The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-07-27


amended and passed by the lower
house, do not radically change the gen.
eral scope of the measure outlined by
its framer in his introductory speech.
The fundamental idea of the bill is to
promote the prosperity of the masses
of the people without impairing in any
vital part the actual protection afford
ed to any industry in which the ele-
ment of labor enters in just proportion.
Raw wool is put upon the free list and
the duty on the manufactured products
has been decreased only to such a fig
ure as will afford the laborers protect
ion and the manufacturers a legitimate
margin of profit. In other words, the
duty upon the manufactured woolen
article more nearlyrepresents the differ
ence between the wages paid in this
country and abroad This is so obvi-
ously in the interest of consumers,
among whom every laborer's family is
classed, as to need no explanation to
men of impartial mind. With raw
wool free to the employers of wool
workers it is inevitable, under normal
conditions, that laborers in this depart
ment should be more steadily employ
ed.
THE TAX ON COPPER AND BRASS.
Copper ore, which is now taxed sew
enty per cent, is also placed upon the
free list. This tax upon metal which
enters largely into many manufactures,
has been levied for years for the bene-
fit of the Michigan millionaires, who
have paid their workmen a ridiculously
Insignificant portion of their profits.
The sentiment with regard to free cop
per among the Western members out
side of Michigan was tersely stated by
Congressman Brown, of Indiana, who
said in the House: 81 would make
copper ore free as qnick as lightning"
This declaration ELECTED marked ap-
plause, partly because of its apparent
justice, but more especially because
Mr.. Brown is Republican and pro-
tectionist.
Manufactured brasses are reduced
only five per cent. Into these the ele-
ment of labor enters more largely and
the duty is well maintained in order
that American laborers may be protect
ed. With the duty at the rate provid-
ed in the bill there will be no excuse
for any reduction in the wages of the
brass workers. Although the manu-
facturers may not make millions in a
year, they will still have fair return
on capital invested and almost certain
ly steadier demand for their wares.
THE UBIQUITOUS LUMBER TAX.
Millionaires represent a number of
the Northwestern States in the Senate
chamber. Why should they not
Their enormous fortunes were made in
the lumber business of their sections,
protected always by high duties, but
paying pitilessly low wages to the i'm
poverished woodsmen who did the
work. Every man who has used a
stick or plank IN building home for
his wife and little ones has helped to
increase the fabulous wealth of the AL
gers, the Stockbridges and the Sawyers.
1t the Mills bill becomes a law lumber
will be free, its twenty per cent. duty
being stricken off. But cabinet and
house furniture and the whole line of
manufactures of wood or wood and iron
combined, such as cars and carriages,
sashes, doors and blinds, boats, etc,
are reduced only five per cent. from
the rates in the present tariff, thus Civ
ing to workers iu wood larger meas
ure OF protection than at the present
time. The operators most affected by
the placing of lumber on the free list
those of the great Northwest-haye
reaped the benefit of our protective
system while actually hiring hundreds
OF Canadian half-breeds and Indians