The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-12-14


of the year. and h. peculiarly subject to the
depreciation which follows over-produc-
tion. But. while the fact / have stated
general average OF prices has been such as
TO give to agriculture fair participation In
the general prosperity. The value OF our
total farm products has Increased from 81.
s63 500 in 1860 to s45o 5000 in 1921 as es
timated by statisticians, an increase OF 230 per
cent. The number OF hogs January /, 1891.
was 80 G25, 106 and their value $40, lD3, $685. on
January /, 1892, the number was 52,3yS0l9, and
the value S2il ,O3l, AIS. On January I, 1891, the
number of cattle was SO ,s75 ,6is, and the value
S544 ,9OS; on January l. 1882 the number was
81. COL ,239. and the value 1910 1856.
believe that the protective system, which
now for something like thirty years has pre-
vailed in our legislation has been mighty in
strument for the development OF our national
wealth and most powerful agency In protect
ing the homes OF our workin ymen from the
invasion OF want. i have felt most solicit
Gus interest to preserve to our working people
rates of wages that would not only give daily
bread but supply comfortable margin
for those home attractions and family
comforts and enjoyment without which life
Is neither hopeful nor sweet. They are Ameri-
can citizens-a part OF the great people for
whom our constitution and government were
framed and instituted-and IL cannot be per-
version of that constitution to so legislate as
TO preserve in their homes the comfort, indie
pendence loyalty and sense OF interest in the
government which are essential to good citi-
zenship in peace, and which will bring this
stalwart throng, as in 1861, to the defense OF
the flag when 1t Is assailed
Results of the Election.
1t is not ny purpose to renew here the argu-
ment in favor OF a protective tarir. The re-
suit of the recent election must be accepted as
having introduced new policy. We must as
sumo that the present tariff, constructed upon
the lines OF protection, Is to be repealed, and
that there is TO be substituted for it tariff
law constructed solely with reference to reve-
nue.; that the duty Is TO be higher not
because the increase will keep open an
American mill, or keep up the wages
of an American workman, but that In
every case such rate of duty Is to be
imposed rs will bring to the Treasury of the
United States the largest returns OF revenue.
The contention has not been between sched-
ules, but between principles, and 1t would be
offensive to suggest that the prevailing party
will not carry into effect the pledges given to
the people. The tariff bills passed by the
House OF Representatives at its last session
were, as L supposed, even In the opinion OF
their promoters. inadequate, and justified
only by the fact that the Senate and House of
Repres entatives were not In accord, and that a
general revision could not, therefore be under
taken.
recommend that the whole subject of tariff
revision be left to the incoming Congress. 1t
Is a matter OF regret that this work must be
delayed for at least three months; for the
threat of great tariff changes introduces SO
much uncel tainty that an amount not easily
estimated. OF business inaction and of dimin-
ished production will necessarily result. 1t Is
possible, Also that this uncertainty may result
IN decreased revenues from customs duties for
our merchants will make cautious orders for
foreign goods in view OF the prospect of tariff
reduction and the uncertainty as to when they
Will take effect. Those who have advocated q
protective tariff can well afford to have their
disastrous forecasts of change of policy dis
appointed. 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 prod
ucts to be consumed by our people without
diminishing the amount of work to be done
here that will enable the American manu-
facturer 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 producers;
that will further reduce the cost OF articles
OF wear and food without reducing 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 Will be entitled to the highest praise.
We have had in our history several experiences
OF the contrasted effect of revenue and of a
protective tariff, but this generation has not
felt them, and the experience Is not highly in
structive to the next. The friends of the pro-
tective system with undiminished confidence
In the principles they have advocated, will
await the results of the new experiment.
Effects of Labor Strikes.
The strained and too often disturbed rela-
lions existing between the employers and the
employees in our great manufacturing estab-
lishments have not been favorable to calm
consideration by the wage Garner of the effect
upon wages OF the protective system. The
facts that his wages were the highest paid in
like callings in the world, and that main
tenance OF this rate OF wages, in the alb
uct of his labor, was impossible. were OBJ
scured by the passion evoked by these
contests. He may now be able to review the
question in the light of his personal expert
n a
only. IL that experience shall demonstrate
that the present rate or wages are thereby
maintained or increased either absolutely 80
or In their purchasing power, and that the ag-
gregate volume of work to be done in this
country Is increased or even maintained, so
that there are more or many DAYS work In q
year at good or better wages for the American
workmen as has been the case under the pro-
tective system, every one will rejoice.
A general process of wage reduction cannot
be contemplated Ly any patriotic citizen with
out the greatest appreheI sion. 1t may be-in-
deed, believe, 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
pay-rols are equaliZed but the conflict that
and the distress of our working pc ople when
II is attained are not pleasant TO contemplate
Resume of Department Reports.
The reports OF the heads of the several execu-
tive departments which are herewith sub
mitted. have very naturally included resume
OF the whole work of the administration with
the transactions of the last fiscal year. The
attention not only OF Congress but OF the coun-
try Is again invited to the methods of admin
stration which have been pursued and TO the re-
suits which have been attsined. Public revenues
amounting to IL 400, 292. % have been col
lected and disbursed without loss frois mis-
appropriation, without single defalcaton of
such import ance az to attract the public at
tention, and ut a diminished per cent. OF cost
for collection. The public business has been
transacted not only with fidelity but Pro-
gressively, and with view to giving to the
people In the fullest possible degree the bene-
fits of n service established and maintained
for their protection and comfort.
Our relations with other nations arc now
undisturbed by any serious controversy. The
complicated and threatening differences with
Germany and England relating TO Samoan az
fairs, with .slg'and in relation to the seal
fisheries In the Behring sea, and with Chilli,
growing out OF the baltimore affair, have
been adjusted.
There have been negotiated and concluded.
under section of the tariff law, commercial
agreements relating TO reciprocal trade with
the following countries: Brazil Dominican
Republic, Spain for Cuba and Puerto Rico),
Guatemala, Salvador the German empire,
Great Britain for certain West Indian colo
MES and British Guiana), Nicaragua, Hon
duras, and Austro- Hungary.
or these those with Guatemala Salvador
the German Empire, Great Britain, Nicaragua,
Honduras, and Austria Hungary have been
concluded since my last annual message.
Under these trade arrangements, free favor
ed admission has been secured in every case
for an important list of American products.
Especial care has been taken to secure mar