The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-09-05

market and wa yes of our W country, and
the British system, as represented by the
Democratic party, which would break down
the barriers of protection and throw open
our home market to the productions of for
eign factories and foreign labor, thus making
idle our own toilers and reducing to a lower
level the standardof American wages.
When the knights Of Labor and kindred
organizations shall have obtained in foreign
lands the same commanding position and
influence enjoyed in the United States. the
inequality in wages will disappear, not by
~leveling our wages down, but by leveling
their wages up. It is Ear better to level ap
than TO level down, as the larger the income
the larger the power to consume. Until this
equalization can be accomplished, and until
the wages of labor abroad shall equal those
at home, there must be proper restriction
Of immigration 50 that our land may not be
the dumping ground of the pauper and de-
graded labor Of the balance Of the world.
This restriction, supplemented by a eontinu-
ance Of thorough, systematic organization OF
the labor already here, in conjunction with
the American idea Of protection to Ameri-
can labor. cannot fail to SCENE tor our peo-
pie the best results OF their toll and by our
example lin the labor OF the whole world TO
a higher and better planeof existence.
Whichever party wins, something must be
done to regular more strictly this importa-
ton Of foreign lador under contract and the
immigration of paupers and dependents II
nothing should be done, then Democratic
success would mean % only free trade in
goods made by pauper labor, but the impor-
tation of both the labor and the goods.
While under free trade goods may be cheap
er TO the consumer in certain lines, the labor
made idle in those lines must turn to other
means of employment, and thus by compe-
,iuon compel a lower rate OF wages to those
employed therein.
The power Of a ~workingman 10 consume
depends on what he receives for his labor.
Unemployed, his power to consume, except
on charity or theft, ceases. ! prefer that
America should be a land Of workers rather
than a land Of thieves and paupers. What
is true of the individual Is equally true Of
the Nation. The primary elements of the
Na.ioual wealth and National prosperity are
production. distribution and consumption.
Whatever affects the power of labor to con-
sumo affects the entire interests of the Ma
lion. Whatever lowers the wages Of labor
affects its power to consume. An average
,ol,ctso,w Of = var oa,tuu, N tbs coSt of
goods imported will not compensate Ameri-
can labor for the loss Of 100 per eentum in
wages in the lines affected, and of from 10 to
50 per eentum in wages in the line of en-
ployment by the substitution of the free
trade for the protective system. / hold il 10
be far wiser craftsmanship to build up and
retain our home market by a sstem that
protects American labor than to command q
market in foreign lands secured by the
wholesale degradation and pauperization Of
our own people.
Every dollars worth of labor value i'm
/ ported Is by such a reduction of home Ia
borer's wages. This axiom is not offset by
the declaration that there are more goods in
the imported dollars worth. The position
of the protectionist is rather strengthened by
such a specious representation of the matter,
because the question is then instantly forced
upon every intelligent man. How can
American labor earn dollars If the industry
in which he is experienced is transferred to
foreign lands.
The theory Of protection, advocated by the
Republican party, is the same as the under
lying principle upon which all labor organi-
cations are founded. A friend to organized
labor that believes in organization as a
means 10 enhance and maintain wages can
not consistently oppose a party that applies
to all labor the same principles of protection
from unfair competition that the individual
trade organization gives to the single trade.
Trade organizations do aid in advancing wa
ges in their respective trades, and the pro
tectives system demanded by the Republican
party viii secure for all the toilers in the
land a similar fostering care.
That this is clearly understood by most of
the thinking leaders Of organized labor, is
proved by the declaration recently made in
favor Of the American system and a home
marketby the presiding officers of the organ
i~zations representing the iron and the glass
industries Of the United States. There Is no
better organization Of any one trade than
Steel Workers. There is no trade more
thoroughly organized or better disciplined
than thai of the window glass workers, nor
one in which higher wages are paid. The
warning of the officers representing those
trades against free trade are very significant
aud should be needed.
A careful consideration of all these facts
e~onyinees me thai the present IS a grave
crisis in the political Affairs Of the country,
and that ! have no right to remain silent.
Ny position Is General Secretary OF the
knights Of Lsbor has given nae an intimate
knOwledge of the various phases OF the labor
question. and from the knowledge thus gain
ed, I do not hesitate TO say that the triumph
Of the Democratic party. dominated by in
tolerance in the South and British free trade
sentiment in the North. would be the most
serious blow to organized labor it could pos
sibly receive. ! cannot remain inactive in
such a conflict. Therefore. to you and your
associates on the National Republican Com
mittee, as the representatives of the Repub-
lcan party, ! offer my services in any posi-
ton or capacity where they may be desira-
BILE, or be thought most useful, TO aid in Sc
curing the success OF Harrison and Morton.
the representatives in this campaign of the
American idea Of protection 70 American Ia
Dor.
! have the honor TO remain,
Yours 10 command,
CHARLIE II. LrrcHNsx.
High License IN Minnesota.
ST. PArL, Aug 3.-The Pioneer Pres re-