National Republican., 1888-04-04
mnw To l,chmcc tic Smrrims.


Yesterday morning the NATIONAL BGrrB-
LiCAN contained the following dispItcu from
Richmond, Virginia:
Two Richmond manufacturers who have
been totlc southern states looking for trade
report that drummcrs from u German house
are supplying goods tu dealers direct from
Germany NJ lower rates than Richmond houses
can furnish them. although The tariff Is thirty
live per cent ON them, This city will make no
further effort TO compete with Germany in
rarcr goods unless the tariff is increased or
the wages Of wurkmru are cut down " Il mere
pittancc.
These manufacturers employ number of
worLmcn who are dependent on the wages
they receive for the means to procure com
roltablc shelter and purchase food and
clothing. The fact that they receive good
wages enables them to buy of the products
of tie farm and loom such articles as are
necessary to live comfortably,
If German competition cOmpcls the cm-
plOycrs To cease manufacturing, these work,
ing men and women will be thrown uut Of
employment and have To- sCcl, In some other
channel the money To enable them to live.
Mr.. Mills, in his report on the Hlministra-
tion tariff bill. presented to Congress the
same day this dispatch was written. says
There are many other articles which ought
To he placed ON the free lit, and numbers in
which the duties should he s'il further re
duccd."
This is an authoritative declaration Of
Democratic policy. II is in strict accord
with President Clcvclaud's message, with
Secretaries Manning ana Failchild's re-
potts, and with Mr. Curlislc's speech when
elected Speaker Aud these men represent
Democratic ideas.
When Henry W0ttcrsOn, Frank llurd.
"ParScc' Moore, and Democrats Of that
class without power were shouting for free
trade there was no apparent danger tr the
American workingman. But when q Demo-
cratic President and his Secretaries and a
Democratic Speaker Of the House declare in
favor of this damnablc doctrine there is dan.
ger.
When free trade Speaker stocks a com
mittcc of ways and means as deity rs the
most expert gambler ever did deck of
cards in favor Of free trade bill and when
the administration Uses the tremendous
power of its immense patronage to drdgOon
representatives. into the support of this
measure, then The danger becomes imminent
and alarming,
That is the present condition. suppose
these men should succeed, whore are these
Richmond working men and women to OBJ
tain work. England France, Belgium,
Germany, Austria, Italy will become the
workshops Of America or the wages of the
American workers must be reduced to the
standard in these countries.
What these wages are and how the working
men and women of these countries live have
been more than once shown in the columns
uf the NATIONAL RErUBIICAS. How do
the voters Of the country like the Barue-
eide feast to which these Democratic free
traders invite thcmy
To this complexion II must come at last.
Either the american doctrine of protection
| must he maintained or the wages Of Amer
| lean workers must he reduced to the free
trade standard. When that is done there
will he no difficulty about the surplus in
the treasury. There will he no money to
pay taxes, and no surplus in the treasury
or IN the pockets Of the people.