The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1892-11-02
An Original Presentation Of the Tariff
Subject.


The idea that the tariff is an issue be-
tween the two old parties is mere fic
tion. The only honest tariff reform is tC
abolish the whole custom house banditti
system.
The practical effect Of all tariffs is to
create monopoly, distract and depreciate
the wages Of labor.
There never was even fair wages paid
to labor in any country only through the
demands Of organized labor. The theory
that protective tariff increases wages
brings surplus Of foreign labor on the
market, and it is this surplus, starved
labor, always found in protected coun-
tries that breaks down the efficiency Of
labor organizations. Then wages drop
to the minimum cost of living. This is
industrial slavery.
The only effect of the Mckinley tariff,
or tariff for revenue, can have upon
labor is to lower the price OF wages in
foreign countries, without increasing
wages in this country. Now then the
converse would be the effect il we made
a reduction in our tariff. Then foreign
labor would be justified in demanding an
increase Of wages equal to the.reduction
made in the tariff, and the demand would
be cheerfully acceded to, as q matter OF
justice; and 1t would cause no disturb
ance to the manufacturers OF Europe,
nor to the capital or labor Of this coun-
try. To illustrate: Suppose the United
States was to enter into treaty with
Great Britain and all other unprotected
nations of Europe, to reduce the tariff 10
per cent. per annum until free trade
basis was reached, the result would be
the price of foreign labor engaged in
manufacturing Of articles exported to
this country would rise in proportion to
the reduction of the tariff, and a sea
level of prices Of labor and the products
of labor would be reached without any
reduction of wages, or the products of
labor IN this country. The natural law
Of trade being thus restored, equitable
prices would obtain, and the supply
equal to the demand, labor would stay at
home contented in all countries. Our
high protective tariff has had but little
or no effect upon the profits of foreign
capital, but it has kept wages down to the
minimum cost Of living; yet labor is well
organized in Europe, but can demand no
increase in wages without crippling capi-
tai and stopping expectation.
ANY system of revenue that imposes a
tax upon consumption or restriction
upon the natural laws of trade, takes
from the mouth of labor the bread that
il has earned, and is at variance with the
divine rule OF justice: "As ye would
that men should do to you do ye also to
them likewise" This divine injunction
extends to all nations and all peoples.
The great object of government is to Sc
cure the greatest possible good, not only
to the members of its own organism, but
to every human being OF the universe.
The great truth that all men are created
equal must ever be bornei in mind in the
investigation Of this subject, and that
justice is the great regulator in human
affairs. Rightly administered, itstays dis
cord, facilitates social and commercial
intercourse, produces peace, quiet and
order, happiness in communities, states,
and Kingdoms. This is the gospel Of the
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