The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-09-14
every step regardful OF the labor ana the oapi-

"for their successful continuance" and decla-
ration that tariff changes should be regaIdfui
invested capital.
The overwhelming rejection of these propo-
of Democratic National conventions WAS not
more indicative OF the new and more courage
GUS leadership to which tho party has now
committed itself than the substitute which
was adopted. This substitute declares that
protective duties are unconstitutional-high
protection, low protection-all unconstitu-
tional. A Democratic Congress holding this
view cannot enact nor a Democratic President
approve any tariff schedule the purpose or
effect Of which Is to limit importations or to
give any advantage to an American workman
or producer. bounty might, / judge, be
given to the importer under this view of the
Constitution In order to increase important
only" Is the limitation. Reciprocity of course
falls under this denunciatton, for its object
and effect are not revenue, but the promotion
OF commercial exchanges, the profits Of which
60 wholly to our producers.
Mr.. Harrison denies that the policy
of the Democrats to-day was the policy
OF Jefferson or Jackson, and character
ICES the present doctrine as destructive
and un- American. He says:
There is not a thoughtful business man in
the country Who does not SW that the
oago convention on the subject OF the tarir
would ut once plunge the country into bust
there is not a thouehtfui workinemsn' who
does not know that 1t would at once enorm-
ously reduce the amount Of work to be done In
that would follow and necessitate reduction
Of his wages to the European standard. IL any
one suggests that this radical policy will not
be executed IL the Democratic party attains
power what shall be thought of party that is
capable Of thus trifilng with great interests?
The threat Of such legislation would be only
less hurtful than the fact.
And now a few words In regard to the exist
ing tariff law. We are fortunately able to
Judge OF it's influence upon production and
prophet Of calamity has been succeeded by that
of the trade reporter. An examination into
the effect of the law upon the prices Of pro-
Giles enter into the living of people of small
means has been made by q committee COM
posed OF leading Senators of both parties, with
the aid Of the best statisticians, and the re-
port, signed by all the members of the COM
mittee, has been given to the public. No such
wide and careful inquiry has ever been before
made. These facts appear from the report:
/. The cost of articles entering into the use
OF those earning less than 81 900 per annum has
decreased up TO May, 1892. 81 per cont, while
In farm products there has been an increase In
prices, owing In part to an increased foreign
demand and the opening Of new markets. In
England during the same period the cost OF
power to purchase articles of necessity the
earnings OF our working people have never
been as great as they are now.
q There has been an average advance In the
rate of wages OF rs OF per cent.
s. There has been an advance in the price of
all farm products OF 1857 per cent and OF all
The ninth annual report of the chief Of the
bureau of labor statistics Of the State OF New
York. Democratic officer, very recently
the facts found by the Senate committee
In view of this showing 1t is plain that this
tariff law has not imposed burdens but con-
ferred benefits on the farmer and the working
man.
Some special effects Of the act should be no.
ticed 1t was a courageous attempt to rid our
people of q long maintained foreign monopoly
on the production of tin plate, pearl buttons,
silk plush, linens, lace, etc. Once or twice in
our history the production OF tin plate ne
Welsh makers would have enabled our makers
TO produce 1t at profit. But tho Welsh max
ers at once cut prices to point that drove the
American beginners out of the business. and
when this was accomplished again made their
own prices. A correspondent Of the Industrial
World, the official organ of the Welsh tin-plate
workers, published al Swansea In the issue OF
June 10, 1892, advises new trial Of these meth
DDS. He says:
and workmen) to produce tin-plates, tariff or
no tariff, at price that will drive all competi-
tors from the field"
But in spite of the doubts raised by the cleo
tions OF 1890 and of the Vaccinations of
foreign producers to maintain their monopoly.
the tin-plate industry has been established In
the United States, and the alliance between
the Welsh producers and the Democratic party
for its destruction will not succeed.
The President then shows that In this
country the past year there was pro-
duced over $4,000, 900 pounds OF tin and
terne plates. In continuance:
Another industry that has been practically
created by the Mckinley law is the making OF
pearl buttons. Few articles coming to us from
abroad were 80 distinctly the product OF star
walton wages.
But, without unduly extending this letter, I
cannot follow in detail the Influences OF the
tariff law OF $780, This tariff law has given
employment to many thousands OF American
men and women and will each year give EN-.
ployment to increasing thousands. It's repeal
would throw thousands out of employment
and give work TO others only at reduced wages.
In considering the motives OF DEM
ocracy's leaders, the President says:
The appeals Of tho free-trader to the
workingman are largely addressed to
his pre- udices or TO his passions, and
not infrequently are pronouncedly COM
munistic. But Of the outcome, he says:
They will settle the tariff contest in
the calm light of their November fire.
sides, and with sole reference to the
prosperity Of the country Of which they
are citizens and Of the homes they have
founded for tteir wives and children"
No intelligent advocate OF a protective tariff
uniform rate OF wages without regard to fiuc-
tuations In the supply OF and demand for the
products or labor, but 1t Is confidently claimed
that protective duties strongly tend to hold
up wages, and are the only barrier against q
reduction to the European scale.
The Southern States have had a liberal par
ticipation in the benefits of the tariff law,
and, though their representatives have gener-
ally opposed the protection policy, rejoice
that their sugar, rice, coal, ores, iron fruits,
cotton cloths and other products have not
been left to the fate which the votes Of their
Representatives would have brought upon
them. In the construction Of the Nicaragua
canal, In the new trade with South and Gen.
trail America. in the establishment of Ameri-
can steamship lines, these States have also
special interests and all these interests will
not always consent to be without representa-
tion at Washington
Shrewdly, but not quite fairly our adver-
saries speak only OF the increased duties i'm
posed upon tin, pearl buttons and other arti-
oles by the Mckinley bill, and omit altogether
any reference to the great and beneficial en-
largement or the free list. During the last
fiscal year 1853 ,000, 772 worth Of merchandise or
to35 per cent. OF our total importations came
In free 1.-THE largest percentage In our history
while In 1889 the per cent. of free importations
was only 34.42 per cent. The placing of sugar
upon the free list has saved to the consumer I'm
duties in fifteen months, after paying the
bounties provided for Ss7 600 O00 This relief has
been substantially felt in every hou 8 hold
upon every Saturdays purchase Of the work.
ingman.
One OF the favorite arguments against a pr O.
tective tariff Is that 1t shuts us out from n par
ticipation In what is called, with swelling en-
pbaata Hthe m rketa the world tbI.