The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-10-29

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LABoRING MAN, READ THIsl-PRo-
TECTIvE TARIFF Nv ANUrSHBLL.
The following, in the shape of circular,
has been scattered throughout the country
particularly in the New England States, and
is the theme of the Republican campaign
speakers everywhere:
American workingmenl do you want
your factories closed. foundry fires put out
looms silenced, business killed, and indus.
tries crlppled2 1t you want any or all OF
these, the surest way is to turn the Govern
ment into the hands Of the opponents of the
tariff, who, by removing the protection with
which the tariff guards the industries OF
America, would food the land with British
and European manufactures to the utter
ruin Of your interests"
To this we reply, Yankee fashion, by ask
ing question: Are not the leading indus
tries of the country now protected By very
high tariff, which in the great boom OF 1879
80, the manufacturers profits were $50 .OOO,O 900
greater than the total amount paid fOr
labor2
In 1880, the total amount paid for labor in
the protected manufactures was S94S, 600, 600.
The profits on this labor was 81 So, 500, 600
being $50, O0O,O in round profits.
Protectionists tell us that the tariff is for
the benefit OF the lsboring man.. Tnis looks
like it, don't it,
The tariff that was in force then is In force
now. This is very significant fact, and
T. 4 Al l. q -
''Why is 1t that to-day so many foundry
fires are put out, factories closed. and looms
silenced2 The Government has not passed
into the hands of the opponents of high
tarih-the Democratic party, so much
dreaded ny you; then why is this the case?
Give US q reason. First, tell us WHO so many
laboring people are out of employment and
the gaunt spectre WaRt again entering their
| doors3
Why is il that the Republican party, the
! proteotionists, are not now pointing the
voters 70 the prosperous times as they did
four years ago, which they claimed was
alone due TO protective tariff and the good
management OF the Republican party, when,
in fact, il was wholly the result of the boun-
tiful crops with which the country had been
blessed for three consecutive years coupled
with good foreign demand for the surplus.
We assert that the only one benefited by q
high tariff is the manufacturer, which fact
we will demonstrate to the entire satisfac-
ton OF every candid and unprejudiced
mind by q simple illustration which will
hold good in all the leading manufactures
protected by high tariff.
Two tons of iron ore make one ton OF pig
iron; the price Of labor to produce this two
tons of ore is 81 20; cost Of labor to produce
amount of pig iron in one ton of bar iron,
1-3 tons; the amount of labor in the pig iron
sufficient to produce the ton of bar iron is
$4.35; cost of labor in a ton of bar iron is
$l3. Totalexpense in producing one ton of
merchantable bar iron, $50 %. This includes
the entire cost of the labor TO produce it,
from taking the crude ore from the earth to
the time 1t leaves the mill a merchantable
article.
Now let us gee. The tariff on ton OF bar
iron is $500, or Sl3 90 more than enough TO
pay for all the labor to produce it.
Now who does this tariff benefit2 The
laborer or the manufacturer The manu-
facturer of course. And this S33. 80 becomes
tax upon the consumer, for the moment
the tariff goes into effect the manufacturer
adds the amount to the price of his iron. but
does not add ono cent more TO the Isborer's
wages. In fact, Il operates to the reverse
frequentlyi for the manufacturer in his
rapid accumulation Of wealth becomes an
arrogant monopolist. How often does 1t oc.
cur when the laborer, who is receiving barely
enough wages TO keep soul and body To-
gether, seeing his employer resping such
immense profits asks him to share fraction
of it with him. by adding few cents more
to the meager wages he is receiving for his
slavish work, ct which the tariff-protectsd
millionaire becomes indignant, and threat.
ems him with the importation of foreign
labor; yes, and how often Is the threat car
ried out2
Again, another result OF high tariff is tc
levy an immense tax upon the consumer
for IL excludes the foreign article, and the
Government IL thereby robbed OF the duty
which the people-the consumers referred
to-haye to make good, for the Government
must be kept up (sud 10 great extravaganza
too, having also 10 pay the amount of THU
prohibItory tariff, which is added to the
price of the articles or necessaries OF Lie
which he is compelled 10 have Thus w
see by high tariff the Government loses the