demand was made. has Ii membership OF about 800,
and that the Kings County Free Trade Club has
about 500 members, thlrty-iive or forty being law
yers 49,,
Mr. Bodine q manufacturer of glass bottles, made
a strong argument m behalf of that industry, and
against any reduction OF duties. The reasons gwen
were substantially the same rs those submitted by
the manufacturers of window glass.
Chairman Morrison is dlslnclned 10 grant any
time for caring bnt 1t probable that the Louisiana
sugar men will be given an opport unity to present
their rea against reduction OF the sugar duties
Representative Cannon, OF Illinois, III whose dis
tIict the fax industry is important one will also
submit a statement in opposition TO the proposed
transfer of lutte butts to the free list