The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-09-28
A QUESTION OF wages.
General Harrison Addresses a
Delegation of Workingmen.
GOOD AND SOUND ARGUMENT.
no the Democrats Hope that When
the Coat is Made Cheaper the
Wages OF the Man Making
1t Will be IEcrensed?"

4NbIhNAIOlloi 4ND'i HNpt' @'' NASAtA tA'
Harrison's visitors to-day came from
Ohio. They came from Hancock and
Allen counties, and numbered several
hundred. A company OF boys in zouave
uniform headed the column to Univer-
sity Park. The weather was cold and
chilly. General Harrison mounted the
platform amidst hearty cheers. The
presentation addresses were made by K.
IL. Holiday, Of Findlay, o., President
of the Veteran club, and II. NJ. Jones,
of Lima, President OF the Republican
club. General Harrison was looking re-
freshed, and spoke with his accustomed
vigor, touching upon wages, the tariff
and paupcr labor. He said in part:
at is said by some Of our opponents
that Protective tariff has no influence
upon wages; that labor in the United
States has nothing to fear from the COM
petition from pauper labor; that in the
contest between pauper labor and high
protected labor, pauper labor was always
driven out. Do such statements rs
these fall in line with the experience
OF these workingmen who are be-
fore me? Cries Of "No., no, and not
at all."l II that is true, then why the
legislative precautions we have wisely
taken rgainst the coming ofpauper labor
to our shores? 1t is because you know,
every one Oi you, that in u contest be-
tween two rival establishments here, or
between two rival countries, that shop
or that country that pays the lowest
wages and so produces most Cheaply, can
command the market II the
products OF foreign mills that pay
low wages are admitted here
without discriminating duties you
know there is only one way to meet
such competition, and that is by reduc-
ing wages in our mills. [Applause.l
They seek to entice you by the sugges-
ton that you can wear cheaper clothing
when free access is given to the products
OF foreign wooden mills. And yet they
mention also that nowju soule Of our
own cities the men, and especially the
women, who are manufacturing the gar.
ments we wear are not getting adequate
wages, and that among some OF them
there is suffering. Do they hope that
when the coat is made cheaper the
wages OF the man or woman who makes
it will be increased? Cries OF "Yes."
The power Of your labor organizations
to secure increased wages is greatest
where there is u large demand for the
product you are making at fair prices.
SOUND ARGUMENT.
You do not strike for better wages on
n falling market. When the mills are
running full time, when there is II full
demand al good prices for the product OF
your toll and when the warehouses are
empty, then your organization may
effectively insist upon increased wages.
Did any OF you ever see one of the or
ganized efforts for better wages succeed
when the mill was running on half time
and there was small demand at falling
prices in the market for the product?
fApplause. The protective system
works with your labor organization
to secure and maintain a Just compensa-
tion for labor. Whenever it becomes
true here rs it it is in some other coun-
tries, that the workingman spends to-day
what he will earn tomorrow, then your
labor organizations will lose their power.
Then the workingman becomes in very
fact part OF the machine he operates.
But when he eats to-day bread that he
earned last week, or last year, then he
may successfully resist any unfair ex-
actions. Applause. do not say that
we have here IN ideal condition. lido not
deny that in connection with some Of our
employments the conditions Of life are
hard. But the practical question is
this: Is not the condition OF our work
ing people on the average comparatively
a great deal better than that of any other
country Applause and cries OF good,
good. ] II 1t is, then you will carefully
scan all these suggestions before you
consent that the work OF foreign work
men shall supply our market now sup.
piled by the products of the hands Of
American workmen."
The General then shook hands with
the visitors, the brass bands meanwhile
giving a concert.
Tonight number OF the Pennsylva.
nia gas men who are in. the city on busi-
ness. accompanied by n delegation Of
local gas men and gas filters, called on
General Harrison at his residence.