The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1889-11-21

speech at the " heat Growers Con
yentIon.
Our lawmakers have The highest
regard for the man ufacturer, legis-
late to eecure for him a large profit
on the cost of his products, but do
they ever do anything to secure even
the cost of the farmers product,
much less any profit? And do they
not on the other hand lay a heavy
burden upon him by compelling him
to pay this heavy taxation to the
manufactured Wa. there ever great
er injustice? Is it any wonder that
farmers can't carry this heavy load?
Is it apv wonder that farms are be
ing so abandoned in some Of the
Eastern States, and turned out TO the
commons, under the blessing of this
protective system TO the American
farmer? Is it any wonder that our
statistics show a most amazing in
crease Of wealth among our manu-
facturers-:he wealth of the country
pouring a steady stream into their
hands. while they show an equally
declining condition in farm lands in
all the older States, and in all those
States that are not benefited ty q
heavy immigration of farmers who:
with hope in some way to better
their cordition?
TIFF TARIFF AND TIE LABORER,
Hare the speaker was interrupted
by delegate, who asked ii thus ex~
ira duty paid by the farmer did not
60 TO sustain the American laborer.
The speaker said :
| am q friend of the laborer, no
matter in what field of labor he may
be. | know what it is to labor my
self, for in my early life | had to
earn money by the toll Of my hands
My symQathies are with tails class
of our people. But tie idea that the
manufacturers of this country,or any
country will pay any more for labor
than they are compelled to, is toe
ridiculous to discuss. The price of
labor is everywhere regulated by the
law of demand and supply. A sur
plus Of labor anywhere arc every>
where means chcsp labor; a scarcity
of labor anywhere and everywhere
means dear labor.
But, for the sake of the argument
let US conced3 thst the present high
tsrlG makes wages higher for those
employed by manufacturers, Does
is not make the cost of Living higher?
Docs not an average tax OF Al per
cent. upon everything consumed and
used by himself, his wife, his chill.
dren, more than counterbalance any
increase Of wages he resolves? If
the manufacturer should pay him a
little more with one hand does he
not Immediately take it out with the
other ny the increased price on every
manufactured product which be
buys?
And let US so little farther snd
concede that tue laborers IN our
manufactures do derive some bcne,
fit, which deny, by tins high tariff
how srC those lahorers affected who
do not work IN manufactorIes2 They
are all taxed on everything consum.
cd, without any corresponding bene
f., Are Ouly those who work in
manufacturing establishments to be
called laborersp Are only the IN
forests Of these who work for these
privileged classes to he regerded2
How does it affect that great class
of laborers without the walls OF these
establishments? 1t gives them no
increased wages, but 1t does give
them increased taxation on every
manufactured product they pur-
chase.
THE FARMER AS LABCEER.
People don't stop to consider tie
farmer is q laborer. No one labors
harder. He has no eight hours or
even 10 hours law to protect him.
From the earliest dawn to the dark.
est twilight be is toiling with the
endeayor to make living for bis
family. No matter how inten,e t! G
heat or how severe the cold, lie muet
keep up the struggle. Sick or we'll
the work must go on. Half of our
population nearly are farmers. LAS
this great class no rights? Shal
they continue to be taxed By p O.
tettCd class until they become pau
per-? Where IS that high REGARD
paid for this class of toilers tia, i.
pretended to he pald 20 those who
work for manufacturers? and those