The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-10-06
TARIFF AND WAGES.
Twenty Reasons why Protection
Docs not Bsget High wages.

Does not Bsget High Wages.
The Young Mems Democratic Club
of Boston has issued a little slip con-
tanning "Twenty S why it is not
true that a high tariff makes high
wages" The slips are tor distribution
among the workingmen, who are par
ticularly liable to the attempted scare
by the republicans. Below are twenty
tariff reasons:
l.. Because to say that wage
a. q body can increase their wages by
paying high tariff taxes, which tall
manly upon them, is to say that a man
can increase his wealth by picking his
own pocket.
2. Because the value of wages o II
sists not in money, but in the articles
which money buys, and the express
object of a high tariff is to make these
articles dear, thus increasing the real
reward of labor.
8. Because the high tariff policy,
while taxing the wage Garner upon
nearly everything that he has to buy,
gives him no protection upon the only
thing he has to sell. We have free
trade in human labor.
4. Be ause wages represent the
wage earner's share of what he himself
produces, and are high or low accord
ing as his production is large or small.
3. Because the wages of even the
one wage Garner out of ten claimed to
he "~protected" are determined by
general causes rather b a by the tariff.
6. Because If a high tariff raises
q at all, its first and greatest effect
must be In the "protected' industries,
whereas the rate of wages is considera-
bly lower in these industries than in
he unprotected ones.
7. Because the high rate of wages
IN the United States is due to other
1auses than q high tariff, such as the
1xtent of unsettled territory, the large
eturns of agriculture, the national
our Of the country, the extensive
Use of improved machinery, the intelli-
t.ence and energy of the working pop
rllation and the greater efficiency OF
Ineir labor.
g.. Because at least nine wage
carriers out OF every ten in this country
ARE engaged in occupations not
subject to the competition Of
iorcign importstions, 80 that the
rate of wages which they receive cal
lot be in any degree dependent on
high tariff.
8. Because a high tariff upon raw
materials raises the cost of manutac-
turing, restricts the market for goods
and prevents the manufacturer from
paying as high wages as he would have
to if his materials were tree.
10. Because the rate OF wages in
creased faster In this country in the
low tariff period, between 1850 and
1860, than it eve has since under 6
high tariff.
IL. Because wages were high in the
United States, compared with those
paid liz other countries, before it eve
had q high tariff, or any tariff.
IL. Because China has enjoyed fol
thousands of years the full benefits O
high tariff sprotection," while hel
wages for skilled labor are twenty
cents q day, and Chinese immigration
in search of higher wages has become &
menace to American wage earners
IS. Because there are greater diff
ences between rates of wages paid il
different parts of this country, all sub
ject to the same high tariff, than be.
tween rates of wages in Massachusetts
and in England.
x oCSoa5O ~ Jaw "a "o8Sc hAs
Increased from so to 100 per cent. in
England since she abandoned the high
tariff policy, and because her wages are
from so to 100 per cent. higher than Ill
the high tariff countries of continental
Europe.
Is. Because q high tariff fosters
trusts and other combinations of capita
for raising the price of everything but
tok4a ord AnofrAuo thof nnmnQfifInr
for labor between different employers,
which is the great agency In raising IT'D
wages.
16 Because If the manufacturer
really believed that q high tariff com
PEELED him to pay high wages,h he would
be q low tariff man.
II. Because the manufacturer doe
not raise his rate of wages when he gets
a higher tariff duty upon his product
the manufacturer who makes large
profits out of the tariff can undoubtedly
pay high wages, but he doesn't.
10. Because the average amount o
wages paid by the protected manufac'
tIrer in the production of 81 worth o
goods is less than 20 cents, while the
lriff tax is At cents, leaving "a cent
fpr the profits of the manufacturer ant
ne extra cost of raw materials due t
,e tariff.
10. Because the theory that a higl
.riff makes high wages is principal.
F.: ivanced by men who have neye
lown any sympathy with Legislation
promote the welfare of the wag,
.rners, by doctrinaire protectionists
olitical partisans and manufacturer
no have a selfish interest of their own
20. Because this theory is opposes
' the democratic party, made a
-incipally Of wage %earners, and eve
yeking to promote their true interests