The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-11
M'KINLEY A FALSE PROPHET.

Congressman William l.. Wilson very
tersely refers to remarks Of Governor
Mckinley when the conference report
on his bill was presented to the house
Of representatives September ~, 1890.
1t is applicable to the situation at
Homestead, for Mckinley then said:
"The metal schedule, which occupies
twenty five pages Of the bill, has re-
ceived earnest consideration because Of
its Importance to the great industries it
represents. Nothing has been done In the
metal schedule that can result in loss Of
business or prestige, and nothing that
can call for a reduction Of wages or a
diminution of the number Of working
men employed"
Certainly, there is prima facie evidence
that Mckinley proved a very bad
prophet, though this is by no means the
worst of it. He was very confident that
nothing in the schedule would call for
a reduction of wages What is the re-
suit? MI. Carnegie sends out n new
scale, lowering wages from 20 to 40 per
cent per individual and tells his men to
accept it OF quit work, which means
starvation. At the same time he really
dictated this schedule of the tariff. To
show that 1t proved highly satisfactory
to him, MI. Wilson quotes from the an
nual report Of the secretary OF the
American Iron and Steel association,
dated may, 1891, in which he says:
"During the long period in which this
measure received the consideration of
congress, the views of this association
concerning the proper framing Of the
metal schedule were frequently solicited
and were promptly given. The schedule
as it was finally adopted is, in my judg-
ment, the most harmonious aud most
completely protective of all the metal
schedules that have ever formed part of
our tariff legislation" sour iron and
steel manufacturers have reason to be
thankful that the new tariff adequately
protects their interests from foreign
competition. X y \ It is working adj
mirably."
And yet this is the beautiful tariff de-
signed to protect the home OF the
American w%orkingman. When the steel
schedule was framed who was consulted?
Why, the steel manufacturers, of course,
for they contributed heavily to elect
Harrison and must receive recognition.
The tariff was accordingly arranged to
their satisfaction as the secretary of the
association testifes. The workingmen
were not consulted because they we're
supposed to vote as their employers
said. This is the way protection to
American labor was brought about un-
der the schedule which Mckinley prom
ised would not reduce wages.
Well, the wages we're reduced, and the
bloodlest fight in the history of organ
lied labor followed as a result. The
tariff protected labor so we'll that Car
negie had to arrange dynamos and hot
water pipes to attack the laborers il
their righteous Indignation should take
the form of violence. 1t was the great
est object lesson of legislative wrongs
ever presented to a people. 1t shows
that "worklngmen are helpless when en-
ployers can form trusts, bar competition
and regulate wages and prices to suit
their W interests. This system ap-
plies not only to steel, but to all other
protected industries. The tariff breeds
monopolies and combines OF every de-
c1ri " n ~ - +, - 3lo .,sz
country from the toilers and producers
where 1t belongs to the few who have
fattened because they can dictate
national legislation.
The battle of Homestead is terribly
significant of similar affairs to come if
this system of unjust and iniquitous
taxation is to continue.