New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-05
people of the Nation uphold and approve such
a course. they make it their own, but will they
JyDIT 1T WORHS.


Riding in the cars. a few days ago, mer-
chant of this city was explaining his objection
to the Mills bill. 1t would reduce the cost OF
goods somewhat, he thought, but the agents OF
foreign manufacturers and their drlmmers,
who would then go about the country seeking
orders would be able to undersell business men
in his own and many departments ana drive
them out of trade. In front of him sat sub
stantal looking workinglnan, who presently
turned and said 81 am foreman OF the -
works at -, where we have 200 men en-
poyed. nearly all Of whom voted for Cleve-
land in 1884. Not long ago the owners of the
works called us together, and made plain
statement Of their business for the last few
years, showing that they had been able to
make a slender but living profit selling goods
at current prices and paying current wages;
that the proposed reduction of duties would OF
necessity close the works, unless there should
be a reduction of wages, and then saying that
it seemed to them the wOrHngmen had the
same interest in this question with themselves.
We have talked the matter over, and nearly
every one of us will vote for Harrison and
protection"
his casual CONVERSATIONS NHi'h was i'u III
tended to be reported, shows how employers
and employed are examining the Democratic
Tariff bill in all the manufacturing States.
The conferences are for mutual interest, and
there is no coercion about them. Every
sensible employer knows that he cannot coerce
the votes of his employees if he would, and that
he throws away all power to convince their
reason if he ATTEMPTS to control their votes in
any other way than by legitimate argument.
Men Of sense. therefore, are taking the work
ingmen into their counsel. showing them just
what the business pays with wages and duties
where they are, and what would be the effect
of proposed change Of duty. The theoretical
discussions in speeches. papers and pamphlets
have but little weight compared with these
personal explanations. When man sees that
lower duties mean no work or lower wages for
him, he is prepared to understand that lower
wages or no work for millions OF workingmen
throughout the country would not promote its
prosperity.
just here Democrats lift up their hands in
affected horror. and object that it is degrading
and demoralizing to appeal to the selfish in
tercSt,v of men. and that n lOfticr and nobler
policy is hat which deliberately sacrifices the
interests of The few for the good of the many.
But the truth is that the many and the few are
one in this case. Each change Of duty by IL
self affects only few. All Of them together
affect everybody If each votes with intell-
gent regard for his own industry and IFS pros
perity. all will vote with intelligent regard for
the prosperity Of all industries. For the wei
Oh all
of each and all to consume literally Of the
fruits Of others labor, and that depends upon
the full employment and fair wages Of each
and all. and these depend upon the wisdom of
each and all in defending their own and all
other interests against destructive foreign COM
peitiOn.