Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-11-02
FOR WORKINGMEN.
THE MECHANICS STATE C0UN.
Gil On THE ISSUE.
Synopsis of the Address of President
G. b. Merriam-The Working
mans Need of Protection.

G.. B. Merriam, President of the Me-
chanics' State Council, at recent meeting
of that body made an address which was
directed to the voting workingmen of Cali
fornia, and which cannot fail to influence
those to whom it was addressed.
He said: The questions now agitating
the public are of the gravest Importance.
The industries of the nation are seriously
threatened by members of Congress who
are anxious to prelong the lease of the
Democratic party in power by an appeal
tothe voters of the country to sanction their
efforts to open the markets of this nation
to the manufacturers of the world. History
teaches us, even if some of you had not
lived long enough to have learned, that
such course would be most suicidal to all
of the producers of values of the country.
whether they be manufacturers, agriculture
lists or transportationists.
The surprising feature of this question is
that there can be difference of opinion
among otherwise intelligent men on this
point, SO much so that those of us who have
learned by experience the absolute neces-
sity of protecting laws to encourage home
industries, that we must doubt the hon.
esty, the sincerity of those persons who
advocate or countenence any approach, no
matter how remote. to the cannels of free
trade.
1t is impossible to overrate the disas-
trous consequences to the industrial classes
the workingmen for wages, of any reduc-
ton of the protective duties upon imports;
on the contrary, reverse action should be
taken at once; every industry that is
languishing should without delay receive
stimulating legislation, the weak ones
strengthened, the timid encouraged and
the exhausted revived. This is the course
the wise and patriotic legislator would
take.
He (Mr. Cleveland) has had splendid
opportunities for announcing himself the
friend of labor, and taking vigorous action
In Its behalf, bat he is the proved friend
OF the capitalists; he is supported by the
Solid South, which was solid for slavery
and is solid for free trade, and always has
been solid for cheap labor, and always will
be solid with Its bullying aristocrats. And,
gentlemen, let capitalists and the Solid South
elect him.
Upon the conclusion of the Presidents
address, j. W. Duncan offered a set of res
oiutions, in which it was pointed out that
the nearest approximation to equality in
the condition of men was essential to the
highest standard of manhood, and that
such equality can be secured only through
the highest possible rewards for labor.
which can be attained only by protecting
and stimulating American industries.
Following are the resolutions
RtS0lued, That it is the duty of our Govern
ment 70 proteet the labor of its citizens from
the influx OF Aongo!idn, pduper and contract
labor which lowers the standard of our labor
and degrades our civilization.
ResoIued, That American labor in higher de-
gree demands protection from the products of
the poorer paid labor of other countries than il
does from the presence of the laborers from
those countries among US, as without such pro-
lection we have only the unimportant item of
freight to shield us from competition with the
underpaid pauper and servile labor of the
world living under conditions and in a manner
our habits and civilization will not permit us to
live.
RESOLVED, That the charge SO often made that
protection to our industries increases the cost
OF products to the consumer is not true, as facts
and the experience of the last twenty five years
abundantly demonstrates the contrary and we
lind instead of an increase that every protected
article oil our production, such as fron steel,
SioeAlhSi pieHhets carpets, glassware, earthen-
ware, etc. have decreased in price from 20 to so
per cent, while the rate of wages has increased
quite so per cent.
Resolued, That the prosperity of a country
can only be secured by the maintenance of
diversified industries suited in the aggregate to
the trades capacity and tastes of all Of its indus
tIial elements.
Resolued, That the destruction of any industry
drives those employed in it into other occupa-
TONS. thereby lessening the demand for labor
and the rate of wages paid.
The resolutions close by resolving to vote
for the candidates for President and Repre-
sentative to Congress who will work for
such protection as the workingman needs.