Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-04-04

thar, for every cent the necessaries OF life
would be reduced by an unrestricted trade,
the wages, of cur mechanics would be re-
duced dime?
Ans: Third--It is not reasonable to sup
pose that, with reduction in the cost OF
the necessities Of lie, wages would undergo
q still greater reduction AS We have stated
above, we think there would be no decline
In wsges, a. these are controlled by the de-
mand for labor, and with frser opportuni.
ties for trade the demand for labor would
increase, and not decrease.
4. Does the Herald believe ii to be owing
wholly 10 an elective franchise that the
poorest homes in this country, with inhn'
ilesimal exceptions, are provided win
what in any foreign land under the sun
would be considered extravsgant luxuriesE
Fourth-The Herald believes that the
elective franchise has precious little to do
with the domestic condition of the poor OF
this country. The establishment OF re-
publican form of government in Greenland
or Patagonia 40 nd not make the people Oh
those two countries prosperous, or enable
them to get large wages for each DAYS
work. II is the natural resources OF TINS
country that have made these improve
ments possible.
S. Is il DOS ible the Herald can believe
that the homes of the common people,
even in the most favored lands, can com
pare with those in this country?
Fifth-The Herald has never Drawn
comparison between the homes OF the
common people in this and other countries
to the disadvantage OF the former; but II
will say that there is not that difference
between the condition Of English and
American operatives that many people
here are disposed t. believe. But the
question of com for table homes has nothing
whatsoever TO do with the tariff. The con-
dition OF our people is no more comfortable
than the condition OF the people OF New
South Wales, where the average rate OF
iuty, on the few articles that pay DUTY,
is less than 10 per cent ad valorem. Con
sidering its isolated condition and the dlt'
6culties encountered in carrying on q d.
rect trade with the rest OF the world, this
colony Is progressing at an even more
rapid rate than the United States in all
those elements that make country great
aud inure to the advantage OF its citizens.
6. Can the Herald tell its readers why
| il is that English Manufacturers are so IN
terested in our tariff legislation that they
are putting out their money so freely IN
lobbying and in substituting our political
papers?
sixth-The Herald would say that II the
English manufacturers are spending
money freely in subsidizing papers and IN
.obbyir GAN assertion which is wholly
without proof, and which no one except
interests d protectionists effect to believe
they are merely following the methods
adopted by the business men in the United
States, who will send drummers securing
over the country for the purpose OF beat
| ing up trade, and who, when they are de-
,irous of selling some OF their productions
| in foreign countries, as, for example
| An ericar salt pIrk, 10 not hesitate to
| spend money freely in encouraging-as
| they have in France-a popular agitation
| fayoring the repeal of restrictive laws. No
| one is such fool as not TO make market
| for his goods, II he can find one; but we
fancy that if the English ever spent money
here, they found out long ago that 1t was u
| losing operation to attempt TO change
faulty public opinion in this manner,
7Isit not a fact that there is recipro
| city of interests between the manufactur-
| ing and agricultural communities OF TINS
| country, SO that If the wages OF the former
we're reduced, 1t must necessarily reduce
| the latter?
Seyenth-TheTe is a reciprocity OF inter-
esis, but not Of the character supposed by
| our correspondent. The wages OF the mill
operatives and others of that class might
be reduced to half OF their present dimen-
sIous without materially affecting the
wages of the farmers, as was proved during
The time OF depression from 1874 to 1878
| On the other hand, if, in consequence oil
adverse conditions in trade or weather, the
wsges of those engaged in the unprotected
| industry of farming were to be reduced, 1t
would have. other things being equal, an
enormous effect upon the manufacturing
portion Of the country. In other words, al
| The present time the unprotected farming
| INTERESTS control the wages OF the country.
| This industry gives that demand for labor
which compels the employers of working.
men all over the country to pay them Well
| for their services.
8, Does the Herald really think it is a
| Aigh tariff that has injured our commerce,
| ard does it suppose that, with money
worth from 6 to 10 per cent, our capital
| SITS will try to compete with English cap
| iIal at per cent, and whose sailors Will
work for two thirds what an American
| Sill?
1t is possible our educational facilities
may be the means of keeping our young
| men of spirit from entering upon life OF
| the most menisl drudgery upon the sea- II
SO, we say God be praised.
Eighth-Tne Herald not only thinks, but
knows, that it was the high tariff that in.
| iured our commerce. and it is also aware
hat when the market rates OF money In
Boston and New York are quoted at 2H
per cent, and the government is contem-
plating floating q great loan on this par
centage Of interest, it will not do 10 say
hat capitalists here expect to get two or
three times as much for their money q.
capitalists in England are satisfied in re-
ceiving. We competed successfully
~ith England on the seas VIII -
lie rates of interest were vastly
| II ore in our disfavOr taan they are al
| re present time. Neither is il a question
f ailors. There has been no class Of < ~
uiI 9 American sailors for long tins past
| S.a captains and ship owners are Compel
| ed to pick up their crews wherever they
| CsD, and there is no reason why an Amer
| can skipper could not supply himself with
a crew in Hong Kong, San Francisco or
Liverpool at as low a price as an English
| skipper. There is no profit in the busi-
ness, from the high cost OF ships and the
| limitations otherwise put upon the bust
| ness by Congress. For this reason, those
Who have obtained the advantages OF our
educational facilities, and who are OF a
class that formerly won honor aud reward
the merchant service of this country,
now seek other ayocstions, which are per
hsps just as dissgreesble and hard as the
lfe OF sailor.
9 And, finally, is it not rather an evil
| .ierce of our thrift, and is it not far better
| ior our country and more remunerative
;ur our people that capitalists should pu,
heir money into our protected indus
trits" on the land, and is 1t not this that
-nahles US to point with pride to land
>urfeited as it is almost with the evidences
f prosperity on every hand?