Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-09-08

my most hearty approval The convention did
not adopt q schedule but principle that is TO
control all tariff schedules There NAV be E
ferences Of opinion among prot 'ctionists rs to
the rates upon particular articles necessary
TO effect an equalization between wages
abroad and at home, In some not
remote national campaigns the Il.
issue has been said, or more correctly has been
made 10 appear, to be between q high and low
protective tariff both parties expressing some
solicitous regard for the wages OF our working
people and for the prosperity OF our domestic
Industries But under more courageous lead
crship, the democratic party has now practic-
ally declared that II given power, II Will enact
tarin law without any regard 10 Its cnect up
on wages or the capital invested in our great
Industries The majority report Of the commit
tee on platform TO the democratic national con-
yention at Chicago contained this clause
THAT when custom house taxation Il levied
upon articles Of anv Kind produced In this
country, the difference between the cost Of
labor here and abroad, when such difference cx'
lists, fully measures any possible benefits to
labor, and the enormous additional impositions
Of the existing tarin fall with crushing force
upon our farmers and worklnRmen"
Here we have distinct adm ssiou Of the re.
publican contention that American workmen
arc advantaged by q tariff rate equal 10 the
difference between home aud foreign wages
and n declaration only again-, the alleged id
ditional "impositions" Of the existing tarin
law
Again. this majority report further dccl,rcd:
"But In making u reduction In taxes II II not
proposed TO injure any domestic industries, but
rather IN promote their healthy growth
Moreover many industries have come TO rely
upon legislation for successful continuance, 30
that any change OF law must ut every step he re.
gardtul OF the labor and capital thus involved "
Here we have an admission that many OF our
Industries depend upon protective duties "for
that tarin changes should be rcRlrdful Of the
workmen IN such industries and Of the invested
capital The overwhelming rejection Of these
propositions, which had before received the
sanction OF democratic national conventions
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 pro
| tectiye duties are unconstitutional high pro
| lection, low protection all unconstitutional A
| democratic congress holding this view cannot
| enact, nor democratic president approve any
tarr schedule, the purpose or effect Of which Is
TO limit importatlons or to give any advantage
to our American workman or producer A
| bounty might Judge, he given to the importers
under this view OF the constitution In order TO
increase importatons, and M the revenue, for
revenue only" Is tho limitation
| Reciprocity, OF course, falls under this dcnun-
citation for It's objects are not revenue but the
| promotion Of commercial exchanges, the profits
/ OF which 30 wholly TO our producers
| This destructive, unAmcrican doctrine was
not held or thought by the historic democratic
statesmen whose fame rs American patriots
has reached this generation certainly not by
jefferson or Jackson. This mad crusade
| against American shops, the brutal
/ epithcts applied to American manufacturers
the persistent disbelief OF every report Of the
opening OF a tin plate mill or an Increase Of our
foreign trade by reciprocity are as
/ ID hoe lfa,N.Na
There In not q thoughtful business man
! In the country who does not know that
the enactment into q law of the declaration OF
the Chicago convention on the subject OF the
! tarin would ~ once plunge N" country into u
business CONFUSION sush us It ms never seen
and there Is not a thoughtful workingmun who
dots not know that It would enormously reduce
the amount OF work to be done In this country
and by the increase OF impOrtatipns that would
come In would nocessltitc u reduction Of his
wages to the European standard.
II any one suggests that th4 radical policy
will not bo executed after the democratic party
assumes party, what shall he thought Of u
party that Is capable Of thus trifilng with great
intorestsi The threat Of such legislation would
only he less hurtful than the fact
A distinguished democrat rightfully described
this position as a challenge to the protected In
dustrics TO u Tight Of determination, and anoth
err such rightly expressed the logic Of the situa
zion when he interpreted the Chicago platform
TO he an Invitation To all democrats holding
even the most moderate protoc lion views to ~
into the republican party.
The effects Of the Mckinley law arc
claimed to have brought several indus.
tries TO this country, as tin plate, pearl
button and plush works Mr.. Harrison
says:
The tarn law has given employment to many
thousands Of American mcu and women and
will each year give employment 10 increasing
| thousands Its repeal would throw Thousands
out OF employment and give work to Others
only at reduced wages The appeals Of the free
trader to the wordingman arc likely addressed
10 his prciudices or his passions ami not infrc
quently are pronounced communism The new
democratic leadership RACES at the employer
and seeks TO communicate his rage to the en-
ploye greatly regret that all employers OF
labor are not Just and considerable and that cap
ital sometimes takes too large share Of tho
profits
The resolution Of the convention In favor Of
bimotallism declares, think the true and
necessary conditions ~ q movement that has
I upon these lines nv cordial adherence and sup
port am thoroughly convinced that the IRE,
coinage OF silver at such q ratio Of gold az will
maintain the equality In their commercial uses
Of the two cone1 dollars would conduce 10 tho
prosperity Of all the great commercial nations
! Of the world.
The one essential condition II that these dol
lars shall have and retain an equal acceptable
lty and value In oil Compercial transac lions
They are not only medium Of exchange, but q
measure Of value; and whom unequal measures
} are called In law by the same commerce II un
settled and confused and the unwary and ignor
ant are cheated Dollars Of unequal CONNER
ial value will not circulate together TIT
! better dollar II Withdrawn and become,
; merchandise, The true interest Of al
IT,.
] working people who cannot closely observe th'
money market In that every dollar, paper o
coin issued or authorized by the government
J shall OF all times and In all It's uses be the oIac
J equivalent, not only In debt paying, but In pur
chasing power, Of any other dollar am quit
sure that II we should now act upon this sub
a feet, independently Of other nations, We wOul,
3 greatly promote their interests anu iniure GU
2 own
! The monetary conditions IN Europe within
! the last two years have I think, tended yer!
Q much 10 develop sentiment In favor Of
. larger use Of silver, and ! was much please,
? and encouraged by The cordially, promptnca
I and unanimity with which the invitation Of mi
y government for an international conference
: upon the subject Was accepted by all IN
y powers We may not only hope for but eEpec
? highly beneficial results from this conference
: which will now soon assemble When the r,
suit Of the conference Il known, we shall the
be able, intelligently, 10 readiust our hnancia
legislation TO any new conditions
The Lodge BIil.
: In my last annual message 20 congress / saiC
!, n must yet hope that II N possible 20 secure
!, | calm, patriotic consideration OF such cOnsti
tional or statutory changes as may be ne
= essary to secure the choice Of the once
c OF the government by fair apportionmen
n and free elections 1 believe II will
4 possible 10 constitute q commission, no
= partisan in its membership and composed