Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-15
AMERICAN LABOR IN PERIL
KNIGHTS OF LABOR SECRETARY
LITCHMAN FOR PROTECTION.

| Promises of Low Prices and Good
| wases-A Worker for Harrison.
Charles B. Litchman, general secretary
of the Knights of Labor, expresses his
views on the political contest in progress
as follows, in letter to Senator Quay,
chairman Of the Republican national COM
mittee:
My connection with the labor movement
for the past fourteen years has made it
necessary for me to be close student Of
causes of labor depression and Of the
needs of those who toll While as body
labor organization may refrain from &C
tive participation in politics, SO much Of
what organized labor demands must be
obtained through legislation that the in
dividua member of the LABOR organization
must act politically es IL his Judgment
will best aid the aims and objects ex-
pressed in the principles of tho organize
ton he represents and whose success he
desires.
IL the gigantic political struggle now
begun side issues count as nothing except
TO aid or hinder one of the principal COM
batants IN tho political arena. However
sincere may be the advocates Of the
measure to secure which these separate
political organizations are formed, and
whatever strength IN votes may be shown
at the polls, the fact remains that the can
didates of either the Republican or Of the
Democratic party viii be the next presi-
dent Of the United States. Therefore to
him who has the good Of his country and
the welfare Of her people at heart the ne
ceSsity exists TO choose to which of these
two old party organizations shall be given
his aid either directly OF Indirectly, by
voice or vote
While it may be that neither party offers
all that labor organizations desire, L be-
lieve that the Republican party, in adopt
ing and advocating the American system
OF encouragement and protection to the
labor and wages of our own land, is nearer
the declarations and desires Of organized
labor than its free trade opponents, the
Democratic party.
The conflict is between the American
system, as represented by the Republican
party, which would foster and encourage
the labor Of OR own people and retain
for them the market and wages of our
own country, and the British system, as
represented by the Democratic party,
which would break down the barriers Of
protection and throw open our home mar
ket to the production Of foreign factories
and foreign labor, thus making idle our
own toilecs and reducing to a lower level
the standard OF American wages.
When the Knights of Labor and kin
dred organizations shall have obtained in
foreign lands the same commanding posi-
ton and influence enjoyed IN the United
States the inequality of wages will dis
appear, not by leveling our wages down
but by leveling their wages up. 1t is far
better to level up than to level down, as
the larger the income the larger the power
to consume.
While under free trade goods may be
cheaper to the consumer in certain lines,
the labor made idle in those lines must
turn to other means of employment and
thus by competition compel lower rate
of wages to those already employed
therein.
The power of workingman to consume
depends upon what he receives for his
labor. Unemployed, his power to con-
sumo except in charity or in theft, ceases.
Lprefer that America should be a hand of
workers rather than land of thieves and
paupers.
What is true of the individual is equally
true Of the nation.
The primary elements Of national
wealth and national prosperity are pro.
duction, distribution and consumption.
Whatever affects the power Of labor to
consume affects the entire interests of the
nation. Whatever lowers the wages Of
labor affects its power to consume. An
average reduction Of Z per cent. on the
cost of goods imported will not compen-
safe American labor for the loss of 100
per cent in wages in the lines affected,
and Of 10 to 90 per cent. in wages in the
lines Of employment by the substitution
of the free trade for the protective sys-
TEN. | hold it to be far wiser statesman
ship to build up and retain onr home
market by a system that protects Amsn-
can labor than to command q market in
foreign lands secured by the wholesale
degradation and pauperization of our own
people.
Every dollars worth of labor imported
is by SO much a reduction of home labasr-
er's wages. This axiom Is not Offset by |
the declaration that there are more goods |
in the imported dollars worth The po-
sition of the protectionist is rather /
strengthened by such specious presenta-
Jion of the matter, because the question |
is then instantly forced upon every intel |
ligent man, How can American labor earn |
dollars II the industry IN which he is ex-
perienced is TRANSIT rred to foreign Iands9 |
The theory of protection advocated by |
the Republican party is the same as the |
underlying principle upon which all labor
are founded 4 friend to |
labor that believes in organiza-
ton IS a means to enhance and maintain
wages cannot consistently oppose party
that applies TO all labor the same principle
of protection from unfair competition |
that the individual trade organization
gives 10 the single trade. Trade organ
nations 60 sic in advancing wages in
their respective trades and the protec-
tive system demanded by the Repubh-
can party viii secure for all the toilers in
the land similar fost ering care
That this is clearly understood by most
of the thinking leaders Of organized labor
is proved by the declaration recently made
in favor of the American system and
home market by the presiding officers of
the organization representing the iron and
the glass industries Of the United States.
There is 10 better organization of any
one trade than the Anal e-a-aated Associa-
ton of Iron and Steel Workers There is
no trade more thoroughly organised OF
better disciplined than that of the Win
dow Glass Workers. nor one in which |
higher wages are paid Tho warnings Of
the officers representing those trades
Sainst free trade are very significant and
should be needed
A careful consideration Of all these facts
me that the present is grave
crisis in the political affairs Of our coun-
try, and that | have no right TO remain
silent Ny position as general secretary
IF the Knights Of Labor has gwen me an