The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-31

HE MISCONSTRUES TARIFF RE-
FORM FOR FREE TRADE.

rect Use of His Official Position.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30.-Senat1r Quay
of Pennsylvania, chairman Of the repubh-
can national committee, has furnished for
publication a long letter from Charles II.
Litchman, general secretary of the Knights
of Labor, offering his services in any posi-
ton CT capacity where they may be desir
able or thought to be most Useful in secur-
ing The success of Harrison and Morton. His
letter is Il straight out argument f,r protec-
ton. He does not sign his letter officially, nor
does he state in terms that he speaks for t. o
organization, nor offer anything beyond
his individual efforts, but he asserts that
the success of the Democra ic party would
be the most serious blow that organized
labor could possibly receive.
TEXT OF THE LETTER
Following Is the text If the letter:
PHILADELPHIA, PA, Aug %, 1888.
Hon. MatheU y. quay, Chairman Of the Ma
ti0ndt Republican CJntHiittee:
DEAR Shiny connection with the labor
movement for the past fourteen years has
ma .e it tee ssarv for me to be close student of
the causes of labor depression, and of the needs
of those who toll. While as n body tho labor
organizations may refrain from active por'tici-
patton in politics, so much OF what orga nzcd
labor demands must be obtained tnrough
legislation that the individual member of the
labor organization must ut politically as in his
judgment will best aid the aims and objects ex-
pressed in the principles of the organization he
represents and whose success he desires In
the gigantic political struggle now be ~,un side
issues count as nothing, except 10 aid or hinder
one of the principal combatants in the political
arena.
A WASTE OF VOTES.
However sincere may be the advocates of
TO
cal organizations are formed. and whatever
strength in votes may be shown at
the polls, the fact romans that the candi-
date of either the Republican or Democratic
party will be the next President Of the United
States. Therefore to him who has the good Of
hIs country and the welfare of her people at
heart the necessity exists to choose to which Of
these two old party organizations shall
be given his aid, either directly or indirectly. hy
voice or vote. While il NAV he that neither
party offers all that the labor organizations do
sire, | believe that the Republican party, in
adopting and advocating tho American system
of encouragement and protection to the labor
and wages o. our own lGnl, is nearer the
declarations and desires Of organized labor than
It's tree trade opponent, the Democratic party.
MISTAKEN IDEA.
The conflict is between the american system
as represented by the Republican party which
would foster aud encourage the labor of our
own people and retain for them the market and
wages of our own country. ard the British svs-
TEN as presented by the issnoeratc party
which would break down the barriers OF protec-
ton and throw open our home market to the
productions of foreign factories and foreign
labor, thus making idle our own toers and re-
ducing to q lower level the standard of Amer-
can wages. When the Knights Of Labor and
kindred organ cations shall have obtained in
foreign lands the same commanding position
and influence enjoyed in the United States
inequality in wages will disappear not by level
ing our wages down, but by leveling their wages
up.
FAvoRs LEvELING UP.
1t is far better to level up than It Is to level
down, as the larger the income the larger the
power 10 consume. Until this equalization can
be accomplished and until the wages of labor
abroad shall equal t1ose at home, there must be
proper restric! ion of Immigration, that our
land may not be the dumping ground Of the
pauDerS and degraded labor of the balance of the
world. This restriction supplemented by con
tinuation OF the thorough and systematic organ
iZation of labor already here In conjunction
with the American idea of protection to Amer-
can labor, cannot fall to secure for our people
the best results of their toll and by our example
II the labor of the whole world TO a higher and
better plane of existence.
SOMETHING MUST BE DONE.
Which ever party wins something must be
done to regulate more strictly this importation
of foreign labor under contract, aud the immi-
grafton OF paupers and dependents. II nothing
shonld be DONE then democratic success would
mean not only free trnd' in goods made by
paupeT labor, but the importation Of both labor
anu EOOuS. " ullc under IIf33 Liil1e Goods
be cheaper to the cousu nsr 10 certain lines, the
labor made idle in those lines must turn to other
means of employment, aud thus by competition
compel lower rate VI wages 70 those already
employed therein.
The power Of the worlingman to Consume
depends upon what be cves for his labor
Unemployed, his power to consume except on
charity or theft ceases. prefer that America
should be a land OF workers rather tina / a land
of thieves and paupcrs
INDIVIDUAL AND NATION.
What is true of the individual is equally true
of the nation The primary clements Of national
wealth and national prosperity are production,
distribution aud consumption Whatever affects
the power OF labor 10 consume affects the entire
Interests of tue nation. Whatever lowers the
wages OF labor affects its power 10 consume
An average reduction" of Z per centum on the
cost OF goods imported viii not Compensate
American labor for the loss of 100 per centum
in wages la the line affected, aud OF
from 10 to 80 per ceatuin in wages in
the line of employment 10y the substitution
OF free trade for the protective system. | hold
it TO be far wiser craftsmanship 10 build up and
retain our home market by system that pro
tects American labor than 10 command a mar
ket in "a foreign land, secured by the wholesale
degradation and paupeIism Of our own people
LOOKED UPON As A CUT
Every dollars worth Of labor value imported
is by so much Il reduction of the nome laforer's
wages. This axiom is not Offset by the dealar.
alton that there afs more goods IN the ina
ported dollars worth. The position Of the pro
tectlOnlst Is rather strengthened by such a
specious presentation Of the matter because the
question Is then instantly forced upon every in
tellgent man: How can labor earn dollars
IL the industry ia which he is
experienced is transferred 10 foreign lands2
The theory Of projection advocated by the
Republican party il tie same as the underlying
principle upon which all labor organizations are
founded. A friend 70 organized labor that be-
levcs ia organization as means TO enhance
aud maintain wages cannot consistently OPPOSE
the party that apples TO all labor the same
principle " protection from unfair composition
that the individual trade organization gives to a
single trade.
POWER OF TRADE ORGANIZATIONS.
Trade organizations do aid In advancing
wages In tneir respective trades, and the pro-
tective system demanded by the Republican
party will secure for all tOilcrs IN the land
similar fostering care. That this Ia clearly
understood by most OF tho thinking leaders OF
organized labor IL proved by the declaration
recently made ia favor OF the American system
and home market by the presiding officers OF
the organizations representing the iron and
glass industries OF The United States There Is
no better organization OF any one trade than
the Amalgamated Association OF Iron and Steel
Workers. There is no trade more thoroughly
organized. or better disciplined than that OF the
window glass workers, nor one IN which higher
wages are paid. The warning OF the officers
representing those trades against free trade are
very significant aud should be needed.
GRAVE CRISIS.
A careful consideration OF all these facts con-
unces me that the present Is grave crisis In
tho political affoifD OF our country, aud that
have no right 10 remain silent. NV poeltiou Al