The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1888-08-23

Oi'y w SSN"iOH UhiouSH HlSn pIOGeC-
ton. They are like Baron Munchau-
sens hare, which could always elude
pursuers because he had one set of legs
where every good hare is supposed to
grow them and another set folded on
his back. When he got tired out on
one set OF pins he turned over and ran
on the other set. The generally &C.
Cepted idea is that raw material in the
manufacture of goods averages about
60 per cent. of their final cost. The
tariff on this material is 80 per cent,
or 18 per cent. on the finished article.
The amount Of wages in this finished
article, according to the latest estimate
is also IS per cent. The manuiactur-
er therefore pays an increase in the
shape of tariff tax equal to the full
amount of wages in his goods. The
result OF this unjustifable imposition
is to diminish production. That's all.
Less than one per cent. of the popu-
lation, or 49S,864 laborers, were EN-.
ployed in the woollen, cotton, iron,
steel and sugar industries when the
last census was taken, in 1880. Sup.
posing an average of three persons de-
pendent on each OF these workers, still
there will be less than per cent. OF
the whole people benefited by the in
creased wages it is declared protection
gives these laborers. II the argument
that high wages are secured in that
way could be substantiated (and it
cannot(, the fact would still stand out
in bold relief that SO per cent. Of the
nation is taxed for the benefit of the
other 4 per cent. on the productions
mentioned. More points for the re-
publican text books!
REPUBLICAN STATEMENT OF AMERICAN
LABOR.
In 1873, when the government was
in the hands of republican reformers,
the Department OF State published a
statement to the effect that "the aver.
age American workman performs from
one and half to twice rs much work
in day as the average European
workman" At this "official" rate the
American workman is paid at least 25
per cent. lees than his brother across
the seas. Fer, see here, 2,732, ,595
American workmen produce manu-
factured articles valued at $5,969,579,-
191, equal to 81 965 per worker, while
the English average was only $3.50 pei
worker. Thus the republican official
statement is corroborated. But that
statement was issued for q purpose
: the purpose failed. Now the same
} parties who issued it declare the gov
; ernment must "protect" the manu-
r facturer "because he pays 25 per cent
more wages than the foreign manu-
facturer"-a vile falsehood, for, accord
: ing to their own Official document
american labor is really so per cent
cheaper than labor abroad.
r While the late President Arthur wa
: in power the Department Of State alsc
published the fact that English cottor
operatives were receiving $251 yea
V for Sc hours of labor per week. TIL,
:, last census shows that American cot
!. ton workers only received $244 pc
annum, while giving &c hours Of labo
+ a week. Thus the American receives
d 81 less pay, though giving Is per cent
3 more in work and paying 20 per cent
= more on cost of living, for rent, &c.
n Similar protective benefits" seem t.
6 have been conferred upon American
Vt shipping. In 1856 II per cent. Of a.
: the tonnage entering American port
: was in American vessels. Now, afte
IS years of extreme high tariff, America
q vessels are carrying less than 16 pc
1t cent. of the tonnage. Well, the "dil
IS interested gentlemen" who row OF
y pose the Mills bill say chats a
Ie right" So England gets millions ev
n cry year for doing Americas carrying
n while American vessels rot at the
wharves in many instances. Eve
" where American ships are used to ca
ry goods away hey can bring non
back, because the extreme tariff pr
W vents Americans dealing with otht
u nations on a reciprocal basis. TIL
IN true spirit of commerce is to buy 1
!" well as to SELL The Infamous mea
a ure of 1885," as Judge Kelley terms
H. has settled our hash in this retpeC
TO however,
to Certainly, Mr.. Blaine, let the peop
O.. thoroughly understand this whole ia
a iff business.
w The Mesby Of the Campaign.
New York Heraldl
81 The fact that Colonel WattersC
nut sbould bo ~ Tho hnadnunrtara or