The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1892-09-14


vention at Chicago contained this clause:
THAT, when custom house taxation ~
levied upon articles Of any kind produced
I'm this country, the difference between the
cost Of labor here and abroad when such a
difference exists, fully measures any posi-
BILE benefits TO labor and the enormous adj
ditional impositions of the existing tariff
fall with crushing. force upon our farmers
and workingmen."
Here we have distinct admission of the
Republican contention that American
workmen are advantaged by tariff rate
equal to the difference between homo and
foreign wages, and n declaration only
against the alleged additional imposi-
tons of the existing tariff law.
Again, this majority report further de-
clared:
but in makinga reduction in taxes, II Is
not proposed 70 injure any domestic indus
tries, but rather TO promote their healthy
growth Moreover, many indus
tries have come TO rely upon legislation for
successful continuance, so that any change
Of law must be at every step regardful OF
the labor and the capital thus involved"
Here we have an admission that many Of
our industries depend upon protective
duties "for h,ir successful continuance
and declaration that tariff changes
should be regarlful of the. workmen in
such industries and of the invested capital
The overwhelming rejection of these prop
sanction of Democratic national conven-
tions, was not more indicative OF the new
and more courageous leadership to which
the party has now committed Itself, than
the substitute which Was adopted. This
substitute declares that protective duties
are unconstitutional-hig protection, low
protection-all unconstitutional.
A Democratic congress holding this view
can not enact, nor Democratic president
approve, any tariff schedule the purpose or
effect of which Is to limit importations or
to give any advantage to an American
workman or producer. A bounty might. |
judge, be given to the importer, under this
view of the constitution, in order to in
crease importations and get the revenue
for revenue only" on the limitation. Reel
procity, of course falls under this defini-
ton, for its object and effect are not revenue
but the promotion OF commercial ex-
changes. the profits Of which go wholly to
our producers.
This destructive, un-American doctrine
was not held or taught by the historic
Democratic statesmen, whose fame 80
American patriots has reached this genera
tion-certainly not by Jefferson or Jack
son. This mad crusade against American
shops, the bitter epithets applied to Ameri-
can manufacturers, the persistent disbelief
of every report of the opening of a tin
plate mill, or of an increase of our foreign
trade by reciprocity, are as surprising as
There is not thoughtful business man In
the country who does not know that the
enactment into law Of the declaration Of
the Chicago convention upon the subject
of the tariff would at once plunge the coun-
try into a business CONFUSION such as it
has never seen; there Is not a thoughtful
workingman who does not know that =
would at once enormously reduce the
amount of work TO be done in this country,
by the increase OF importations that would
follow, and necessitate reduction of his
wages to the European standard, II any
one suggest that this radical policy will
not be eNeCu, Il II the Democratic party al
tains power, what shall be thought of n
party that il capable of thus triflin2 with
our great interests
The threat Of such legislation would only
be less hurtiui than the fact A distiI-
guished Democrat rightly described this
movement as y challenge to the protected
industries to fight OF determination, and
another such rightly expressed the logic of
the situation when he interpreted the Chi
cago platform to he an invitation to all
Democrats holding even the most moderaUc
protection viJws 70 20 mo the Republican
party
The Tariff Law.
And now, n few words In regard TO the
existing tariff law. We are fortunately
able to judge Of its influence upon produc-
| ton and prices by the market reports. The
| day of the prophet of calamity has been
succeeded by that of the trade reporter.
| An examination into the effect of the law
| upon the prices OF protection products and
| of the cost of such articles as enter into
the living OF people of small means, has
been made by senate committee, com
posed of leading senators of both parties,
| with the aid of the best stHtisticians, and
the report, signed by all the members Of
| the committee, has been given to the pub
f,.1f hos
ever before been made. These facts appear
| from the reports
First-The cost of articles entering into
| the use of those earning less than 81 900 pei
annum, has decreased up to May, 1892, 3.4
per cent, while in farm products there has
| been an increase in prices, owing in part u
| an increased foreign demand and the open
| ing Of new markets. In England during
| the same period the cost of living has in
| creased 10 per cent Tested by their power
| TO purchase articles of necessity the earn
ings of our working people have never been
| as great as they are now.
Second-There has been an average ad
vance in the rate OF wages OF .75 of l pei
| cent.
Third-There has been an advance in the
| price of all farm products of 1857 per cent.
and all cereals 80, 80 per cent.
| The ninth annual report of the chief OF
| the bureau of labor statistics of the state
OF New York, Democratic officer, very re-
| Gently issued, strongly corroborates az to
| that state the fucts found by the senatl
committee His extended inquiry shows
that in the year Immediately following tho
passage of the tariff act Of 1890 the aggre
| gate sum paid in wages in that state was
| S6,377 ,g25 in excess and the aggregate pro
duction 81, 1915, 100 excess of the preceding
year
In view of this showing of an increase In
wages, OF reduction of the cost of articles
of common necessity and of a marked ad
vance in the prices OF agricultural products
| Is so plain that this tariff law has not i'm
| posed burdens, but has conferred benefits
upon the farmer and the workingman.
| Some special effect OF the act could b,
| noticed. IL was courageous attempt Il
| rid our people Of a long maintained foreign
| monopoly in the production of tin plate
pearl buttons, silk plush, linens, lace etc
| Once or twice III our history
| The Production of Tin Plate
had been attempted, but the Welsh
makers would not enable our makers ;,
| produce IL at profit. But the Welsl
makers at once cut prices TO point thai
drove the American beginners out of th,
business; and when this was accomplished
again made Leir own prices.
| A cores, Jndent of The Industrial
World, the Official organ of the Welsh til
plate workers, published at Swansea, In
the issue OF June 10, 1892, advises new
trial of these methods, He says:
"Do not be deceived. The victory of tn,
Republicans at the polls means the reten
ton of the Mckinley bill, and means tn,
rapidly accruing loss of the 80 per cent. u
the export of American trade. Had ther,
been no Democratic victory In 1890, the
spread of the tin plate manufacture In the
| United States would have been both rapid
and bona fide. IL Is not yet toe
late 10 do something TO reduce the price OF
| plates. Put them down to eleven shillingf
| per box OF one hundred, l4x3O, full weigh,
| basis Let the workmen take half pay foI