The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-08-14


American workman who votes now
for an enemy OF our Tariff does
so with his eyes open" lie
knows what 10 expect. He solicits
the free competition OF the depressed
and underpaid labor OF Europe with his
own, and with the certainty that his
wages will go down to something like
the European level. II he have grain
sense, he knows that the reduction OF
tariff duties TO free trade level means
the repeal OF the laws forbidding the
importation OF labor under contract.
These laws are part Of the protective
legislation Of the country. We cannot
invite the competition OF European
labor, and forbid our capitalists to
bring it into the country for their own
use. 1t would be as unjust as 1t would
be useless to insist on such restric-
ton
The American farmer also knows
what is ahead OF him. The opposition
now stands for the free importation of
Canadian farm produce, OF Australian
wool, OF every sort OF food product from
whatever country can produce it cheap
er than we do. Their victory means the
repeal OF the duty on the wool, which
has given u fresh stimulus to Ohio's
sheep-farming. 1t means the expulsion
OF the manufacturer from the vicinity Of
the farm, that the farmer may have the
JOY OF sending all his produce over land
and sea ut his own expense, and OF bring
ing back scanty supply of manufac-
tured articles in exchange. 1t means
tt.lt al F,f FAnVNttlnltnFa
from other industries to farming-the
conversion OF the farmers customers
into his competitors in the food-market.
1t means vast diminution in the pur-
chasing.power OF the bushels Of wheat
and the carcass of pork, although this
will be concealed under the "cheapness"
OF one.half OF the farmers bargains.
It will mean no reduction in the cost
Of living except through absolute cut
ting of comforts and Injuries that are
now enjoyed by al, or nearly all. In
stead OF protective duties for the benefit
of American labor we shall see revenue
duties on tea, coffee, spices, sugar, and
the like to pay the expenses of the gov
eminent. The cost OF housekeeping
will be no whit lower, although we shall
HuNe no uutleS lot tue UeHeuL Oh TIC
American producer.
Under the Mckinley tariff the cost Of
living has gone down. There has been
at least no rise in the cost of carpets,
clothing, hardware, food, and all the
rest. have asked one home-provider
after another to tell me what articles
they pay more for than they did last
year. In every case they tell me that
nothing is dearer than it was, and that
many things are much cheaper. The
difference in the cost of sugar alone is
an important item in household ex-
penses. Wages have held up and in
many cases have risen, Employment
continues general in the presence OF
monetary depression; for which Eng
fish Investments on the strength OF Free
Trade expectations from the Argentine
Republic are responsible. Outside the
stock market there is general hopeful
ness and confidence, and the popular
feeling is that any change in our ma
tional policy would be too big venture.
In word the Mckinley Prices" lie
has been exploded by the evidence OF
facts which touch every mans pocket.
The gallant majors own district was
bamboozled by that lie into voting
against him. His State now has the
opportunity and the duty to give it its
final quietus. Shall not Ohio prove
herself equal to the occasion?