St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-09-06
MEETS HIS APPROVAL.
The Doctrine of Protection Lauded
to the Skies.

The declaration of the platform in favor
of the american doctrine of protection
meets my most hearty appreciation. The
convention did not adopt a schedule but
principle that is to control all tariff sched-
ules There will be differences of opinion
among protectionists rs TO the rate upon
particular articles necessary 10 effect an
equalization between wages abroad and at
home In some not remote national cam
| palSnS the issue has been-or more correctly.
has been made to appear to be-between a
nigh and low protective tariff, both parties
expressing some SOicitous regard for the
wages OF our working people and for the
prosperity OF our domestic Industries.
But, under more courageous leadership.
the Democratic party has now practically
declared that II given power, IL will enact q
tariff law without any regard to its effect
upon wages or upon the capital invested in
our grea. industries. The majority report of
the committee on platform 10 the democratic
national convention at Chicago contained
this clause:
That when custom house taxation is
levied upon articles of any kind produced in
tins country the difference between the cost
OF labor here and abroad, when such differ
ence exists, fully assures any possible bene-
fits 10 labor, and the enormous additional
impositions of the existing tariff fall with
crushing force upon our farmers and work
ingmen."
Here we have a distinct admission of the
Republican contention that American work
men are advantaged by a tariff rate equal to
the difference between home and foreign
wages and declaration only against the
alleged additional impositions of the ex-
listing tariff law. Again. this majority report
further declared:
But i'll making a reduction of taxes it is
not proposed to lnjure any domestic indus
tries, but rather 10 promote their healthy
growth. Moreover, many industries have
come to rely upon legislation for successful
continuance, so that any change of law must
be at every step regard1nl of the labor and
the capital thus involved
Here we have an admission that many of
our industries depend upon protective
duties FOR their successful continuance
ana declaration that tariff changes should
be regardful of the workmen in such indus
tries, and OF the invested capital.
The overwhelming rejection of these
propositions, which had before received the
sanction of Democratic national conven-
tons was not more indicative OF the new
and more courageous leadership to which
the party has now committed itself than the
substitute which was adopted This sub
stltute declares that protective duties are un-
constitutional-high protection, low protec-
uon-all unconstitutional.
a Democratic congress holding this view
cannot enact nor approve any tariff sched-
ule, the purpose or effect of which is TO
limit importations or to give any advantage
10 an American workman or producer A
bounty might judge, be given to the i'm
porter under this view of the condition. i'll
and so raise revenue-for revenue only is
the limitation.
reciprocity, Of course, falls under this de-
nunciation. for its object and effect are not
revenue, but the,promotion of commercial eX-
changes, the profits OF which go wholly to
our producers. This destructive, unAmerican
doctrine WAS not held or taught by the his.
torlc Democratic statesmen whose fame as
American patriots has reached this genera
tion-cerlainly not by jefferson or jackson
This mad crusade against American shops.
the bitter epithets applied 10 American man.
ufacturerS. the persistent disbelief of every
report of the opening of n tin plate mill or of
an increase Of our foreign trade by reciproc-
lily are as surprising as they are diScreditable.
There is not thoughtful business man who
does not know that the enactment into law of
the subject of the tariff would at once plunge
the country into a business CONFUSION such
as 1t has never seen: and there is not
thoughtful worklnemau who does not know
that it at once would reduce the amount of
work to be done i'll this country by the in.
crease of importations that would follow and
necessiate reduction of his wages to the
European standard
If any one suggests that this radical policy
will not be executed if the Democratic party
attains power what shall be thought of Il
party that is capable of thus trifing with
great interests? The threat Of such legiSla-
tiOn would be only less hurtful than the fact
distinguished Democrat rightly described
this movement as a challenge to the pro-
tected Industries to fight of determination,
and another such rightly expressed the logic
of the situation 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.