The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-12-09

tne nOfnes OF our WorKlnRmen from the IN
vasion OF want.
1t is not my purpose to renew here the
argument in favor OF protective tariff.
The result Of the recent election must be
accepted as having introduced a new policy.
We must assume that the present tariff,
constructed upon the lines of protection, Is
to be repealed, and that there is to be sub
stituted for 1t tariff law constructed sole
ly with reference to revenue; that no duty
Is to be higIi$ because the increase will
keep open an American mill or keep up the
wages of an American workman, but that
in every ~ Sc such a rate Of duty is to be
imposed as will bring to the treasury of
the United States the largest returns OF
revenue.
The contention has not been between
schedules, but between principles, and it
would be offensive to suggest that the pre-.
vailing party will not carry into legislation
the principles advocated by it and the
pledges given to the people. The tariff
bills passed by the house of representatives
at the last session were, rs ! suppose-ever
in the opinion Of their promoters-inade-
quate. and justified only by the fact that
the senate and house Of representative
were not in accord, and that general re-
vision could not therefore, be undertaken
Tariff.
! recommend that the whole subject o.
tariff revision be left to the incoming con-
gress. 1t is matter of regret that this
work must be delayed for Mt lenst three
months, for the threat of great tariff
changes introduces so much uncertainty
that an amount not easily estimated OF
business inaction and Of diminished pro
duction will necessarily result
1t is possible also that this uncertainty
may result in decreased revenues from Gus
toms duties, for our merchants will make
cautious orders for foreign goods in view
of the prospect of tariff reductions and the
uncertainty as to when they will take Of.
feet Those who have advocated u pro.
tective tariff can well afford to have their
disastrous forecasts of change Of policy
disappointed
If system of customs duties can be
framed that will set the idle wheels and
looms of Europe in motion and crowd our
warehouses with foreign made goods, and
at the same time keep our own mills busy;
that will give us an increased participation
in the markets of the world' of greater
value than the home market we surrender;
that will give increased work TO foreign
workmen upon products to be consumed
by our people without diminishing the
amount OF work to be done here; that will
enable the American manufactures to pay
to his workmen from 80 to 100 per cent.
more in wages than is paid in the foreign
mill, and yet to compete in our market
and in foreign markets with the foreign
producer; that will further reduce the cost
Of articles Of wear and food without reduc.
ing the wages of those who produce them:
that can be celebrated, after its effects have
been realized, as its expectation has BEEN
in European as well as in American cities
the authors and promoters Of it will be en-
titled to the highest praise.
We have had in our history several ex.
periences of the contrasted effects of a rev.
enue and of protective tariff, but this
generation has not felt them. and the ex.
perience of one generation is not highly
instructive to the next. The friends of the
protective system, with undiminshed con-
idence in the principles they have advocat-
ed, will await the results of the new ex.
pertinent.
If that experience shall demonstrate
that present rates of wages are thereby
maintained or increased, either absolutely
or in their purchasing power, and that the
aggregate volume of worl, to be done in
this country is increased, or even main.
tained so that there are more or as many
days work in n year ut as good or better
wages for the American workman as has
been the case under the protective system,
every one will rejoice \ general process
of wage reduction cannot be contemplated
by any patriotic citizen without the gray
est apprehension.
1t may be, indeed believe it is, possible
for the American manufacturer to compete
successfully with his foreign rival in many
branches of production without the defense
of protective duties If the payrolls are
equalized, but the conflict that stands be
tween the producer and that result and the
distress of our working people when it is
attained are not pleasant to contemplate
The society of the unemployed now hold
ing its frequent and threatening parades in
the streets of foreign cities should not be
allowed to acquire an American Gomicile.
Foreign.
Our relations with other nations are nov
undisturbed by any serious controversy
The complicated and threatening differ
ences with Germany and England relating
to Samoan affairs, with England in rela
tion to the seal fisheries in the Behrine
sea, and with Chilli growing out OF the Bal
umore affair have been adjusted.
There have been negotiated and con
cluded, under section 3 of the tariff law
commercial agreements relating to recpro
cal trade with the following countries: Bra
zil Dominican Republic, Spain for Cub.
and Porto Rico, Guatemala, Salvador
the German empire, Great Britain for Ger
tain West Indian colonies and British
Guiana, Nicaragua Honduras and Austria
Hungary.
A treaty providing for the arbitration
of the dispute between Great Britain and
the United States as to the killing OF seals
in the Behring sea was concluded on the
18th OF February last. This treaty was
accompanied by All agreement prohibiting
pelagic sealing pending the arbitration
and vigorous effort was made durine
this season to drive out all poaching seal
ers from the Behring sea
| recommend that power be given to tn,
president by proclamation to prohibit thf
taking of seals in the North Pacific bS
American vessels, in case either as the re
suit of the findings of the tribunal of arbi
tration or otherwise the restraints can be-
applied to the vessels OF all countries
During The past year suggestion was