The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-09-15

ion among protectionists as to the rate
upon particular articles necessary to effect
an equalization between wages abroad and .
at home. In some not remote national
the issue has been-or, more |
correctly, has been made to appear to
high and a low protec- !
tive ta1iff-both parties expressing some
solcitous regard for the wages of our
working people and for the prosperity of
our domestic industries. But under
more courageous leadership he Democrat
ic party has now practically declared that
if given power it will enact a tariff law
without any regard to its effect upon
wages or upon the capital invested in our
great industries.
The majority report of the Committee
on Platform to the Democratic National
Convention at Chicago contained this
clause: =
''That when Custom House taxation is
levied upon articles of any kind produced
in this country the difference between the
cost of labor abroad when such a differ
ence exists, fully measures any possible
benefits to labor, and the enormous adj
ditional impositions of the existing tariff
fall with crushing force upon our farmers
and workingmen.
DEMoCRAIIC ADMISSIONS.
Here we have distinct admission of
the Republican Convention that American
workmen are advantaged by tariff rate
equal to the difference between home and
foreign wages and a declaration only
against the alleged Traditional IMPOSE
tions'' of the existing tariff law.
Again. this majority report further de
clared:-
''But in making a reduction in taxes. it
is not proposed to in ure any domestic in
dustries, but rather to promote their
healthy growth. Moreover, many
industries have come to rely upon legsta-
ton 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 their successful continuance.
and declaration that tariff changes
should be regardful of the workmen in
such industries and of the invested capt.
tai.
The overwhelming rejection of these
propositions. which had before received
the sanction of Democratic national CON
ventlonS, 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 protec-
/ ton, low protection-all unconstitutional.
/ \ Democratic Congress holding this view
cannot enact. nor Democratic President
approve. any tariff schedule the purpose
OF effect of which is to limit importations
, or to give an advantage to an American
/ workman OF product.
A bounty. might, | Judge, be given to
the importer under this view of the con-
/ stitution in order to increase important
! importations. and so the revenue 'fol
revenue only lis the limitation. Recipro-
/ city OF course, falls under this denunci-
alton, for its object and effect are not
revenue. but the promotion of CONNIE
cial exchanges. the profits of which go
i wholly to ON producers.
THE DEMOCRATS FREE TRADERS.
This destructive. I'M American doctrine
was not held OF taught by the historic
I Democratic statesmen whose fame as
American patriots has reached this gen
eration-certainly not by jefferson OF Jack
son. This mad crusade against American
shops, the bitter epethets applied to Amer
lean manufacturers, the persistent disbe-
lief OF every report OF the opening of tin
plate mill or of an increase of our foreign
trade by reciprocity are as surprising as
they are discreditable. There is not a
| thoughtful business man in the country
who does not know that the enactment into
law OF the declaration of the convention at
| Chicago on the subject of the tariff would at
/ once plunge the country into a business
CONFUSION such as it has never seen and
~ vl,+f,
who does not know that it would at once
enormously reduce the amount of work to
be done in this country 10y the increase OF
importations that would follow and neces-
state a reduction Of his wages to the Ell-
ropean standard. If any one suggests that
this radical policy will not be executed if
the Democratic party attains power, what
shall be thought OF a party that is capable
OF thus tritiing with great interests? The
threat of such legislation would be only
less hurtful than the fact A distinguish
ed Democrat rightly described this move
ment as challenge to the protected in
dustres to fight of determination. and
another such rightly expressed the logic
OF the situation when he interpreted the
Chicago platform to be an invitation to all
Democrats holding even the most moder-
ate protection views to 90 into the Repub-
lican party.
And now a few words in regard to the
existing Tariff law. We are Fortunately
able to judge of its influence upon pro
duction and prices by the market reports.
The day of the prophet of calamity has
been succeeded by that of the trade re-
porter. An examination into the effect
OF the law upon the prices of protected
products and Of the cost of such articles
as enter into the living of people of small
means has been made by Senate Com
mttee composed OF leading Senators of
both parties, with the aid of the best
statisticians, and the report, signed by all
the members of the committee has been
given to the public. No such wide and
careful inquiry has ever before been made
These facts appear from the report:
Flrst-The cost of articles entering into
the use of those earning less than one
thousand dollars per annum has decreased
up to May, 1892, 81 per cent. while in
farm products there has been an increase
in price, owing in part to an increased
foreign demand and the opening of new
markets. In England, during the same
time, the cost Of living has increased g
per cent. Tested by their power to pur-
chase articles of necessity, the earnings
of our working people have never been as
great as they are now
Second-There has been an average adj
vance in the rate of wages Of 10 of one