The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-12-09
they amounted to st5 lss e9l az an excess for

they amounted to st5 1se, eol, et7, an excess for
There has never been time in our history
when work was 30 abundant or when wages
were as high, whether measured by the cur
rericy in which they are paid or by their power
70 supply the necessities and comforts OF life.
1t Is true that the market prices Of cotton
anfavUrable Incidents of agTcuture 9TH that the
farmer can not produce upon orders He must
SOW and reap in ignorance of the aggregate pro-
to the o Is
ton. But, while the fact have stated is true,
as to the crops mentioned, the general average
OF prices has been such as to give to agricul,
ture fair participation in the general
prosperity. The value of our total farm pro-
ducts has increased from 81, 1853, 6f6, S66 In 1850
in lSe as estimated PSy S sfarSs
OF hogs Jan. /, 1891, was 5O6s5, lO6 and their
value Sel0 l93, 925; on Jan. ]; 1892, the number
was 5s,SesO9 and the value sal U8i alS Szx on
and the value S5il, III. sos; on Jan. i, lSN the
number was 81 1851, 239 and the value 500, 7i9
loo II any are discon tented WITH tht their hr
wages or prices the returns for honest toll
are inadequate, they should not fail to re-
member that there is no other country IN the
hard would not be accepted rs highly prosper
Gus. The English agliculturist would be glad
to exchange the returns of his labor for those
of the American farmer q d the Manchester
workmen their wages for those of their fellows
at Fall River believe that the protective sys
tenn which has now for something like thirty
years prevailed in our legislation, has been
mighty instrument for the development of our
national wealth and "a most powerful agencyin
the invasion of want. have felt most solci-
tious interest to preserve to our working people
rates of wages that would not only give daily
bread bat supply comfortable margin for
those home attractions and fam ly COM
forts and enjoyments without which life
is neither hopeful nor sweet. They are Ameri-
can citizens-a part of the great people for
WI ON our constitution and government were
framed and instituted-ard it can not 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 css. initial to good citizen
ship in peace and which will bring this stall
wart throng, as in 1861, to the defense of the
flag when 1T Is assailed.
New Policy Introduced.
1t is not my purpose to renew here the argu-
ment in favor of a protective tariff. The
result of the recent election must be accepted
rs having introduced new policy. We must
assume that the present tariff, constructed
upon the lines of pro oction, is 10 be repealed
and that there is to tie substituted for it
tariff law constructed solely. with reference to
revenue; that no duty is to be higher because
increase VIII keep open an American mill
Or Keep up the wages OF an American work
man. but that in every case such
as VIII bring to the treasury of
OF the United states the largest returns of rev.
enue. The contention mas not been between
schedules but between principles and it would
be offensive to suggest that the prevailing par
ty VIII not carry INTO legislation the principles
advocated by 1t and the lodges given TO the
people The tariff bills passed by the house of
representatives at the last session were as
supposed, even in the opinion of their pro-
motors, inadequate, and justified only by the
fact that the senate and house of representa-
tives were not in accord. and hat general re-
vision could not, therefore, be undertaken.
recommend that the whole subject of tariff
revision be left 70 the incoming congress 1t is
matter of regret that this work must be de-
layed for at least three months; for the threat
OF great tariff changes introduces so much un-
certainty that an amount, not easily estimated,
of business inaction and of diminished pro-
duction will necessarily result 1t is posi-
BILE, :, also, that this uncertainty may
toms duties, for our merchants will
make cautious orders for foreign goodsin view
OF the prospect Of tariff reductions and the I'M
certainty as to when they will take effect.
Those who have advocated a protective tariff
can well afford to have their disastrous fore
casts OF change of policy disappointed. II a
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
sumed by our people without dim nishing the
amount OF work to be done here; that will en-
able the American manufacturer to pay TO his
wages than is paid in the foreign mill, and yet
foreign markets with the foreign pro-
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
Europe as well as in American cities, the au-
thors and promoters of 1t will be entitled to the
highest praise. We have had in our history
.tal
revenue and of a protective tariff; but this
generation has not felt them, and the expert
ence of one generation is not highly instructive
tenn, with undiminished confidence in the prin-
cipleS they have advocated, will await the
results OF the new experiment.
Strained Relations With Labor.
The strained and too often disturbed relations
ployers in our great manufacturing establish
ments have not been favorable to a
calm consideration by the wage-earner 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 absence of
.was impossible, were obscured by the passion
evoked by these contests. He may now be
able to review the question in the light of his
personal experience under the operation of a
tariff for revenue only, If that experience
shall demonstrate that present rates of wages
are thereby maintained or increased, either
absolutely or in their purchasing power, and
that tho aggregate volume of work to be done
in this country is increased, or even MAIN
tained so that there are more or asmany days
work in q year at as good or better wages for
the American workmen as has been the case
under the protective system, ev eryone will re-
joice. A general process of wage reduction
cannot be contemplated by any patriotic citizen
without the gravest apprehension. 1t may be,
indeed, 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
aay-rolls are equalized; but the conflict that
stands between 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 holding its
of foreign cities, should not be allowed to
acquire an American domicile.