Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-09-14
Continued from 6h page.]

hat we can successfully compete with
hem ia foreign markets. In classes of
goods or articles in which superior finish
equires much labor we are able to sell
he higher grades, while the British man
lf~acturers undersell us on the lower
grades, having less labor.
"'I found a much larger amount of
American goods in foreign markets.
Ir. Sargent continued, ethan l expected
0 find. They were of the descriptions
equiring a large proportion of intelligent
abor in their manufacture, and usually
UGH labor as can be assisted by machin-
ry and special tools. In trying to in
reduce American goods to foreign mar
cts the rule l have laid down was found
hold good. In articles requiring a
arge amount of labor and a comparative
small amount of raw material we can
old our own with any foreigners
here the raw material is large in pro-
prtion to the labor the Englishman is on
Pp.
"'Our inability to send abroad the heav-
r goods is a great obstacle to American
ade. In my line | would do much bet
r than | have ever done if | could enter
e markets of the world on even terms
tn every one else for the sale of the
ore common articles Ia farm and fami-
use and some of the heavier goods in
ilders' hardware, such as heavy hinges,
hich foreign merchants say they must
t in England. When they get the bulk
their hardware in England they are
Finclined to divide their orders, even
Pugh they might save something on
E finer goods by ordering here.
Il feel sure hat if we were put on an
uality with England, or nearly on an
uality, in the matter of raw material
business of American manufacture
foreign countries would very largely
frease without any reduction in the rate
TT of what we would save in the cost
raw material would be added to the
sent wages here. If American manu-
turers could have raw materials free,
five years no one would think of ask
for protection in anything. Our
DDS would be found in abundance in
ry market. Our workingmen would
| improving opportunities, chances
i've more cheaply. to earn more mon
to save more, TO get ahead in the
rid faster, to enjoy more comforts, and
improve in education. Foreign work
men can never be as well of as ours.
Pir habits, their traditions, their forms
government make labor abroad less
Peful. less productive than it is here.
: is illustrated right here. Many of
men are of foreign birth. We find
t men who come to this country when
middle life cannot earn any more than
\ do at home however skilled they
be at their trade. Their habits are
ID. They cannot get into our ways or
pit themselves to new methods. On
other hand, young men whose train
is had here, or who will work as we
ct, soon multiply their earning capa-
, outstripping the old men almost
Il the start. They not only earn more
the old men but their work costs US
They do several times as much
k.
Il am convinced in regard to all classes
manufacture that Americans need
no fear of admitting raw material
England cannot flood this market
J fabrics, for the EOS of labor on 8
of cloth is as low here as anywhere
We met our cotton goods all through
a, China and Japan. | saw big cara
of pack mules loaded with Ameri
goods entering Pekin. The brand o.
commission house in Boston who are
is for the Massachusetts manufac
RS was on the goods. There was al
hnce of the effect of free raw mate
saw no American wooden goods
ly foreign country. There never cal
ny such goods exported from thu
ed States until wool is admitted free
convinced that whatever we impor
breign raw materials, we would b,
to pay for them, if they were mad
free, in manufactured goods EN-
ing mechanical labor.
My trips abroad were made to inves
e the competition that might FOLLOW
ided the farmers should insist, as
lmed they would, on buying thei
lies on a free-trade basis in order t
the competition of Eastern cour
in wheat, cotton, and other farr
ucts. | found among the manufa(
g districts in England that, as a gen
rule, although the workmen ther
much lower wages than ours whe
ted by the day or week, yet whe
ted by the piece or by the results G
their employers pay them highe
IS than we pay in America. foun(
INVESTIGATING the cheap labor {
n, China, and India, that on accour
e very small product per man, |;