The record-union., 1892-10-19

among themselves gives articles of neces-
slty to the people at as low rates as can be
given and maintain our standard of
wages.
We claim not only that the consumer
gets the goods cheaper, but that the pro-
lection given stimulates production, and
enlarges the field of manufactures, and
gives employment to thousands who
would otherwise be driven into agricult-
ure and thus render that pursuit less
profitable.
EXAMPLES.
Let us see if this is not true. The
country has been made familiar with
many instances of the cheapening results
OF protective legislation upon articles of
consumption. Their truth cannot be de-
MED, and the conclusion to which they
| point IS inevitable. Let me catalogue
some of these:
IRON INDUSTRIES.
In 1916 we produced 100000 tons of pig
iron; in 1860, 821 200 tons. This was the
period. Of free trade. In fourteen years
we gained only y 900 tons. We then
began protective legislation. BY 1892 we
had increased the output of pig-iron to
9,2U2, 703 tons. Let us follow this little
further. In 1882 the United States pro
duced 4,62S,328 tons, and the United
Kingdom of Great Britain S,493. .287 tons.
In 1891 the United States produced 9,279,- =
733 tons, and the United Kingdom S.228,-
496 tons. We ran ahead of the produc-
ton of Great Britain about 100000 tons
and produced nearly ten times as much
as we did in 1860.
But this is not all. In the fiscal year
1887 we imported S27, $50, ,422 and exported
$40, 703, lS2. In the fiscal year 1892 we i'm
ported SIG, ,329, ,207 and exported $40, 463, 764
" @ reduced our imports of pig-iron over
Sli, ,O0U,0OU; we increased our exports by
nearly Sl0,000,000. In 1882 England was
| making 81 per cent. of the aggregate used
the United States IS per cent. and Ger
many 20 per cent. In 1891 the United
States was making Al per cent, England
80 per cent. and Germany 22 per cent.
Now as to prices. In 1860 a ton of =, ,240
pounds cost $I7 %.
Let us look at some of the products of
iron:
Cut nails-In 1860 the price was 50 81
per keg; in 1890, 81 Sc per keg.
Wire nails-ln 1888 the price per pound
was S.3 cents; in 1891, is cents.
Barbed wire-Iu 1882 the price Der
pound was 81 cents, galvanized; in 1892,
II cents, galvanized.
We made but few wire nails prior to
1883. The dnty was then put on of four
cents per pound. The Mckinley bill re-
ouced 1t to two cents, and III 1890 we
made 3, 1876, ,9l1 kegs. They now sell for
1858 Iudu lne reduced duty under the Nc
IAlnIey bill and Of course all importations
have ceased. The prices l give, let it be
understood, are Eastern job rates.
STEEL RAILS.
In 1901 we imported 45S,O56 tons of
steel rails and we manufactured 30. .357
tons; in 1SSS-89 we imported 24,277 tons
and we made 1,390,974 tons; in 1891 we
imported only 1874 tons; in 1870 the price
In Pittsburg was SlO6 rs; in 1889 the price
was 81 so.
The first duty was As per cent. ad va
loren; in 1870 the specific duty was $2S
per ton; in 1888 the duty was reduced to
go 16; in 1890 to S12, which was 81 less
than by the Mills bill. We now manu-
facture practically all our steel rails
and the price is less than the duty of 1870
or 1883 and only little over one-quarter
the price of 1870.
II you will examine the price list of
articles made chiefly from iron and steel
you Will find the same thing has been
going on. We have reduced the imports
and at the same time have been cheapen-
ing the cost to the consumer.
BESSEMER IRON,
In England, April, 1899, price per ton S11 92