The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-12-08

present tariff, constructed upon the
lines,o OF projection, Is to be repealed
and that there Is to be substituted fol
1t tariff law constructed solely with
reference to revenue, that no duty is
to be higher, because the increase will
keep open an American mill or keer
up the wages OF an American work.
man, but In every case such u rate OF
duty is to be imposed as will bring to
the treasury of the United States the
largest returns of revenue. The con-
tention has not been between sched-
es, but between principles, and ii
would be offensive to suggest that the
prevailing party will not carry into
legislation the principles advocated by
1t and the pledges given to the people.
The tariff bills passed by the house OF
representatives at the last session
were, as 1 supposed, even in the
opinion of their promoters,
inadequate and justified only
by the fact that the senate and
house Of representatives were not
in accord and that general revision
could not therefore be undertaken. l
recommend that the whole subject of
tariff revision be left to the incoming
congress. 1t is matter of regret that
this work must be delayed for at least
three months for the threat of great
tariff changes, introduces so much
uncertainty that an amount not easily
estimated of business inaction and of
diminished production will necessari-
ly result. It Is possible also this un.
certainty may result in decreased re-
venues from customs duties. For our
merchants will make cautious orders
for foreign goods in view of the pros
pect of tariff reductions and the un-
Certainty as to when they will take
effect. Those who have advocated q
protective tariff can we'll afford to
have their disastrous forecasts of o
change of policy disappointed. If q
system of custom duties can be franz
ed that will set the idle wheels and
looms of Europe in motion
and crowd our warehouses
with foreign made goods and &C the
same time keep our own mills busy;
that will give us an increased partici-
patton in the markets of the world of
greater value than the home market
that we surrender; that will give in
upon products to be consumed by our
people without diminishing the
amount of work to be done here; that
will enable the American manufac-
turer to pay to his workmen from SO
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 producer;
that will further reduce the total OF
articles of wear and food without re-
ducing the wages of those who
produced them; that can be celebrated
after its effects have been realized, as
its expectation has been, in European
as we'll as In American cities. The
authors and promoters of it will be ell
titled to the highest praise. We have
had in our history several experiences
of the contrasted effects of revenue
and of protective tariff, but this gen.
GRAFTON has not felt them, and the ex-
perience OF one generation is not
highly instructive to the next. The
friends OF the protective system, with
undiminished confidence in the prin-
ciples they have advocated, will await
The results of the new experiment.
The strained and too often disturbed
relations existing between the en-
ploye and the employer in our great
establishments have
not been favorable to calm consider
alton by the wage earners of the ef-
feet upon wages of the protective sys-
tenn. The facts that his wages were
the highest paid in like callings in
the world and that maintenance
of this rate of wages in the
absence of protective duties upon the,
product of his labor. 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 un-
der the operation of tariff for revenue
only. If this experience shall dem.
onstrate that the present rates of
wages are thereby maintained or in
creased, either absolutely or in their
purchasing power, and that the ag.
volume of work to be done in
this country Is increased or even main
tanned so that there are more or as
many days work In year at as good
or better wages for tie American
workman as has been the case under
the protective system, every one will
rejoice.
A general process of wage reduction
cannot be contemplated by any patri-
otic citizen without the gravest ap-
prehension. 1t may be, indeed 1 be-
lieve is, possible for the American
to compete successfully
with his foreign rivals in
many branches of production
the defense of protective
duties, if the pay rolls are equalized,
but the conflict that stands between
the producer and that result and the
distress of our working people when 1t
Is attained, are not pleasant to contem-
plate. The society of the unemployed
now holding its frequent and threat
ening parties In the streets of foreign
cities should not be allowed to acquire
an American domicile.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS.
The reports OF the heads of the sew
eral executive departments which are
herewith submitted have very natur-
ally included resume Of the whole
work of the administration with the
of the last fiscal year.
Public revenues amounting to 81 Ill.,
O79, ,292. 90 have been collected and dis
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