West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-09-07
When writing on the tariff we

facts and figures: having, in meas
ure, dropped the matter because 9th
ers are doing the work it would take
too much time to hunt up the facts
and figures to answer the Tribune.
But we happen to have before US
the following:
During the tariff debate govern
ment experts calculated the cost of
labor in many of the protected arti-
ticles. For example. In certain
car wheel the cost of labor was S5
cents and the amount of protection
was $3.50. A key of steel nails
costs $2.34; the cost ,or labor in
them is 81 cents; the protection
$l.25. Iron is protected by a duty
Of rs cents u ton. The average cost
of mining iron in Pennsylvania is
60 cents the ton. In 'one county,
Lebanon. it is mined at cost of IL
cents. The labor in ton of pig
iron when it was valued at $3.50
per ton was $2.46 AMI the rate of
duty is $6.72.
These figures repeatedly publish
ed are unquestioned by the Tribune
and other organs Of the protected
millionaircs.
Professor Ely OF the,Johns Hop
lins University near Baltimore has
Just published book On the Tariff.
He says:
An American bricklayer receives
more money a day than Dutch
br;cklaver, but less per 100 bricks.
The operatives in an English silk
mill receive 1925 those in an
American silk mill 50, but the
Americans turn out more yards Of
silk of u higher grade. A German
maker of ladies shoes earned 1898
per week and the American SO, but
the latter turned out more shoes and
per 100 pair, worked cheaper.
Facts, such as these, have been
recently collected aud proved by the
cart-load and yet, in the face OF
such facts, tariff organs like the
/ Tribnse juggle figures and pretend
that protection is for Labor
The writer understands the tariff;
he has studied the subject; he knows
that "A tariff for protection enriches
the rich and impoverishes the poor;
he knows that it bears most heavi
ly on Agriculture and Labor.
The Tribune editorial is printed
elsewhere.
4. We make no boast Of honesty;
we simply have enlightened convict
ions and can afford to express them.
This paper is Published to inculcate
correct views, whereas the ordinary
newspaper is published to make
money. The writer writes to bene
fit the community; as q general
thing professional newspaper man
argues for the side which pays. We
know of number Of Democratic
papers edited by Republicans. The
writer earns his living Independent
OF the DEMoCRAr. He has never re-
ceiyed penny from it and never ex-.
poets to. Why then should not his
editorials be honest In the nature
of the case he can have 70 motive to
advocate that which he does not be
lieye. A man may argue against
his convictions if paid for it; it is
incredible he should do the drudg-
-ery Of writing against his convict
ions simply as a matter of pas
time. We are not asking Office;
why should We court popularity or
shrink from the fear of clamor?
The clamor againstthis paper comes
frem hirelings or from fools; the
one we dcspse the other we pity.
All men are honest in money mat
tiers unless too poor o. too avaricious
to be so. Ali men are honcstin po-
htical opinion nnless warped by a
personal motive or intimidated BY
the rich and powerful. There can
be no reason why these editorials
should not be the honest expression
of those who write them; not that
the writers are more honest tian
other men bnt because, as far as
these columns are concerned. they
are free from influences which make
others Submissive and silent.
A Woman's Discovery.