Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-09-15

the rates upon particular articles necessary
to effect an equalization between wages
abroad and at home. In some not
remote national campaigns the is
issue has been said, or more correctly has been
made to appear, to be between a high and q low
protective tarin-both parties expressing some
soiicitous regard for the wages of our working
people and for the prosperity of our domestic
industries. But under more courageous lead
ersh1p, the democratic party has now practlc-
ally declared that. If given power, it VIII enact
Q tariff law without any regard to its effect up
on wages or the capital invested in our great
industries. The majority report Of the commit
zee on platform to the democratic national con-
vention at Chicago contained this clause:
s'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 abroad, when such difference ex-
ists fully measures any possible benefits TO
labor, and the enormous additional impoSit1onS
Of the existing tariff fall with crushing force
upon our farmers and workngmen."
Here we have distinct admission OF the re-
publican contention that American workmen
are advantaged by tariff rate equal to the
difference between home and foreign wages,
and a declaration only against the alleged ad-
ditional ''impositions' Of the existing tariff
law.
Again, this majority report further declared:
"But in making reduction in taxes It is not
proposed to injure any domestic industries, but
rather to promote their healthy growth .
Moreover many industries have come to rely
upon legislation for successful continuance, so
that any change of law must at every step be
gardful of the labor and capital thus involved -
Here have admission that many of our
industries depend upon protective duties '.for
their successful continuance" and 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 conventions
was not more indicative of the new and moro
courageous leadership to which the party has
now committed itself than the substitute which
was adopted This substitute declares that pro-
tective duties are unconstitutional-high pro-
lection, low protection-al1 unconstitutional A
democratic congress holding this view cannot
enact, nor democratic president approve, any
tariff schedule, the purpose or effect of which Is
to limit importations or to give any advantage
to our American workman or producer.
bounty might, judge, be given 10 the importers
under this view of the constitution in order to
increase importations and so the revenue, for
revenue only is the limitation.
Reciprocity, of course falls under this denun-
citation for its objects are not revenue, but the
promotion Of commercial exchanges, the profits
of which go wholly to our producers.
This destructive un-American doctrine was
not heidi or thought by the historic democratic
statesmen whose fame as American patriots
has reached this notwithstanding not by
Jefferson Jackson. This mad crusade
against American shops, the brutal
epithets applied to American manufacturers,
the persistent disbelief of every report of the
opening Of tin plate mill or an increase Of our
foreign trade by reciprocity, are as
surprising as they are discreditable.
There is not thoughtful business man
in the country who does not know that
the enactment into a law of the declaration Of
the Chicago convention on the subject OF the
tariff would at once plunge the country into a
business CONFUSION such as 1t has never seem
and there is not thoughtful workingman who
does not know that it would enormously reduce
the amount of work TO be done In this country
and by the increase of importation that would
come in would necessitate reduction Of his
wages to the European standard.
If any one suggests that this radical policy
will not be executed after the democratic party
assumes party, what shall be thought of a
party that is capable of thus trifling with great
interests? The threat of such legislation would
only be less hurtful than the fact
distinguished democrat rightfully described
this position challenge to the protected in
dustries to fight of determination, and anoth-
er such rightly expressed the logic of the situa-
ton when he interpreted the Chicago platform
to be an invitation to all democrats holding
even the most moderate protection views to go
into the republican party.
The effects of the Mckinley law are
claimed to have brought several indus
tries to this country, as tin plate, pearl
button and plush works. Mr.. Harrison
says:
The tariff law has given employment to many
thousands of American men and women and
Will each year give employment to increasing
thousands. Its repeal would throw thousands
out Of employment and give work to others
only at reduced wages The appeals of the free
trader to the workingman are likely addressed
to his prejudices or his passions and not infre-
quently are pronounced communism. The new
democratic leadership RACES at the employer
and seeks to comn1u ntcate his rage to the en-
plOye. greatly regret that all employers of
labor are not just and considerate and that cap
ita1 etimaS takes nj he
profits.
Bimetallism.
The resolution of the convention in favor of
bimetallism declares, 1 think. the true and
necessary conditions of movement that has
upon these lines my cordial adherence and sup
port am thoroughly convinced that the free
coinage of silver at such g ratio of gold will
maintain the equality in their commercial uses
of the two coined dollars would oonduce to the
prosperity Of all the great commercial nations
of the world
The one essential condition is that these dol
lars shall have and retain equal acceptable
tty and value in all commercial transactions
They are not only medium of exchange but a
measure of value; and when unequal measures
are called in law by the same commerce Is I'M
settled and confused and the unwary and ignor-
ant are cheated. Dollars of unequal CONNER
ial value will not circulate together The
better dollar is Withdrawn and becomes
merchandise. The true interest of all
our people and especially of the farmers and
working people, VINO cannot Closely observe the
money market is that every dollar paper or
coin. issued authorized by the government
shall at all times and in all its uses be the exact
equivalent, not only in debt paying, but in pur-
chasing power, of any other dollar. am quite
sure that IL we should act upon this sub
ject, independently of other nations, we would
greatly promote their interests ana injure our
own.
The monetary conditions in Europe within
the last TWO years have, I think, tended very
much to develop sentiment in favor of a
larger use of silver, and I was much pleased
and encouraged by the cordiaIity, promptness
and unanimity with which the invitation of this
government for an international conference
upon the subject was accepted by all the
powers We may not only hope for, but expect
highly beneficial results from this conference
which will now soon assemble When the re-
suit of the conference is known, we shall then
be able, intellGently, to readjust our financial
| legislation to any new conditions.
The Lodge Bill.
In my last annual message to congress said,
Il must yet hope that it is possible to secure a
calm, patriotic consideration of such constitu-
| tional or statutory changes as may be nee
| essary to secure the choice of the officers
| OF the government by fair apportionments
and free elections. I believe it will be
| possible to constitute commission non
| partisan in its membership aud composed of
patriotic, wise and impartial men to whom a
consfdera ton OF the Stions of the evils con-