The Portland daily press., 1888-02-10

This table shows over 100 per cent. more
paid for the same labor in the state of Della
ware than is paid for the same labor in Eng
land. The question of reform, as presented
now by Congress, is misleading, and it is
used as means of escaping the real issue. l
do not mean to say that a revision and re-
form Of the tariff are not necessary, but
really there Is no opposition to a reform and
revision OF the tariff. Everybody comedies
it; everybody is willing that it shall be
done. The real question is: Shall reform
and revision of the tariff take place
without any regard to protecting American
industries? Or shall they be done with di-
rect reference to, and full appreciation of,
what is contained in both political platforms
Tor the last presidential race? That is, the
necessity for protecting American labor and
American manufacturing. The friends of
free trade discuss the question, but avoid the
real issue. To be plain and blunt about this
question. there is nothing in 1t except the
question OF wages that is to say, the adop-
tlon OF free trade policy must result in one
OF two things, either breaking up our manu-
featuring industries, because the people will
not work at the wages, or reducing the price
of labor. Much as gentlemen may seek to
avoid it and get around it, there can be no
denial OF the fact with any man who will
the two things must be done if free trade is
adopted. Ii the laboring people cannot be
induced to work at wages paid in England,
for instance, it matters very little with the
manufacturer; but the question: What is
going to become of the labOring peoplep
What are they going to do? Will they quit
work if wages are reduced, as the table read
shows, from 80 to 100 per cent? VIII they
quit work, or will they allow their wages to
be reduced so as to compete with the English
manufacturer?
1t is little difficult to tell what the free
trade element is contending for. They avoid
the discussion, in great measure of wages
and vet the proposition cannot be denied that
if the English people can manufacture goods
with labor that receives from % to 100 per
cent. less than our labor gets, therefore our
manufacturers must, If they continue In busi-
ness and find q market for their goods, re-
duce the price of labor. When free trade
was proposed in England, Sir Robert Peel
who took the lead in 1t, was bold enough to
say that they must make their people work
cheaper, if they controlled the markets of
the world. than the laboring people in the
country where they sold their goods; and it
| is due to the laboring people OF this country
| now that the free traders shall tell them can
| didiy that if free trade is adopted they will
| be obliged to work, If they work at all, in our
| manufacturing industries, at from 80 to 100
per cent. less than what they are working at
| now. | do not believe that our labOring
| people can be brought TO this, / believe the
| great bulk of them would abandon their pur-
suits and go out on the cheap lands and un-
| dertake to make living, and so far as en-
gagged in farming would become competitors
| of the farmer.
So that the whole question is one of wages.
| believe it is the interest of this country that
! the present standard of wages shall be main
tanned, not reduced, and that our laboring
| people shall be kept up VIII any free trader
| come into this community and say that he Is
willing to adopt policy that will reduce the
wages of ali the people in and around Boston
that are getting 81 day down to so and 10
! cents? / have today been through three
factories that altogether give employment to
more than 1O,O 600 people. l find that the aver
age wages paid is about 81. viii these
people work if you offer them 80 to 70 cents ?
| And vet If free trade is adopted that must be
done If the factories arc run. There is no
| escaping it.