Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-04-12
THE TARIFF.
(Co,ain,.ed from first pa9e.)

We have examined the evil and now
we turn to the remedy. 1t is evident
that the remedy must deal with the
tariff, but how? If it were wisdom to
temporiZe, a reduction of the tariff
might be recommended. The need of
protection rests on the assumption OF
the superior efficiency of foreign labor.
It would be liberal to call this efficiency
80 per cent. greater than that of Amer
lean labor, but call it so per cent. If
the cost of labor in wooden goods is 20
per cent of their whole value, then the
tariff necessary to protect American
labor would be 20 per cent.
of so per cent. which would
make the necessary tariff only
10 per cent. The cost of transporta-
ton, insurance, ETC., reaching nearly 5
per cent, would act as an additional
tariff and provide for any contingent
cies. The whole protection afforded
would thus be Is per cent. For this pro-
lection there would be need of a tariff
of 10 per cent. only. The present tariff
is 80 per cent, or SO per cent. more
than needed, even if we assume that
amy protection is necessary. This eX-
ira so per cent, instead of being pro-
lection to the workman, is only rob-
berry, without the shadow of any eX-
cuse. But we would not temporiZe.
We would not prescribe merely a re-
lief. We would recommend no plan
which had not for its ultimate purpose
the total abolition of protective tariff.
For the evil of which this paper treats,
we would prescribe the remedy of free
trade, in the sense of our opponents
excellent definition. This would still
allow the government to collect duties
for revenue, but not for restriction or
so-called protection. ".What ? Would
you remove the tariff and let the
foreign pauper labor in upon us?"
Yes, remove the tariff. AS for the
''pauper labor" every student of
economic history knows that it lasted
only one generation. But we will ac-
cept, again, our opponents terms us
given us, and ask him if he is aware
that wages in many branches are high
er, not lower, in England than in this
country. He may be surprised to
learn that mechanics are emigrating
from this country to England for higher
wages. So much so, that four years
ago, at least, immigration and emigra-
ton were nearly balanced, and that,
too, under our protection. Ought not
England rather to fear our "pauper
labor?" But if this argument is not
allowed, we would turn to another.
Suppose that there is such a thing as
pauper labor, what would be its i'll
effects upon our industriesp No APP
preciable effect at all. The very fact
of its being pauper labor is confession
of its inefficiency. For, if not in
efficient and incapable, it would never
have become pauper labor. Incapable
workmen can never take the place OF
capable wOrkmen, such us Americans
are. According to Mr.. James Means,
the shoe maker of Boston, two work
men using the Mckay sewing machine,
in America will do as much work as
three workmen in England. And yet
all continental Europe breads Eng
land ON account of her efficiency. The
continent cannot compete with her.
Then how can they compete with US !?
We are safe against the competition of
either; since, in the efficiency of labor
we surpass even England. Sehoenh of
gives the following.
TABLE OF THE COMPARATIVECA PACI-
TY OF ONE OPERATIVE IN THE
UNITED STATES, UNITED KING