Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-10-06

ules. There NAV be differences OF ouIn on
among pToJeciIOnlStS as u the rate upon
particular ARTICLES necessary to affect an
equalization between wages abroad and at
home. In some not remote national cam
pagns the issue has hecn or more cor
Tectly has been made 70 appear 10 be-be-
tween a high and a low protective taTlff.
both parties expressing sJhcitiOus regard
for the wages OF our working people and
for the prosperity Of our domestic indus
tries. But, under more courageous lead
ership. the Democratic party has now prac-
tlcaily declared that, II given power il VIII
enact p tariff la~ without any regard to
It's eff ect upon wages or upon the capital
invested IN our great industries. The mai
Orlty 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 this cOun-
try the difference between the cost Of labor
here and abroad when such a difference
exists, fully measures an possible benefits
10 labor and the enormous additional inn
positions of the existing tariff fail with
crushing force upon our farmers and work
ihgmen" Here wc have a distinct admis-
sion Of the Republican contention that
American work In1men are advantaged bY
a tariff rate equal to the difference between
home aud fore .gn wages, and a declaration
only against the alleged additional I'M
positions OF the existing tariff law.
a gain, this majority report further de-
clared: But IN making a reduction in
taxes II is not proposed 10 injure any do
nestle industries, bat rather 10 promote
their healthy growth. Moreover. many
Industries have come TO rely upon legiSIa-
ton for successful continuance, so that
any change of law must be at every step
regardful Of the labor and capital in
vOlYed.' Here we have an admission that
many Of our Industries depend upon pro-
tectISe duties for their successful CON
tnuance and declaration that the tariff
changes should be regdrdiul of such indus
tries and OF the invested capital. Inc
overwhelming rejection OF these PROPOSE
tons, which had before received the sane
ton of Democratic National conventions
was not more indicative of the new and
more courageous leadership to which the
party has now committed itself than the
substitute winch was adopted. This sub
stitute declares that protective duties are
Observation-Disclosures protection, low pro-
lection, all unconstitutional. A DemOcra-
tic congress holding this view cannot enact,
nor a Democratic president approve. any
tariff schedule, the purpose or effect Of
which is TO limit importatIous or to give
any advantage to an American workman
or producer. A bounty might, 1 Judge, be
given to the importer under this view of
the constitution, IN order to increase inn
pOrtant lmpOrtatIOnS, and so the revenue
fol- revenue only IS the limitation.
RECIPROCITY WOULD GO TOO.
Reciprocity of course falls under this de-
nunclation, for It's object ana effect are not
revenue but the promotion of commercial
exchanges the profits OF which 20 wholly
to our producers. The doctrine was not
held or taught by the historic Democratic
statesmen whose fame as American pa
trl0tS has reached this generauon-cer-
tainly not by Jefferson or jackson. This
mad crusade against American shops,
the bitter eplthetS applied to American
manufacturers, the persistent disbelief of
every report OF the opening OF a tin plate
mill or OF an increase OF our foreign trade
by reciprocity are as surprising as they are
dScred table. There IS not Il thoughtful
business man in the country who does
not know that the enactment into law OF
the declaration of the Chicago convention
on the subject of the tariff would at once
plunge the country into business conYui-
sion such as it has never seen; and there is
not a thoughtful working man who does
not know that 1t would at once enormously
reduce the amount OF work TO be done Ia
this country by the increase of importa-
tons that would follow and neceSState a
reduction OF wages to the European stand
ard. If any one suggests that this radical
policy will not be executed ii the Demo-
"
thought of party that Is capable of thus
tritilng with great interests The threat
of such legislation Will he only less hurt
full than the fact. 4 distinguished Demo-
crat rightly described the movement as a
challenge to the protected industries to a
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 hold
ing even the most moderate protection
views TO 90 into the Republican party.
THE PRESENT TARIFF LAW.
And now a few words IN regard to the
existing tariff law. We are fortunately
able to Judge of It's influence upon produc-
ton and prices by the market reports.
The day of the prophet of calamity has
been succeeded by that of the trade re-
porter. An examination Into the effect of
the law upon the prices OF protected pro-
ducts and of the cost OF sucA articles as
enter into the living of people of small
means has been made by senate commit
tee composed of leading senators Of both
parties, with the aid of the best SUatISti-
clans, and the report, signed by all the
members OF the committee, has been given
TO the public. No such wide and careful
inquiry has ever before been made. These
facts appear from the report:
ElrSt-1he cost of articles entering into
the use OF those earning less than $1,000
per annum, has decreased to May, 1892,
81 per cent, 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 living
increased l.9 per cent Tested by their
power to purchase articles OF necessity the
earnings OF our working people have never
been as great as they are now.
SecOnd-There has been an average ad-
vance in the rate of wages of 10 of per
cent.
Third -There has been an advance in the
price of all farm products of 1857 per cent,
and of all cereals 55.59 per cent.
The ninth annual report of the chief of
the bureau of labor statistics OF the State
of New York, a Democratic officer, very
recently issued, corrohorates as TO that
state the facts found by the senate com
mlttee. His extended inquiry shows that
IN the year Immediately following the
passage of the tariff act of 1880 the aggre-
cate sum paid IN wages in that state was
S6,31Gg25 IN excess of the aggregate pro-
duction. SCI ,3l5, $50 in excess OF the pre-
cedIng year. In view OF this showing of
IN increase in wages. of reduction in the
cost OF articles. of common necessity and
of Il marked advance in the prices of agri-
culturai products, il Is PLAIN that this tariff
law has not imposed burdens but mas con
fprrpd benefits upOD the farmpr and tho