Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-04-08
some Mistake Here.

The gospel Of protection teaches that hn
era Of low prices, which means an era OF
abundance, is a calamity, and that all
manner of devices should be adopted to
keep up prices and make everything
scarce.
That is the Theory" Of protection, but
when there professors leave politics for
practical life they forget their own tormu-
Ia and are as quick to acknowledge the
value of cheap goods "a any abandoned
free trader. At the risk Ct advertising the
new organ Of the tariff. which the New
York Tribune so pers;stenty ignores, we
reproduce from the New York Press the
following paragraphs headed where to buy
food chesp:"
"Housekeepers al over town were talking yes
terday Of the special article in the sunday Press
on the prices of meats and provisions az the va
rOus public and private markets IN TINS city.
There was some mighty lntC resting readlng III
10 for people Of moderate means some oil t1em
found that they were paying more Tor toOl than
they need pay If they went somewhere else Win
In walking distance.
Chose who can afford to pay fancy prices are
Invariably given chance, but markets NJ " h1ch
tbat kind OF customer is not expected figure on
smaller prices and profits. IL may be money IN
he readers pocket TO come 20 this office today
and buy a copy of yesterday sunday Press 10 put
away for reference.
That the Press should so soon after the
election enter into conspiracy" with
the consumer to buy farm products cheap
must surprise and shock its regular read
era. if il has retained any of them. 1t has
been teaching all slong that Cheap goods"
mean low wages, and that the only way
to keep no the American standard" of
wages was for the consumer cheerfully and
unselfshly to pay more for everything he
bought than it WAS worth. When con-
sumner objected, the Press entered on an
involved argument to show that rs every
consumer IS supposed TO be producer, he
got back in high wages more than he psid
out in high prices This was the cOmpaign
a trap set 10 catch fools.
Now the campaign is over, and the
Press very rightly advises IFS readers to
get down to business, and not to attempt
to apply campaign theories 70 the practical
affairs of life. High wages were promised
If Harrison was elected that was the theory
of protection, but instead of high wages
there has been a reduction all along the
the line; at Reading, st Fall River, at the
thread mills OF New Jersey; a. the glass
works in New Albany, and N the coal
mines in Pennsylvania That ia the actual
condition which cOnfronts the wsge earn
els, snd they are no longer allowed to
dwell in a FOOLS paradise.
So, we think the advice Of the Press
now is good, if it is rsther late. Cheap
food is blessing; so are cheap clothing and
cheap sh tier. IL is duty esch man owes
to oil Others to waste nothing, duty be
owes especially to his family 10 make his
wages buy is many of the comforts Of life
a. possible ard men Of mOdrste means
should be taught not to pay more for food
or for clothing, or for household utensils,
or for anything whatever thsn they need
pay if they search little farther.
It Is a sound lesson, bat it must have ap-
paared in the Press by mistake.