Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-10-25
Election Tuesday, Nov, 9th.
COST OF LIVING,

AND SAVINGS, UNDER PROTECTION.
Tariff League Bulletin.
When it is proved that wages are so
much higher in this country than in
Europe, the Free Traders reply that the
cost of living is higher in proportion,
and therefore the savings are no greater.
But the evidence on the subject is per-
fectly clear: 1st, that the cost of living
is not materially higher; and I'd, that the
savings are very much greater.
Full details as to cost of living in Eu-
rope will be found in the official Report
from American Consuls to the State De-
partment at Washington. We give only
the conclusion of the Report.
Food: at appears from the Report
hereto annexed, that the American work
man consumes more and better food
than the mechanic or laborer abroad, ,and
that the cost of this food is as small in
the United States as in Europe"
Clothing: "In general, clothing can
be purchased cheaper in Europe
than in the United States; es-
pecially clothing of the higher grades.
The same influence which prompts the
higher paid workingman in the United
States to purchase better and more varied
food than his European comrade, extends
also to his clothing, for he buys more
and better garments" Consul Shaw, OF
Manchester, England, says: 81 believe
clothing similar to that which the Eng
lish operatives wear can be purchased in
the United States at about the same
price"
"House-rent in Europe is apparently
lower than here, but the habitatiOns are
usually inferior to those of the United
States"
More exact and comprehensive inves-
LEGATIONS were made on the subject by
Carol d. Wright, chief of the labor
bureau of Massachusetts in 1888. AT
that time, he found that the average cost
of living of workingmen in MasSachu-
sets, including rent, was II per cent.
higher than living on the same scale
would cost in England. Excluding rent,
the cost in Massachusetts was found to
be only five per cent. higher than in
England.
The testimony of the savings banks
tells the story so emphatically that no
doubt can longer remain as to the ad-
vantages of wage-workers in the United
States.
The deposits in the saving banks in
the seven industrial States-New Eng
land and New York, in 1887, were l.
O00,000,O00 dollars, or about 800 per
head of population. In Great Britain
the deposits were 520,0O0,0O0 dollars, or
about $3.50 per head.
The deposits in New York State in
1886 were $482, ,686, ,730. The loans of all
the National banks in the State the same
time were only 1854, 4,841, ,070. As depos-
its in the Savings banks were all loaned
out, it follows that they were lending
more money than the National banks by
1925, AS, $50. "What other country in
the world can show like this, its workers
on l, 2 and dollars per day being the
great leaders of capital by which the in
dustries in which they are engaged are
carried On?"
But still stronger proof of the benefits
of Protection is found in the statistics of
Free-Trade Pauperism. According to
the census of 1880 the number of per-
sons in almshouses in this country was
1866, and the number of outdoor
paupers 21,59S, total of ITO, ,263, out Of
population of 51,000,000. Great Brit
ain, with a population of IS, 100000 main
tanned 784,155 paupers in England and
Wales, 416,992 in Ireland, and 81, ,091 in
Scotlal ), according to the latest returns
1855. A total of 1,292, ,228 paupers in
the Free-Trade country, and 110,263 in
Protected country! In no part of the
civilized world is so small portion of
the population dependent upon charity
as in the United States. Our system of
government is the freest and the best,and
no wonder the sufferers in foreign lands
seek refuge and a chance to make liv-
ing among us.
By far the most alarming fact is that
as many as oIle-eigItth of the inhabitants
of London belong to the Semi-pGuper
class. The figures collected by the Local
Government Board showed that in the
last year with respect to which returns
were published more than one..ftth of the
deaths that took place in the metropolis
occurred in warehouses and hospitals.
Can anything be more terrible than this?
One out of every five of those we meet
in the busy throng which circles the
streets of the worlds great metropolis
dies pauper. Yes, one out of five!
But under the glorious system of Free
Trade, we are told England has prosper
ed as no other nation has; that she has
increased in wealth, extended her COM
merce, increased the wages of those who
toll, cheapened their loaf and improved
their condition.
THE TARIFF AND FARM VALUES.