St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-29

One of the important results of protection
is the effect upon the population OF the
country, which has increased equally with
the increase of wealth. We do not, for a
moment, wish to be understood as support
ing any scheme for the advantage OF one
man or one class of men at the expense OF
another, and we think the producer should
be prOducted as well as the manufacturer.
We must therefore heartily second the
DEMAND FOR IMPORT
duties to be placed upon Scotch wool as
well as upon Scotch wooden goods. Ii we
are to establish manufactures to the end
that we may be independent OF other ma
tons, let us go the whole figure and also
encourage the production OF the raw ma
terial. The time has come for the reduc-
ton if not the abolition of protective duties
on some things so far as the manufacturer
is concerned, but the welfare of the la
bOrer must not be overlooked. He must
not be reduced to the condition of the
European peasantry. The interests of our
laboring population are of far greater I'M
portance than the paltry difference in the
cost of coat. We cannot afford to do
away with our protective duties. Like
modern firearms, though dangerous If not
carefully handled, they are too valuable to
be dispensed with. Thus far we have con-
sidered only the raising of funds. Let US
look for moment at the subject OF expendi-
ture. Every dollar expended in public inn
provement, if not expended with honesty
and judgment, is dollar added to the
wealth of the nation. Every stream rem
dered navigable, every lighthouse estab-
lished, every mountain range tunneled for
a highway of traffic increase, the general
happiness of the people. AS the poor do
the work while those in better clrcum-
stances pay the bills, the result is two
fold good. The country IS improved, and
the laborer provided with occupation. But
in order to have the laboring man reap the
just reward of his toll. we must
by some means exclude the middlemen.
Away with the idea that the government
must have things cheap. The government
should do that which is best for its people.
Every time it undertakes to get cheap
piece of work it strikes blow at the inter
ests of the working class. we have said
that the public money should be expended
with care and to advantage. Let it be paid
to the laborers rather than to the contractor.
A cheap job by contract means poor pay for
the workman, as the contractor takes good
care that his profits are not sacrificed. Never
sble of our own busy; pay them good
wages, see that the work is thoroughly
done. and in the end it will be better for
the people in general if they never again
hear of the contract system. Most espe-
cially is this true of city work. The city
does not want
A CHEAP JOB.
Pay good wages and have the laboring
class happy, prosperous and well employed.
We have no sert labor. We have done
away with slavery. We cannot afford to
reduce wages to as low point that the
laborer will have nothing left after paying
for the support Of his family. That is little
better than state of slavery in which
man has nothing but his living. The ne
groes of the South had that. What is free
dom without the means OF enjoyment? The
most efficient remedy for hard times is pub
lie expenditure. 1t is at such times that
the government should look after the well
fare of the laberer. Those who have prop
erty can care for themselves, for the harder
the times the farther money goes. 1t is
the laborer that suffers, and in what better
way can the government assist him than
by giving him the opportunity Of
earning an honest living by honest work.
Pave the streets, extend the water mains
and sewers, improve our rivers and harbors,
carry forward the work on public buildings
and do not do it by contract. Employ COM
petent overseers and forenen and pay them
good wages, but away with the middleman
and add his profits to the laborers' earnings.
Mark the result. The workman will pur-
chase such things as he needs or desires for
himself and family, Money will thus be
put in circulation, the merchant will pros
per, the factory will start up. In word,
business will revive and the nation enjoy
another season of prosperity.
r, III, CRAFTS.