Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-08-01
Beware of False Prophets,

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all that is great and good in our political
economy have commenced again to give
the benefit of their views and to instruct the
voter in relation to his pecuniary opportuni-
ties-notably to inform him of the impend-
ing destruction to all his interests if the
Mills bill becomes a law. There are sew
eral grades of these self-constituted patri-
OTIS who are sacrificing time, mind and
goodwill, and burdening their precious
souls with pious anxiety for the poor labor
ing man whose future they alone can prop
erly care for. Their teachings of the past
have proved to be false, but they only
know a certain species of cant for argu-
ment, like patent medicines, recommended
for all cases, they are bobbing up again
and repeating it with tiresome reiteration,
and if, perchance, they can get hold of the
lost places which the most of them held in
Government offices, the voter and his inter
ests might 60 to the dogs SO far as they
care for them.
The interest in iron-ores and coal in Vir-
ginia is to be ruined, they say, by a
measure which in fact has not interfered
with the relations they occupy to demand
for them or affecting the development and
the interests of the labor employed in pro-
duction, except to benefit that labor. The
tariff on these articles is not changed by
the Mills bill.
The vote of New Jersey is to be fought
for with more confidence of capturing it
for the Republicans than there exists in
relation to the result in Virginia, and the
effort made in one large industrial interest
in that State in the line Of misrepresenta
ton shows to what extremes that party ia
resorting to accomplish its ends.
Doubtless 10 due time as the Republican
propagandists are making their big and
little rounds in our section of country, they
will tell the people of the enormous cost at
which they are hereafter to obtain crockery
ware, and as result the poor man will be
| forced to use, as in primitive times, rude
wooden plates and be deprived altogether
of other articles in that class, because of
the Mills bill, which is to break down the
American production.
The New York Joasrnal of Commerce has
thoroughly Investigated the question, and
furnishes the country with something of
the motives which prompted the misrepre-
sentation to obtain votes. It is placed in
its true light. The Mills bill does not dis
turb that important industry, but leaves it
where Republican legislation placed it
years ago. This interest is like every other
essential in our progressive development as
the Mills bill disposes of them, and the
truth as presented below furnishes a text
for the Democratic speakers as they may
have occasion to 1efute false allegations
Following is the extract from the authority
named above in relation to the pottery
Interests in New Jersey, as the Mills bill
would affect them, and that is, it leaves
them just where it found them, with ample
protection. The cost of pottery goods will
not be increased if the Mills bill becomes a
law -
sWe understand that in the vicinity OF
Trenton, where there are many pottery es-
Establishments, the politicians have circulated
the most positive statements concerning
the ruinous effect of the Mills bill in case it
should become law. The poor workmen
who have no opportunity to examine the
subject for themselves have been told that
in case the State should go Democratic at
the next election, this ruinous device will
be carried out, and the poor potters will
either lose all employment, or be compelled
to work at starvation wages. 1t is from
this excitement, we suppose, that the ap-
peals have come to us, to stay the hand
which is pressing the poor laborers to the
level of such AFFECT misery.
We make no reply to the politicians
They all know better, but would not alb
stain from repeating falsehood, if it would
help them in an election, although it ex-
ceeded in its monstrous propositions the
most extravagant statements out of Baron
Munchausen's remarkable fctions. But
we do beg the honest souls, trembling with
unnecessary fear, to make little investi-
cation and comparison on their own &C
count, and to acquire the wholesome
serenity which will come with knowledge
of the actual truth. In the first place the
duty is restored on the packages, which
makes difference of over 10 per cent. in
the average rate on the cost of the goods.
We have taken from the Custom-Houss
record, without special selection, an as
sorted crate of white granite ware, which
was subject under the present tariff to the
following cost and charges -