The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-21
FREE TRADE MISERY.
The Awful Object Lesson Seen
in British Cities.
THOUSANDS LIVE ON CHARITY,
Evangelist Brown Tells Of the Grinding
Poverty and Starvation Wages
Of British workmen.

The Rev. H W. Brown, the evangelist, who II
now conducting . revival At the Market street
Baptist church in this city, lie an ardent Ameri-
cs1. and though not an active politician, he
takes Lively Interest In the welfare OF his coun-
try. He has just returned from several months
OF religious work in Scotland, Wales ana Eng.
land, and while abroad made a careful study OF
the conditions OF the people In free trade Eng
land s. compared with their conditions here
under the system of protective tariff. In giving
the result OF his observations TO . reporter Of
the PosT-isTELLIGEscEg yesterday. be said:
lam glad that this is a campaign of ideas and
not OF personalities and mud -sliuainc con-
slider the question OF the tart e one OF absorbing
interest, and fully believe that the progress Of
the country viii be retarded for twenty wears il
the Democrats should be elected and begin TO
tinker the Mckinley bill In the cities OF Edin-
burgh, Glasgow aud London saw, many times,
public halls by benevolent people. They had
no work, and, but for this means of getting food.
would have starved. DOUBT If there be an.
other country in the world where theirs are SO
many Idle men and SO much human su ffering
as in Great Britain. The condition OF the
masses 10 awful No tongue or pen can truly
Though England's merchant marine does a
great part OF the commerce of the world. and
he. manufactures turn out Tremendous guam
titles OF goods, and though the profits OF the
manufacturers appear to be satisfactory vet
her Industrial masses toll and suffer and never
ssem TO get ahead. This arises from the fact
that the low price OF her output IL made Dog
sible, not so much by q reduction IN the profits
oil her capitalists as ~ reduction in the price
which Is paid Tor labor Among She various
bsniilings or about $L20 per day farm hands
~ cents per day, iron men from $40 70 & % per
day. bus drivers from $50 to si-zo per day,
women servants about 81 per week, plain seam
stresses about D cents per day, and go on ali
along the line. Clothing il somewhat cheaper
other necessaries Of lie are higher, very mater
ally higher. But just as true as sunlight Q
iaoorsr, no matter what he works at, cannot buy
nearly so much for his days toll as no can il,
this country. The greatest hope that have Is
that some of the leading and most earnest work
. men OF this country could be sent over to Eng
land to see the true condition OF things, SO that
they could come back and tell their brethren
what they saw. i do not believe that then
many OF our toiiers would vote tor free trade or
free Trade candidates
The more l saw of Great Britain. the moro
strongly was convinced THAI protective tariff
is the only sale policy for this country. do
not favor excessive duties, but shall always ad-
vocate mat they be high enough TO Keep out the
products OF other countries which are liable to
enter INTO competition with those of this
country.
In Wales talked with great many OF the tin
plate manufacturers. as well the common
workingmen. and they are without exception
red hot ia anger at Mckinley and his bill. Is
hiss had most depressing effect on that indus
try In that country, aud many of the mills have
gone out OF the business. These things I saw
with my own eyes. lace manufacturer told
me In the city OF London that before the Me.
Kinley bill went into operation he used 70 sell
70 one Arm alone in New York 100000 worth of
laces, but that now he does not sell 1t dollars
worth. The same line of goods Is manu- factured
IN this country and does not cost one cent more
than ii did before. In talking with Q number
OF knglishmen, was told that the wealthy men
OF England had raised a large fund to help Sc
cure the election OF Cleveland, because, II free
trade could be established in the United States.
IL meant wonderful prosperity for England.
amuses me 10 hear people claim that the
protective tariu has always caused goods TO TO
Taisef in price. / remember the time when
steel rails cost 81 10 ton and last year the
grade OF rails could be- purchased in Pittsburg
TOR 81 per ton, and numerous other instance
OF a similar nature could be cited. think that
the experience Of the country warrants the con-
clut on that full protection TO home labor and
home products IL the true policy FOX this coun-
try.
don't know much about the Peoples party,
bat / do remember we'll between 1So5 and 1860
the trouble We had in this country with the
thousands Of wildcat state banks. know that
kind and have awakened the next morning
and found that during the night 1t had de-
creased 50 per cent in value. In those DAYS
everybody carried a bank reporter in order 70
see what certain bank note worth before
taking II In exchange for goods or in payment
for labor.
en- not politician. but sincerely hope that
Harrison VIII 10 elected. At this stage Of our
national history caunot AFFORD to take any
backward steps-
Mr.. Brown is . noted man. For more than
twenty years he has been engaged In the cause
OF converting men 10 the Christian religion.
He has visited many countries aud has in every
place won q well deserved reputation a, a man
oil learning and as an earnest and sincere Chris
tan. His views are entitled to the deepest con-
sideration.