The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-18

vi tle Dliis presented Dy the Democrats.
Twice they had accomplished that, and
twice they had refused even to consider
the question of reduction of taxation.
The tax on consumption was paid by
hard, daily toll. Suppose laborer with
II a day could buy woolen suit of
clothes for $40 II required ten days
labor to purchase II, but when the tariff
put duty OF 100 per cent. the
suit would cost $40. Then IL required
twenty days labor for the nan to
secure what he could otherwise have Sc
cured for ten days labor. Had not ten
days Of labor been annihilated? Either it
had been annihilated, or the proceeds Of
ten days labor had been transferred from
the laborer to someone else. But the
greatest evil inflicted upon the people by
the excessive taxation on the consumers OF
the country was in the destruction Of the
value of exports. The great body Of ex-
ports were agricultural products. From
10 TO so per cent. Of the exports were such
products War duties limited importation
and that limited expectation. The surplus
productions were therefore thrown upon
the home market. II became over sup.
piled and the prices went down.
II was insisted that ii duties were lower
and foreign goods were imported our peo-
pie would be turned out OF employment
and the rates OF wages would be reduced.
Nothing OF the sort would happen. II we
had no tariff, II all the custom-houses
were torn down and the government sup
ported by direct taxes there would not be
exceeding 10 per cent. Of imported manu-
factured products consumed by the peo-
pie OF this country. Why was Il that this
little reduction the Democrats were ask
ing for was fought with desperation? Why
was II that gentlemen OF the other side
not only resisted every effort to reduce
taxation, but were now asking that the
tariff on woolen goods should be raised
over 100 per cent. when they could be pro-
duced cheaper and were produced cheap
er in tins country than in Europe? II pig
iron, and scroll iron, and hoop iron, and
cotton goods were cheaper here than in
Europe, why did gentlemen resist every
effort 10 reduce taxation little TO reduce
the surplus in the treasury?
II was said that high tariff made high
wages for labor. IL was said that il tariff
were reduced wages must be reduced. 1t
was said that II the value OF the domestic
product was increased the manufacturer
was enabled TO pay higher wages. I'M
questionably. But did he do IL? No. Jay
Gould was able TO pay his bootback $500,
but did he do il? No. he paid his nickel
like little man. Vanderbilt, from his
income arising from the immense amount
OF United States bonds he owned, could
afford TO pay his hostler $4,000 year,
but did he do il? 0hf no; he went out
into the market and employed his labor at
the market value and paid the same as the
humblest citizen in New York did. High
tariff did not regulate wages. Wages were
regulated by demand and supply and the
capacity Of the laborcr 10 do the work.
IL was coal and steam and machinery
that made the high rate Of wages in this
country, and the high rate OF wages meant
the lowest Of production. Mr.. Mills then
proceeded, with frequent citations from
economical authors and from tabulated
statements, 10 elucidate his argument that
the high rate OF wages in this country was
not the result OF the protective system.
We had grown rich, prosperous and
powerful, not by the aid of restrictions on
foreign commerce, but in spite Of them.
lie wished TO show that the tariff was mol
one for the benefit Of the workingman.
lie wished 10 do this by figures given by
the manufacturers themselves, explaining
the total cost Of product and labor cost oI
the articles they were making. He had
put the tariff table by the side OF these
figures 10 see whether in the little rcduc.
ton the committee asked In the bill IL was
going beyond that pledge made by the
! Democratic party that IL would not reduce
taxation 40 low as to expose labor. This
table showed that the tariff was not In.
tended 10 benefit the laborer; that the
benefits Of the tariff pass into the pockets
OF the manufacturers aud never come "a
tho pockets OF the laboren. Taking ~
tire case Of pair of blankets where the
tariff exceeded the labor cost one by Sl.b2
Mr.. Mills declared that every dollar Of the
excess was rcapcd by the manufacturer.
Mr.. Grain, Of Texas, interrupted 10 asl
how the WAYS and means committee had
treated those blankets.
Mr.. Mills replied that II had reduced IN,
tariff on blankets from Sl.77 10 II cents
fApplausc. Continuing, he said that II
was asserted that Congress had intended
90 benefit the laborcr by the tariff II had
failed aud not dollar Of the protection
afforded got beyond the manufacturer
lie, however, hired his labor at the lowest
rate In the open market. The committee
had left in the bill more than enough pro
lection 10 pay all the labor and bonui
besides. Mr.. Mills then went into th,
details OF the table, citing flannel, bar iron,
Bessemer steel, wool suits and other arti
clcs ~ exhibiting cases where the tarii
charge invariably greatly exceeded
the labor cost, aud where none Of th,
excess got beyond the manufacturer e
help the laborcr. This policy, he said
built up palaces II concentrated wealth
but II distributed not OF lis bcnelicencc n
the homes Of the poor laborcr. II com
pcllod the government: 10 take alarRc shan
of his daily earnings. II was making
vast distinction In this country bctwccI
two classcs--Onc poor and numerous, on
small and powerful and rich. The conccn
tralion Of the wealth Of the country Ia thl
hands Of few men would overthrow on
free government In conclusion he SAT-
that he hoped that the bill which the com
miilcc had prcsented-which had me
with favor throughout the country -woulI
receive a majority Of the votes Of th
House, though u was not oil the commit
tee could ask. IL was very modcrai
bill, vet Il would send comfort aud har
piness into all the homes and bosoma o
the poor laboring people oi this country
and he asked the House In behalf Of thcs
people, TO consider their claims and he'll
} 10 reduce the burdens that had bee
loaded upon them. IApplase and cries O
"yole, votel" from the Democratic side.
Mr.. Mills spoke about an hourand thrc'
quarters, and as lac took his scat ho wa
surrounded by the crowd Of Democrat
members who pressed forward 10 shak
his hand and tender their congalulaiioni