The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-05-25
TARIFF, WAGES AND VOTERS.
A Writer Who Thinks Protection Is Working
Serious Injury to the Republican Party.

To the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal:
Apropos of the discussion in the National
Charities Conference and elsewhere of the
immigration problem. let me suggest a few
thoughts which l have not seen touched
upon. 1.-The doors of Castle Garden SWING
inwardly." said General Harrison. because
higher wages can be obtained here than
abroad. Higher wages prevail here because
we have a protective tariff. But the influx
of SO many foreigners, who come into CON-
petition with our workmen, tends to de-
press wages in the long run and to make
paupers whend dull times come. 1t is also
made a matter of boasting By our Repub-
lican papers and speakers that the tariff
causes the transfer of manufactures of GER
tain articles from Great Britain and other
European countries to the United States,
and that they transfer with them the
skilled workmen who operate the estab-
lishments. Stated in this form, Is this an
advantage to American workmen9 Or is it
are thus forced to comet or to some extent,
possibly, to those who find a near market
for the products of their own labor at these
newly-planted centers of foreign Industry
But, to leave the economical view. does
not our policy of protection and high wages
cause the influx of vast numbers of foreign
ers Who are not desirable as citizens? 1t is
true that among those who come are large
numbers of moral, upright. industrious peo-
pie. who, though In the main ignorant, and
in fact incapable of becoming Americans,
are yet good citizens. and, We may admit,
replenish our country with fresh and good
material for the next generation. But with
them come a large proportion of intemper-
ate, ignorant and vicious people. who
crowd our cities and rule them, and who
drive our own children from the employ
ment to which they are first entitled.
In a political view the aspect Is not en-
coursging. To Republicans. at least. No
doubt the great majority of foreign voters
who swell our poll lists are Democrats.
Most of them. in spite of the high-wag in
ducement which brought them over, vote
with those whose tendencies are toward
free trade. if they are not actual free
traders: so that If q thousand foreigners are
added to the voting population of an IndI-
ana county by reason of the establishment
of an English factory there. and 60 per
cent, OF six hundred of them are Demo-
Gratis, and 40 per cent, OF four hundred. are
Republicans, the control of the county
would be transferred perhaps to the Demo-
cratic party. Or, to put III little different
~, suppose twenty thousand foreigners are
added to the voting population of Indiana.
and they divide III the proportion indicated
OF % and 40 per cent. 1T would
erance of four thousand in the State,
supposing the parties were equal before.
Is this a result which Republicans desiref
Ii may be. however, that this has been the
very means by which Republican ascen-
dency IN the Nation and in the State has
been endangered, If not overthrown. There
have been more than five million foreigners
brought to this country In the last ten
years. Ii one million of them rave become
voters. there is no Wonder we have such q
struggle to keep in power. To be brief. it
looks as though the Republican party must
stop recruiting the Democratic army by the
bounty of high-tariff wages. or surrender.
The only alternative for them would seem
To be to prohibit the immigration of for
eigners altogether; but this we know no
party has the nerve to attempt. The sug-
gestion that undesirable aliens should be
rejected. when made in the late Republican
League convention at Cincinnati, was with-
drawn because it was thought such q doc
trine would drive away foreign voters. If
you or any of your readers can tell how
these facts can be overcome or what reme-
dy can be made effectual, l should be glad
to know il. AMERICUs.
RICHMOND. Ind. May %.