The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-28
be safe. As : proseetionIstI have never aem.ndsd

be safe. AS protectionistI have never demanded
more than this.
given the people cheaper goods than they would have
had but for the industrial activities that it brought
into being, and that the tariff does not fact
oppress the consumer, but, the contrary is mani
testify to his advantage.
If the propositions have submitted are correct,
the aborer IN the mine and the factory is not robbed
of his higher wages BY the increased cost of consump
the condition of the laborer here with that of his fell
low IN Italy, Germany, Ireland France, or Great
in kind of food clothes and shelter only, but call
tention to differences IN his savings shown by the
much Greater the deposits of the wage-workers OF
Lowell than those of Manchester Sheffield of those
OF tne United states than those OF the most FAVORED
European nations Look at the official figures OF
what our industrious and frugal working people are
saving from their earnings. The Comptroller of the
Currency reported that at the close of 1885 the num-
Der of deposors in the savings banks of the country
was 2. $3.50. the deposits averaging $36
national debt. This sum represents labor saved and
shows the immense possibilities opened up to our
But it is true that protection only benefits class
of workersl Il benefits all classes IL diversi
hes our industrial pursuits muipies divisions ana
variety of manufacture, enlarges the demand for
Labor and the wage rate The factory hnds
employment for labor that would otherwise crowd
into the shop of the mechanic the fields OF the
farmer. Close the factory and other industries
would De oyerdone. Destroy mar utac1urlng employ.
and the consumers of the agricultural product
would become its producers. Diminish the body OF
the farmer and increase the body of the producers,
and both industries must suffer irreparable loss Sir,
1T Is absurd to say that large body OF laborers IN
community can be prosperous without imparting some
of that prosperity to the others The wages
of labor IN employment go to buy the product OF
d hundred other industries. and eli are benefited.
Again it contended that in fact. considering the
cost of living in Europe, the tariff does not increase
the American wage rate-that the lower pay there
will buy more of the necessarios of life than the
higher pay in this country. 1T is said that if our
workers get high wages articles they
correspondingy dear, and therefore they can afford
TO accept free-trade conditions with low pay and
cheap living
The fact IS there is but fraction of difference in
the cost of Ivngs of the KIND here and in Eng.
land. But apply true test to this question: and
what is the result? Take the cost of the necessary
yearly supplies of family of four persons in the
United States and deduct this from the sum OF the
annual wages of the family and find the balance APP
pIv the same rule to a like family in Italy Germany
belgium, France and England. After the ivings
dedqeted from the sarnings Thsh the american Or
wages eftl This will tell whether labor here
abroad il the more profitable
careful compilation of the statistics furnished by
our consular and other authentic reports recently fur
nished by Mr.. J. H. Walker of Massachusetts, shows
the fair difference In the cost of the yearly
supplies of family of four persons in Italy Belgium.
France, Germany England ami like family IN the
United States is about SD. including tariff duties.
These supplies include twentyoae different articles
which enter into the consumption of the humolest
American household The wage earning is computed
man and boy-to each family. The wage rate in each
country is the other factor in the problem What is
This table shows that a laborer's family of four
persons, with two WORKERS, cannot possibly save in
L.
$57 80; in England 1923; in America 1854, in q
whole year.
A weaver's family can save in Germany nothing in
Belgium, 5000; in France, $144; in England,
1924; in America 1854.
Take the highest paid workers, it shows that the
possible savings of the family of locomotive engi
neer in Germany are $45O.33 Ia Belgium. $438; in
France S516 40; in England, $432. 40; in America,
81 1884, and the possible savings of carpenters black
Smiths tnsrnths, between these extremes
in each of the countries named.
Sir, there is not people in Europe that does not
know that american labor is better reunerated than
any in the world. Our economic institutions in
dustral thrift steady prosperity invite aoorers
to to from every civilized nation, and Europe
alone sends shores from 300, 900 to 500, 900
of her people every year.
Again it is truth admitted by the economists that
highest price there the diversity of
employments, and where all industrial pursuits are
stimulated to their greatest activity.
Protection has given these conditions to our peo-
pie. It has given labor here its best possible oppor-
tunity by opening the mine. building the shop the
factory, and putting every possible wheel, plow,
hammer spindle and loom in motion. close. sir.
this point by repeating that the supreme aim and eff
feet of protective legislation is to industrial
and national independence, to invite the Investment
of capital in productive enterprises, to develop
trade and pursuit to create large and certain home
market for the product of the farm, the factory and
ment TO labor. and secure composition that win
make home market the best in the world. 10 is
this policy which inspires labor with hope and
it with dignity; which gives it safety and pro-
tects its increase; which political equality to
every citizen comfort and culture to every home"