Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-04-02
Anew Queries About the Tarin.

individual property was due to and
bound up in e nign protective tarin'
We lay no claims whatever to knowl-
edge OF political economy; we are con-
scious that emenent and talented men
advocate tariff; il is, therefore, only IN
A spirit OF honest and sincere inquiry
that this article is written.
We have a recollection OF great Re
publican leader speaking on this QueS'
ton during the dark days OF the war,
employing language substantially like
this: II shall vote for this bill as one
of the measures made necessary by the
exigencieS OF war, but give notice that
when those eXigencieS have passed away
I shall vote for its repeal, for 1--WE quote
from momory) fOreSee the ultimate ef'
feet OF this bill will be to cripple the
small industrial enterprises OF the coun-
try and throw them into the hands OF a
few gigantic corporations. Such, IN
substance. was the prophetic language
of the Great American CommOner
aud far humber citizens without dis
credit may range themselves IN line
with the broad and patriotic views OF
Pennsylvania long dead, but still hon
Ored statesman.
More than a quarter Of century has
passed, and that grim, uncanny Drophe-
cy has been long ago fulfilled. The lit
tie WOODEN mills, ak factories and tan
nerieS that once were found upon the
banks of nearly every stream In the
populouS states Of the North and East
are deserted ruins and the small manu-
fscturer is driven from the field by vast
corporations and trusts. What has this
10 do with tariff? Let US inquire.
Who are invariably summoned before
the august Congressional Committee
having charge Of the work Of framing
this particular sort Of legislation? The
owner Of the little mill on the noun
tain stream? The iOurneyman who
tolls in his employers shop? The la
bOrer in furnace or in mine? The man
who drives the engine or swings an AK?
Oh, no. The millionaireS who own the
immense industries, the Iron King and
the Coal Baron, the representatives aud
heads OF giant trusts and great cor
porations: these are the gentlemen who
are called on 70 testify as 10 what sort
OF tariff is best adapted TO protect
their interests.
Tariff framed in accord with the
wishes of greedy and eager spectators
seldom nurtureS the interests Of the or
builds the fortunes Of those whose cap
ital and opportunities are alike limited.
ThuSTariff is shaped to enrich the few
who have reach financial eminence.
But our statement, while undeniably
true, is met with the we'll worn argu-
ment that the increased profits OF the
employer arc shared with his wOrkmen,
bringing a necessarily increased income
10 the toilcr. There is some truth in
this, but it must be remembered that
the employer always gets a slice
of each end OF this tariff
forced profits. He invariably pockets
such profits for a time until the clamor
of the wage-earnerS force an increase
OF wages. On the other hand, when
warned by the advantages OF his Supe-
riOr position that the commodity he
manufactures will shortly decline in
price, he at once cuts down the wages
OF his workmen, thus getting slice off
the other end.
This brings us to the points on which
we honestly desire information.
Suppose the city Of Wheeling were an
independent municipality such as for
centuries were common in the old
world; a capitalist from some neighbOr-
ing State discovers in this city great
natural advantages which may be turned
20 his account In the manufacture OF
leather. He builds plant and employs
100 men; 20 these he pays say Sl.j0 a
day. The city authorities are jubllant;
a new industry has given employment
20 100 wOrkmen az fair wages; but
trouble comes; the shoe manufacturers
and others using large quantities OF
leather, find they can purchase their
stock cheaper 10 Pitts6urg and decline
to patronize the new tanueTy, there
upon the proprietor Of the new tannery
approaches the city authorities with
statements like these:
Gentlemen, one OF three things must
be done: l must have a tariff levied on
an leather imported to Wheeling, or
must reduce the wages Of my employees
from 81. so 10 SIPS, or must shut down
my works"
All is excitement. II this plant is re-
moved or the wages Of the workmen re-
duced il is pretty clear that every one
concerned in such supposedly disastrous
legislation will be politically dead and
damned during the remainder Of their
lives. The tariff is accordingly imposed
and every man, woman and child In the
city OF Wheeling who wears shoes helps
to pay the men and bear the expenses OF
the new industry. Now, we inquire, by
what principle Of law or equity is every
other workman in Wheeling compelled
TO pay ten per cent. more for his and his
family'S shoes in order TO keep up the
wages Of the tanners hundred men? In
other words, why are 40, 600 people taxed
for the benefit of this capitalist and his
workmen?
But the matter does not end here.
The manufacturers OF shoes vigorously
kick against the new tariff, whereupon
the tanner contents them with an agree
ment that they shall combine TO force
through the councils tariff on all inn
ported manufactured shoes, and once
more the load on the consumers shout
derS is increased by an advance in price.
True they may, il they can, comfort
themselves with the reflection that the
wages Of 100 employees in the boot and
shoe factories have adva need 10
per cent, but that is not much conSOla-
ton 10 the 80, ZOO people taxed to pay
that advance. And so one industry
after another is taken into the tariff
cabal until all that the disciples Of Nc
Kiuley desire is accomplished aud
nearly all that ordinary people consume