The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-09-06

pressing some olicitousregar for the WAGES
OF our working people and for the prosperity
OF our domestic Industries. But under q
moro courageous leadership the Demo
cratic party has now practically declared
that. II given power. it will enact a tariff
law without any regard 70 it's effect upon
wages or upon the capital invested IN our
great industries. The majority report or
the committees or platform TO the Demo-
cratic national convention at Chicago con.
tanned this ciause:
That when ustom-house taxation il levied
upon articles OF any kind produced in this country
the difference between the cost of LABOR here and
abroad. when such a difference exists. fully
measures any possible benefits To labor and the
enormous additional lmpoSiti0ns OF the existing
tariff fall With crushing force upon our farmers
and worklngnen.
Here We have a distinct admission of the
Republican contention that American
workmen are a~dvsntaTed by a tariff rate
equal 10 the difference between home and
foreign wages. and a declaration only
against the alleged additional IMPOSE
tions" of the existing tariff law. Again
this majority report further declared:
But, ia making a reduction in taxes, il Is not
proposed TO iniure any domestic industries, but
rather TO promote their healthy growth
Moreover, many industries have come to rely
upon legislation for successful continuance. so
that any change of law must be nj every step re-
zardfulo or the labor and the ce pital thus involved
Here 70 have an admission that many of
our industries depend upon protective du.
ties for their successful continuance. and q
declaration that tariff changes should be
regardful of the workmen IN such indus
Tries and of the invested capital.
The overwhelming rejection OF these
propositions. which had before received
the sanction of Democratic national con-
ventions, was not more indicative OF the
new and more courageous leadership 10
which the party has now committed itself
than the substitute which was adopted.
This substitute declares that protective
duties are unconstitutional: high protec-
ton. low protection. all unconstitutional.
A Democratic Congress holding this view
cannote enact nor a Democratic President
approve any tariff schedule the purpose or
effect or which Is 10 INIT importations or
to give any advantage To an American
workman or producer. A bounty might. L
Judge. be gwen TO the importer. under this
view of the Constitution. in order TO in-
crease ImportatioEs. and so revenue,
for revenue only" Is the limitation. Reci.
procity. OF course. falls under this denun-
citation. for it's object and effect arc not
revenue. but the promotion OF commercial
exchanges. che profits of which 20 wholly
to our producers. This destructive, un.
American doctrine was not held or taught
by the historic Democratic statesmen
whose fame as American patriots has
reached this generation. certainly not by
Jefferson or jackson.
This mad crusade against American ships,
the bitter epithets applied TO American
manufacturers, the persistent disbelief OF
every report of the opeaing of a tln-plste
iuilf, Or OI III luCIedSo Oh our ioTtlku tThuc
by reciprocity, are cas- surprising as they
are discreditable. There is not a thought
full 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 country into a business con-
vulsioD such IS 1t has never Sen, and
there is not a thoughtful workIngman
who does not know That IL would at once
enormously reduce the amount or
work to be lone in this country.
by the increase of mportations that would
follow. and necessitate a reduction of his
wages To the European standard. IT any
one suggests that this radical policy Will
not be executed if the Democratic party at
talns power. what shall he thought Of u
party that is capable of thus tritlng with
great interestsf The threat of such legisla-
tiOn w0nid be only less hurtful than the
fact. A distinguished Democrat rightly
described this movement ~ challenge 10
the protected industries to = light of ex-
termination; and another such rightly ex-
pressed the logic of the situation when he
interpreted the Chicago platform To be an
invitation to all Democratstholding even the
most moderate protection views to 60 into
the Republican party.
THE PRESENT TARIFF LAW.
And now q few words la regard TO the
existing tariff law. We are fortunately
able to judge of it's influence upon produce
ton and prices by 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 protected products and
the cost of such articles as enter into the
living of people OF small means has been
made by q Senate committee composed of
leading Senators of both parties, with the
aid Of the hest statisticlans. and the report.
signed by all the members of the commit
tee. has been gwen TO the puhlic. No such
| careful inquiry has ever before been made.
| These facts appear FROM the report:
First-The cost of articles entering into
the use of those earning less than $1,000
per annum has decreased. MP to May. 1892,
3.4 per cent, while in farm products there
has been an increase in prices. owing In
part to an increased foreign demand and
the opening of new markets. In England.
during the same period, the cost of LIVING
increased 10 per cent. Tested by their
power TO purchase articles of necessity the
earnings of our working people have never
been as great as they are now.
Sec0nd-Ihere has been an average adj
vance In the rate of wages of IS of l per
cent.
the price of all farm products of 1913 per
cent. and OF all cereals of SO. 50 per cent.
The ninth annual report of the Chief OF
the Bureau of Labor statistics of the State
of New York, ~ Democratic officer. very
recently issued. strongly corroborates. az
TO that State, the facts found by the Senate
committee. HIS extended inquiry shows
that in the year immediately following the
!. passage of the tariff act of 1870 the aggrc-
gate sum paid in wages IN that State was
| S6.317, 925 in .xcess, and the aggregate pro
auction S3l. Sl5. $50 in excess of the preceding
year.
In view of this showing of an increase in
WAGES, of "a reduction III the cost OF articles
OF common necessity, and OF q marked adj
vance in the prices of agricultural products,
il is plain that this tariff law has not i'm
| posed burdens, but has conferred benefits
THE TEMPLATE INDUSTRY.
Some special effects of the act should be
noticed. il was a courageous attempt to
rid our people OF a lon -maintained foreign
monopoly in the production of tin plate.
pearl buttons, silk plush. linens. lace. etc.
Once or twice in our history the produc-
ton of tin plate had been attempted. and
the prices obtained by the Welsh makers
would have enabled our makers to produce
it at q profit. But the Welsh makers at
once cut prices TO . point over which the
American beginners IN the business could
not compete, and, this accomplished. they
again raised prices. A correspondent OF
the Welsh organ of tue in-piate-makers,
at Swansea, In the issue of June IL, loy2.
advises a new trial of these methods. he
says:
Do not be deceived. The victory OF the Re-
pubhcans at the polls means the retention OF the