The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-09-15
Twenty Strong Reasons Why Pro
lection Fails to Raise Wages.

The Young Mems Democratic Club. of Boston has
issued little slip containing Twenty reasons why
II is not true that high tariff makes high wages"
The slips are for distribution more particularly
among the workingmen. Below are The twenty
tariff reasons
/. Because to say that wage earners as body can
increase their wages by paying high tariff taxes
which fall mainly upon them, is TO say that man
can increase his wealth by picking his own pocket.
, Because the value OF wages consists not in
money, but in the articles which money buys, and
the express object of high tariff is TO make these
articles dear, thus decreasing the real reward Of
labor.
g. Because the high tariff policy, while taxing the
wage Garner upon nearly everything that he has to
buy gives him no protection upon the only thing he
has 70 sell We have free trade in human labor.
4. Because wages represent the wage earneris
share of what he himself produces. and are high or
low according as his production is large or small.
.. Because the wages of even the one wage Garner
out of ten claimed TO be protected are determined
by general causes rather than by the tariff.
6. because If high tariff raises wages at all, its
first and greatest effect must be in the protected"
industries whereas the rate wages is considerably
lower in these industries than in the unprotected
ones,
T. Because the high rate of wages in the United
States is due to other causes than high tariff, such
the extent of unsettled territory the large returns
OF agriculture, the natural resources of the country
the extensive use of improved machinery the intel
ligence and energy OF the working population, and
the greater efficiency OF their labor.
s. Because at least nine wage earners ont of every
ten In this country are engaged in occupations not
subject TO the competition OF foreign iniportations,
that the rate of wages which they receive cannot
be in any degree dependent high tariff.
Q. Because hlgh tarlH upon raw material raiseS
the cost of manufacturing, restricts the market for
goods and prevents the manufacturer from paying
as high wages as he would have to if his materials
were free.
This country in the low tariff period between lS5Oand
1874 than il ever has since under high tariff.
Ii. Because wages were high in the United States
compared with those paid in other countries before
il ever had a high tariff or any tariff
u Because China has enjoyed for thousands OF
wears the full benefits OF high tariff protection -
ha her wages for skilled labor are 20 cents Il av
and Chinese immigration in search of higher wages
mas become menace to American wage carriers.
rates OF wages paid in different parts of this country
ali subject to the same high tariff. than between
rates OF wages in Massachusetts and England.
ID BECAUSE the rate of wages has increased from
"a :, ,n9 ,ar cent in England since She shandoned
the high tariff policy, and because her wages
from 81 10 100 per cent higher than in the high tariff
countries of continental Europe.
49, Because high tariff fosters trusts and other
Concentrations of capital for raising the price OF
everything but labor and destroys that competition
for labor between different employers which Is the
great agency in raising its wages.
49, Because IL the manufacturer really believed
that high tariff compelled him to pay high wages
he would be q low tarin man.
n because the manufacturer does not raise his
rate of wages when he gets higher tariff duty upon
his product; the manufacturer who makes large
profits out Of the tariff can undoubtedly pay high
wages but he doesn't
Is Because the average amount of wages paid bv
the protected manufacturer in the production OF 81
worth Of goods is less than 20 cents while the aver
age tariff tax is AZ cents, leaving q cents for the
profits OF the manufacturer and the extra cost OF raw
materials due 70 the tariff
49, Because the theory that high tariff makes
high wages is principally advanced TO men who have
never shown any sympathy with legislation to pro-
mote the welfare OF the wage earners by doctrinaire
protectonists political parsans and manufactnr els
who have selfish interest of their own.
20. Because this theory Is opposed By the Demo-
cratic party made up principally of wage Carners.
and ever seeking 70 promote their true Interests