The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-23
SEATTLE. MONDAY. NOR. aa.
FREE TRADE AND LABOR.

FREE TRADE AND LABOR.
Roger @. Mills, of Texas, has the cour-
sge OF his opinions. In his speeches in
Massachusetts and Ohio he declared for
absolute free trade, and frankly &C
knowledged that free trade meant reduced
wages for labor when he said ''you must
produce your product at the lowest cost.
You must produce your product at a cost
lower than your rivals, and to do that you
must have cheaper labor"
Cheaper labor" is an essential part of
the Democratic plan; cheaper labor than
European competitors can employ. Re-
ferring to ex-Speaker Tom Reeds argu-
ment that the Eastern manufacturers can
not claim protec ton for their products
until they grant protection to the West
ern producer, Mills said:
Well, as far as protection is concerned, agree
with him. do not want to protect anybody or
anything against competition.
The Democratic party, speaking by the
mouth of its chairman of ways and means
in the Fiftieth congress, who is now the
leading Democratic candidate for speaker,
can industry against the cheap labor COM
petition of the Old World that, on the re-
peal of the Mckinley tariff, is able to
flood this country with foreign goods that
would drive every homemade product out
Of our markets and close 1OO 900 factories.
Foreign labor is hired at one-half of the
wages now enjoyed under the present pro-
tective tariff by our labor.
Take away protection from our pro-
ducers of wool, iron and coal, and our fac
tories would close or cut down wages to
the lev el of Europe, as Mr.. Mills confesses
would be one of the necessities of sfree
trade" Mr. Mills further said:
want to give you free raw material from top
90 bottom, and then want to tax for revenue
the finished product az 1t goes into ultimate
consumption. / would tax the
needle, while there is no tax required on the
needle, because You can produce that cheaper
!. than any other people in the world, and none
will be imported.
This means that Mr.. Mills would tax
American manufactures rather than
foreign goods imported to compete with
Mem. He would put direct tax on
{ 4cedles. which are not taxed today. The
|pemocratic programme as defined by Mr.
wills, the architect of the Democratic
thrift bill, whose end orsement defeated
pveand in 1883, is to break down the
6ole system of protection to American
1nstry, to dispense even with "a tariff
3 revenue only" and, after establishing
8hsolute free trade for the benefit of
(eign manufacturers, to levy direct tax
She products of home manufacture as
~ go into ultimate consumption
III. Springer, of Illinois. who is not
khout hope of the speakership, should
fisp of Georgia and Mills of Texas both
De dropped for compromise candidate,
Noes not want general tariff bill, as Mills
does, at present, but believes in tariff re-
form to the extent of free wool. repeal of
4 tho compensatory duties on wooden goods,
free cotton ties. free binding Irvine. free
dyestuffs and free salt. This, with the re-
neal of duties that are absolutely prohib-
atorv, would satisfy Brother Springer.
Nj. Mills of Texas sees clearly that with
absolute free trade the old-time Democratic
Iusage of taxing sugar, tea and coffee
tariff for revenue only becomes
[extinct, so he proposes to levy tax on
i incomes and the wealthy men of the
oountry. OF Mr.. Mills the Sun sarcastic
| ally says:
/ He ID either great statesman or a hopeless
ferank His place is either at the head of his
Iparty in congress or in retreat for incuraele
llunatics.
Il There are number of New England man.
Iufacturers who are "free traders because
sfree trade in their particular line of bust
mess would put money in their pockets.
IConrressman Walker, a Worcester. Mass,
Imannfacturer employing 500 men, in his
peech in Boston on the 18th inst. before
Ina workingmen's Protective League and
8Irish Republican Club, said:
i shs rich men of New England have nothing
A,,,sher 10 make out OF the tariff Up 10 1859 the
EE.rrfaeturcrs In this country were fighting for
~. ,,oteetiye tariff. They then had their fac
&ories 10 build AMI their capital TO set. They
*E.,c not rich The protective tariff was ALSO
&S-.aiv NECESSARY to employer and employed
u.sN g,s.v can double my fortune IN Eve
8 - 90 Won win give me free trade; and every
49, ~ thess men can do It. They not only
-. the capital engaged in their business,
-. .hsv also have capital 60 invest outside.
s Ee.t class of men and the young men whose
i Ssthars have made their money under the
passc,,ve tar,ff. and have left II for them 10
gs who want 20 buy the blood and tears
sss,r fellow-men-they want tree trade.
Great spplsnse.I tell you that Massachusetts
ro,as 10 he Democratic. free trade state If
] he workingmen 90 not take their places and
sht the manufacturers and me -d, ,hr saa
q Ne importers, who can make rom 'hrse 70 zen
L.. ~ much on imported as they can ON
mer,esn goods. To increase industries is to
ansa. c,ytttsatiou do not care what 10
eovahS wss,her IL be 81 or n.cOoooo or sn0oooo
: Introduce new industry into .hi. eoTH' TIT
cheap at any price Grsss app.sad ,', 81.
lns o. ,.. s are Keen and bright, and know
& rs. 81, 's thew wan. what they mean to do is to
a"nse xonr wages TO the European standard.
B Fhst Is exactly what they arc seeking Tor ana
s. hey are seeking for nothing else
4 sir Charles Dixie. the best critic OF mill
arv affairs in Europe, close observer VI