Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-09-06

1000, and that this was not due to
temporary causes, but directly to the re-
ciprocity policy of the United States.
Germany and France have also shown
their startled appreciation of the fact that
a new and vigorous contestant has ap-
peared in the battle of the markets and
has already secured important advan-
tages The most convincing evidence of
the tremendous commercial strength of
our position is found in the fact that
Great Britain and Spain have found it
necessary to make reciprocal trade agree
ments with us for their West India colo
MES, and that Germany and Austria
have given us important concessions in
exchange for the continued free importa
ton of their beet sugar.
Partly by reason of the reciprocal trade
agreement, but more largely by reason of
the removal of the sanitary restrictions
upon American pork, our export of pork
products to Germany increased during
| the ten months ending June 80 last
81, 025, 074, or about 80 per cent
The Democratic platform promises
| repeal of the tariff law containing this
provision and especially denounces as a
''sham reciprocity" that section of the
law under which these trade arrange
| ments have been made. If no other issue
| were involved in the campaign this alone
would give it momentous Importance.
| Are the farmers of the great grain grow
ing States willing to surrender these new,
large and increasing markets for their
surplus? Are we to have nothing in eX-
| change for the free importation of sugar
and coffee, and at the same time to de-
| stroy the sugar planters of the South and
| the beet-sugar industry of the Northwest
and of the Pacific coast; or are we to have
4 the taxed sugar and coffee, which "tar-
iff for revenue only" necessarily involves,
! with the added loss of the new markets,
which have been openeds
Our commercial rivals in Europe do
not regard this reciprocity policy as a
| ''sham," but serious threat to trade
| supremacy they have long enjoyed. They
would rejoice-and, if prudence did not
restrain, would illuminate their depressed
| manufacturing cities-over the news that
4 the United States had abandoned it's sys-
tenn of protection and reciprocity.
THE PROTECTION DOCTRINE
The declaration of the platform in favor
of ''The American Doctrine of Protection"
meets my most hearty approval. The
convention did not adopt schedule, but
/ a principle that is to control all tariff
| schedules. There may be differences of
| opinion among protectionists as to the
rate upon particular articles necessary to
| effect an equalization between wages
abroad and at home In some not remote
or, more correctly, has been made to
appear to be-between a high and a low
| protective tariff-both parties expressing
| some solicitous regard for the wages of
our working people, and for the pros
| perity of our domestic industries.
But, under u more courageous leader
ship, the Democratic party has now prac-
tically declared that, if given power, it
will enact tariff law without any regard
to it's effect upon wages or upon the CAPT
tai invested in our great Industries. The
majority report of the committee on plat
form to the Democratic national conven-
4 tion at Chicago contained this clause:
"That when custom house taxation is
levied upon articles of any kind produced
in this country the difference between
the cost of labor here and labor abroad
when such a difference exists, fully
4 measures any possible benefits to labor,
I and the enormous additional impositions
of the existing tariff fall with crushing
force upon our farmers and working
1 men,"
Here we have distinct admission of
the Republican contention that American
workmen are advantaged by a tariff rate
equal to the difference between home and
foreign wages, and a declaration only
against the alleged Traditional imposi-
tions" of the existing tariff law.
Again, this majority report further de-
| clared:
4 'But, in making a reduction in taxes,
it is not proposed to injure any domestic
industries, but rather to promote their
healthy growth. Moreover, many indus
tries have come to rely on legislation for
successful continuance, so that any
change of law must be at every step re-
gardful of the labor and the capital thus
involved"
Here we have an admission that many
of our industries depend upon protective
duties 'for their successful continuance, u
and a declaration that tariff changes
should be regardful 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 con
ventions, was not more indicative of the
new and more courageous leadership tC
| which the party has now committed it.
| self than the substitute which was adopt
| ed. This substitute declares that protect
i've duties are unconstltutional-hig Ugh
protection low protection-all unconsti
, | tutiQnal. Reciprocity, of course falls I'M
der this denunciation, for its object and
effect are not revenue, but the promotion
of commercial exchanges, the profits oil
| which go wholly to our producers.
This mad crusade against American
| shops, the bitter epithets applied tc
| American manufacturers, the persistent
t disbelief of every report of the opening Of
q tin-plate mill, or of an increase of ouI
, foreign trade by reciprocity, are as sur
, prising as they are discreditable There
is not thoughtful business man in the
country who does not know that the
, enactment into law of the declaration o
a the Chicago convention upon the subjec
of the tariff would at once plunge TIN
country into business co"vulsion sucl
. as it has never seen.
s There is not thoughtful workingmar
u that does not know that it would at one
? enormously reduce the amount of worl
/ to be done in this country, by the in
crease of importations that would follow
and necessitate u reduction of his wage
to the European standard. If any on
g suggests that this radical policy will no
!, be executed if the Democratic party attain
e power, what will be thought of part
s | + hat is Gamble of thus trifiing with grea