The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-07

the aggregate production of TIE wear and is
peculiarly subject TO the depreciation which
follows overproduction. But, while the fact /
have stated is true as to the crops mentioned,
the general average of prices has been such as
to give TO agriculture fair participation in the
general prosperity, The value of our total farm
products has increased from 81, 1868, 646, $50 in
1860 TO $500, 100000 in 1891. as estimated by
statisticians, an increase OF $50 per cent.
The number of hogs Jan. !, 1S9t, was SO, 625,-
$50, and their value S2l0, 1915. 925. On Jan. /,
S2l1, 031,415.
on Jan. l, 1891. the number of cattle was &C.
656,64s, and the value S544. 127. 9OS On Jan !,
ls9S, the number was S7.65l,sS9. and the value
$3.50, 749. 1855.
If any are disconnected with their state here
II any believe that wages or prices. the returns
TOT honest toll, are inadequate, they should not
Iall TO remember that there is no other country
ia the world where the conditions that seem 70
them hard would not BE- accepted as highly
prosperous The English agrcu turist would
be glad to exchange the returns OF his labor for
those OF the American farmer, and the Man
chester workmen their wages for those Of their
fellows at Fall River.
PRAISE FOR PROTECTION.
believe that the protective system which has
now for something more than thirty years con-
tnuously prevailed in our legislation has been a
mighty instrument for the DEVELOPMENT of our
national wealth, and most powerful agency in
prote ting the homes of our workingmen from
the invasion Of want, 1 have felt a most So
people rates of wages that would not only give
daily bread but supply comfortable margin
Tor those home attractions and fam lily com forts
and enjoyments without which life is neither
hopeful nor sweet. They are American citizens,
part Of the great people for whom our con-
stltutlon and government were framed and in
stituted, and it cannot be perversion Of that
constitution to so legislate as to preserve in
their homes the comfort. independence
loyalty and sense of interest in the
government which are essential to good
citizenship in peace, and which will
bring this stalwart throng as in 1861 to the de-
Tense OF the flag when it is asseiled. 1t is not
my purpose to renew here the argument in
favor OF a protective tariff. The result of the
recent election must be accepted as having in
troduced new policy. We must assume that
the present tariff, constructed upon the lines of
protection, is TO be repealed. and that there is
to be substituted for it 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 keep up the wages of
an American workman, but that in every case
such rate of duty is TO be imposed as will
bring to the treasury of the United States the
largest returns of revenue. The contest has
not been between schedules. but between the
principles, and it 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 | suppose, 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 a matter
OF regret that the 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 aud of diminished
production will necessarily result. 1t is possible,
also, that this uncertainty may result in de
creased revenues from customs duties, for our
merchants will make cautious orders for foreign
goods in view of the prospect of tariff red C.
tions and the uncertainty as TO when they will
take effect. Those who have advocated a pro-
tective tariff can well afford to have their
disastrous forecasts OF change OF policy
disappointed, II system OF Gus
toms dute can be framed that will set the idle
wheels ana looms of Europe in motion and
crowd our warehouses with foreign made goods,
and at the same time keep our own mills busy
that viii give increased participation in
the markets of the world of greater value
than the home market we surrender: that will
give increased work to foreign workmen upon
product TO be consumed by our people without
diminishing the amount of work to be done
here; that will enable the American manu-
facturer to pay to his workmen from 50 TO 100
per cent. more in wages than Is paid in the
foreign mills and yet to compete In our market
and foreign markets with the foreign producer;
that will further reduce the cost OF articles of
wear and food without reducing the wages of
| those who produce them; that can be celebrated
/
alton has been in European as well as in Ameri
can cities, the authors and promoters of it will
be entitled TO the highest praise. We have had
in our history several experiences of the con-
trasted effects of a revenue and of a protective
tariff but this generation has not felt them, and
the experience of one generation Is not highly
instructive to the next. The friends Of the pro
tectlve system with undlmlnlshed confidence in
the principles they have advocated will await
the results of the next experiment. The strained
and too often disturbed relations existing be-
tween the employees and the employers in our
| great manufacturing establishments, have not
been favorable to a calm consideration by the
! wage Garner of the effect upon wages of the
| protective systsm. The fact 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 con
! tests He may now be able to review the Ques
| ton in the light of his personal experience uu-
| der the operation Of tariff for revenue only
| If that experience shall demonstrate that pres
! ent rates of wages are thereby maintained OF
| increased, either absolutely or in their
| purchasing power, and that the aggregate
| volume of work to be done in this country is
| increased, or even maintained so that there are
| more or as many days work Ia year at as good
! or better wages for the American workman as
! has been the case under the protective system.
| every one will rejoice. general process of
| wage reduction cannot be contemplated by any
patriotic citizen without the gravest apprehen
! sion. 1t may be- indeed l believe is, possible
| for the American manufacturer to compete
successfully with his foreign rival in many
| branches of production without the defense OF
protective duties. IL the pay rolls are equalized
| but the conflict that stands between the pro-
| ducer and that result and the distress Of our
| working people when it il attained are not
| pleasant TO contemplate. The society of the
| unemployed, now holding it's frequent and
| threatening parades in the streets of foreign
cities should not be allowed to acquire an Amer.
| lean domicile.
| REPORTS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS.
The reports of the heads of the several ex-
! ecutive departments which are herewith sub
mitted have very naturally included a resume
| of the whole work of the administration will
| the transactions of the last fiscal year. The at
| tention not only of congress, but the country II
| again invited to the methods of administration
| which have been pursued and to the results
| which have been obtained. Public revenues
| amounting TO S1,4l4.079 ,292 % have been col
| lected and discussed without loss from msap-
| preparation, without single defalcation Of
| such inheritance as to attract public attention
and at a diminished percentage of cost for col
| lection.
| The public business has been transacted no
| only with fidelity, but progressively, and with
view of giving to the people in the fullest posi-
| BILE degree the benefits OF a service established
and maintained for their protection and com
| fort
| FOREIGN RELATIONS.
! Our relations with other nations are now un
disturbed by any serious controversy The com
| plcRted and threatening differences with Ger
| many and England relating to The Samoan
| affairs, with England in relation to the sea