The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-08-04
w, H. Bnrtram on the Tariff.

w. n rhTtTam Oh INC
W. Bsrtrsm, Of New York City, tn,
beau ideal and knight Grant Of prohibition
who has spent the best years Of his life il
advocating, studying and working sgains
the liquor traffic, gave . series oflectures OF
the tenets Of the prohibition party and tn,
two great leading parties on Friday aud Sat
urdsy evenings and Sunday afternoon. Hi,
arguments we're logical, forcitle and just
and in no instance we're the bounds OF
economics overslipped. He said that the on
ly issue between the Democrats and Repub-
Leans parties Was the tariff, and upon this
issue based his address, Of which, We cub
join the principal points.
The Democratic party has changed its
policy from tariff for revenue only, and,
now declares in favor Of the tariff 80 adjust
cd Is not to produce surplus, with protec'
ton TO American industries. !, is unfair to
say that the Democratic party in endorsing
the Mills bill Is in favor Of free trade, for
that bill provides . higher average rate Of
tax than ever demanded by Henry Clay or
any protectionist Of our nation.
The Republicans propose to so revise the
tariff - to check importation This can on.
ly be done by increase ofimport dues.
No man can deny that these are tho posi-.
lions Of the parties fairly stated. II the
Democratic policy OF relieving raw materials
in whose production but little labor 10 e1-
pended, shall 50 cheaper the products in
America % 10 enable the manufacturer 10
largely increase his sales, there can be no
doubt that this policy would be beneficial to
American labor, for it would involve the
employ ment Of Q greater number Of skilled
lsborers, while the reduction of labor in the
production Of raw material would be but very
slight.
II, on the other hand, the policy Of the
Republican party could stop imports,
thereby largely increasing the volume Of
American manufacturing, without increasing
The cost Of the product TO the American pro,
ducers, there can be no doubt that the re-
suit would be beneficial to American work.
men. But there can be no protection to the
manufacturer when will enable HIM to secure
higher price Tor his product. 1.-The secures
higher price for his product, it must in.
crease the cost OF living OF the labor that
purchases the product, This by 30 much
decreases the ne, profits of such labor, unless
the farm labor that purchases the manuiac'
iurer 70 product, can sell the product of the
farm at corresponding increase Of price 10
the factory labor, In which case there has
been no increase Of the net profit of the
labor of the nation and it is this that con.
suiutes the nations growth in wealth.
Heretofore there has been sufficient com
petition among American manufacturers to
keep the prices of the American products
down 10 the lowest possible point of profit.
But recently there has been introduced the
systems Of trusts and combinations by which
ell products Of the leading manufacturers in
one line, or in the various lines have been
pooled, ana thus domestic competition is
now for the first time destroyed. and hence
new element Of danger is for the first time
introduced TO the discussion Of the tariff
policy.
American manufacturers, having secured
the combination, have now secured from the
Republican party reversal of its prom
ises by every president from Grant
TO Arthur, and by the party it,
self, and instead Of policy for the
high tariff as war necessity, they now de
nsnd higher rate than was rendered neces
sary TO meet the demands of that war, and
that for the sole purpose of destroying
foreign competition, which will leave Ameri.
can purchaser entirely At the mercy Of the
American manufacturer, enabling him to
charge any price for his product that the
trusts may agree upon, and thus the small
increased wages, made possible perhaps by
the increased duty, will be more than over.
come BY the increased cost Of the product.
1t 10 evident that such course would de.
prive many lsborers Of comforts now com
mon in their homes and thus make that
policy, which they are now urged to support,
. means Of still greater oppression Of them
selves. 49,
1t viii now be evident that the only defer
snos, between tbs parties, 10 one Of means,
profssssdly adopted to better the condition
Of American labor. II this be the only cont
dict. thsn u 10 The duty u every American
worker v support that policy which
premises 10 relieve hin Of the