St. Paul daily globe., 1888-07-30
An Explanation Of It's Opera
ti0ns ON Our National
Industries.
There Is No Free Trade to.
Be Found in the
Bill.
Labor Protected and the
NeeesSariiees of Life Made
Cheaper.
Larger Wages, and the Sup
ply Of Home Markets by
Home Labor.

The provisions of the Mills bill, as
amended and passed by the lower house,
do not radically change the general
scope of the measure as outlined by it's
framer in his Introductory speech. The
fundamental idea of the bill is to pro-
mote the prosperity Of the masses of
the people without impairing in any
vital part the actual protection afforded
to any industry in which the element 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 figure as
will afford the laborers protection and
the manufacturers legitimate margin
of profit. In other words, the duty upon
the manufactured woolen article more
nearly represents the difference be-
tween the wages paid in this country
and abroad. This so is obviously in the
interest of consumers, among whom
every laborer's family is classed, as to
need no explanation to men of impair
tlal mind. With arw wool free to the
employers of wool workers it is inevita-
ble, under normal conditions. that la
more steadily employed.
THE TAX ON COPPER AND BRASS.
Copper ore, which is now taxed roper
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 benefit of
the Michigan millionaires, who have
paid their workmen ridiculouSly in
significant portion of their profits. The
sentiment with regard to free cop
per among the Western members out
side Of the Badger state was tersely
stated by Congressman Brown, of In
diana, who said in the house: II would
make copper ore free as quick as light
ming" This declaration elected
marked applause, partly because of it's
apparent justicesbut more especially
because Mr.. Brown is a Republican and
protectionist.
Manufactured brasses are reduced
only 5 per cent. Into these the element
of labor enters more largely, and the
duty is we'll maintained in order that
American laborerS may be protected.
With the duty at the rate provided in
the bill there will be no excuse for any
reduction in the wages of the brass
workers. Although the manufacturers
may not make millions IN year, they
will still have a fair return on capital
invested, land almost certainly Steadier
demand for their wares.
THE UBIQUITOUS LUMBER TAX.
MllliOnaireS represent 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, pro-
tected always by high duties, but pay
ing pltileSSly low wages to the impov-
eriShed wOOdSmen who did the work.
Every man who has used stick or
plank in building home for. his wife
and little ones has helped to increase
the fabulous wealth of the Algers, the
Stockbridges and the Sawyers. If the
Mills bill becomes law lumber will be
free, its 20 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 5
per cent from the rates in the present
tariff. thus giving to workers in wood
larger measure of protection than at the
present time. The operators most af-
fected by the placing of lumber on the
free liSt-thOSe of the great Northwest
have reaped the benefit of our pro-
tective system while actually hiring
hundreds of Canadian half-breeds and
Indians as wOOdmen at wages lower
than those paid to Hungarians by the
protected industries of the Eastern
states.