St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-06-07
WHO PAYS THE PIPER?

WHO PAYS THE PIPER?
Manufacturers Provide for the
High Tariff Dance at the Peo-
pies Expense.
CourierJ Journal.
The American people are asked to
continue war taxes in time Of peace in
order to sustain our weak and emaciated
industries, and to enable the unfortu-
mates who have their capital invested in
improbable business to exc out a mis-
cradle, poverty-stricken existence.
But now and then the truth leaks out,
as when Gov. Foster addressed his let
ter to manufacturers demanding money
for the coming campaign. In this letter
Gov. Foster says:
81 understand in a general way the
manufacturers of New England have
been more liberal in their con-
trlbutions than those of Pennsyl-
vana. In fact, l have it from
the best possible source that the
manufacturers of Pennsylvania, who
are more highly protected than anybody
else, and who make large fortunes
every year when times are prosperous.
practically give nothing toward the
maintenance of the aScendency OF the
Republican party. OF course, shall
not violate what l consider to be
proper principle of action, but if |
had my way about it | would put
the manufacturers of Pennsylvania
under the fire and fry all the fat out of
them. If the Mills tariff bill comes to
the senate there will be some votes
cast there which will open the eyes of
some of these people who have, while
gathering their millions, treated the
Republican party as their humble ser
vant'
Here we have the principle on which
the Republican party proposes to re-
form the tariff. Manufacturers who
contribute literally are to be fully pro-
tected; they are to be allowed the prlvl-
lege of
MAKING A FORTUNE
in a year; others are to be put under
the fire and all the fat fried out of
them.
For blunt avowal of most despicable
and criminal legislative policy, this
circular is the most remarkable in our
political history.
The scandal following the Credit
Mobilier is nothing compared to this.
Gov. Foster, finding his party cut off
from its assessments of Office-holders,
now turns to the Pennsylvania robber
.,
tribute literally a Republican senate
will fry the fat out of them. This is on
a par with the methods and morals of
the Italian brigandS.
Gov. Foster further says:
cit may not be of your personal
knowledge, but it is fact nevertheless,
that the manufacturers of the United
States, who are most benefited by our
tariff laws, have been the least willing
to contribute to the success of the
part which gave them protection"
In support of this view he
quotes some very fOrcible observations
by Republican senator, in which the
''craveral (sic) parSimony" of the pro-
tected manufacturers is rOundlY de-
nounced, and the manufacturers them
selves are spoken of as linen who are
getting practically the sole benefit, or
at least the most directly important
benefits, of the tariff laws"
Now we are getting at ''factS, not
theories" 1t is not fact that the work
ingmen or that the
CONSUMER Is BENEFITED
by the tariff, but that the Pennsylvania
manufacturers, who with 'cravenal"
parsimony refuse to divide, get practic-
ally the sole benefit of the tariff.
Yet in the face of this circular Mr..
Reed will plead for the continuance of
the duty on lumber to protect the labor
ing men. and Mr.. Mckinley will de-
mand higher duty on wool to protect the
consumer. 1t is astounding hypocrisy.
One can imagine an interview be-
tween Mckinley, Reed and Foster
after a debate in the house. The ora
tors come in smiling and repeating the
arguments which they insist will catch
the votes.
"Votes, h-ll," says the practical poll
tician, money talks. The men who
get the sole benefit from the tariff must
be made to put up for the campaign or
you must put the Mills bill through the
senate" 20
But" replies Mr.. Mckinley, 81
have just demonstrated that the wool
growers of Ohio are the chief beneficial
rieS of the tariff" y 3f
"Oh, you have, have you. Mac? Then
you take this subscription paper
through the wool growing counties of
Ohio, with your argument attached, and
see how much money you can raise"
And l." says Reed, ''have just dis
comtited the Democracy by showing
that the tax Oh lumber enables
THE WESTERN FARMER
to build cheaper barns and houses, be-
sides securing good wages to the men in
the lumber camps of Michigan and
Maine"
Very well, then,'' replied the ex-
governor of Ohio, 'you circulate your,
speeches as campaign documents in
Maine, Michigan, and among the farm
ers on the prairie, and follow them with
the subscription paper. A man with
your persuasive powers would
be a phenomenal success as a
financial agent. For myself |
shall spend the summer i'm
bulldozing the manufacturers of Penn
sylvania and Ohio. who, notwithstand-
ing the eloquent sophistries of you two
hypocrites, | believe to be the men
who are getting the sole benefit of the
tariff
This circular of Gov. Foster will make
very valuable campaign document for
the Democrats.