Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-09-06


wages abroad and ct home.
In some not remote national campaigns tho
issue has hcen-or, more correctly, has been
made TO appear TO he-between high and
low protective tariff, both parties expressing
some solicitors regard for tho wages of our
working people and for the prosperity of our
domestic Industries; but. under "a more cour-
ageous leadership, the Democratic party has
now declared that, IL given power it will enact
a tariff law without any regard 10 its effect
upon wages or upon the capital invested In our
great industries The majority report OF the
committee on platform 20 the Democratic ma
tional convention nc Chicago contains this
clause.
"rhat when custom house taxation IS levied
upon articles of any kind produced in this couE-
try the difference between the cost of labor
here and labor abroad, when such difference
exists fully measures any possible benefits 90
labor, and the enormous additional impositons
OF the existing tariff fall with crushing force
upon our farmers and workingmonn
Here we have distinct Republican conten-
tion that American workmen are advautaged
10y tariff rate equal 10 the difference between
home and foreign wages and a declaration only
against the alleged additional imposiuons" of
the existing tariff law.
Again, this majority report further declared:
"but In making reduction Ia taxes 1t Is not
proposed TO injure any native industries, but
rather 10 promote their healthy growth.
NhNlNNNtlt many INDUSTRIES nave fNlNt TO rely
upon legislation for successful continuance 80
that amy change OF law must be no every ates
regardtui Of the labor and the capital thus In
volved.n Here we have an admission that many
Of our industries depend upon protective duties
"ior their successful continuance. and adeclar-
alton that tarin changes should be regardiul of
the workmon IN such industries and Of the in
vested capital
The Democratic Position.
~
sitions which had before received the sanction
% Democratic national conventions, was not
moro indicative of the new and more cour-
ageous leadership to which the party has now
committed itself than tho substitute which
was adopted. This substitute declares that
protective duties are unconstitutional high
protection, low protectou-all uncons;itu-
tionaL a Democratic congress holding this
view cannot enact. nor a Democratic president
approve, any tarin schedule the purpose or of-
feet of which is 20 limit importations or TO give
any advantage 10 an American workman or
producer. A bounty might, Judge be- given
20 the importer under this view Of tho consu-
tuition In order 20 increase imp0rtutions and
80 the revenue-for revenue only'-is the linn
itation. Reciprocity of course falls under this
pronunciation, for ita object and effect are not
revenue, but the promotion OF commercial eX-
changes, the profits Of which go wholly to our
producers.
This destructive un-American doctrine was
not held or taught by the historic Democratic
statesmen, whose fame as American patriots
has reached this generation certainly not by
Jefferson or jackson. This mad crusade against
American shops. the bitter opithets applied to
American manufacturers, the persistent disbe-
lief Of every report of the opening OF a tin plate
mill, on Of an increase OF our foreign trade By
reciprocity, are as surprising as they are dis
creditahle. There Is not thoughtful business
man Ia the country who does not know that
tho enactment into law Of the declaration of
the Chicago convention upon the subject of the
tarin would at once plunge the country into a
business convulsion such as it has never seen;
ana there Is not a thoughtful worllingman who
does not know that Il would at once enormous
ly reduce the amount of work TO be done IN
this country by the increase Of importations
that would follow, and necessitate q reduction
Of his wages TO the European standard
IL any one suggests that this radical policy
will not bo executed II tho Democratic party
attains power, what shall DO thought OF a party
that Is capable OF thus triiing with great inter-
estsi The threat of such legislation would be-
only less hurtful than the fact distin.
guislnd Democrat rightly described this move
ment as a challenge 10 the protected industries
60 fight OF determination, and another such
rightly expressed the logic of the situation
whom he interpreted the Chicago platform to
be an invitation 90 an Democrats holding oven
the most moderate protection yiew8 to 90 into
the Republican party.
The Existing Tarin.
And now a few words i'm regard TO the oxist-
ing tariff law. We are fortunately able TO
judge of It's influence upon production and
prices by the market reports. The day of the
prophet OF calamity has been succeeded by that
of the trade reporter. An examination into
/ the effect of the law upon tho prices OF pro-
tectod products, and of the cost of such articles
as enter into tho living Of people of small
N.....I IL j
composed OF leading senator's of both parties,
with the aid of the best siatisticans, and the
report signed by an the members of the COM
inittee, has been given to the public No such
wide and careful inquiry has ever before been
made These facts appear from the report:
first-'rhe cost of articles entering into the
use of those earning less than $40 % per annum
has decreased, up TO May, lsg2, 80 per cent,
while In farm products there has been an in
crease IN prices, owing Ia part 10 an increased
foreign demand and the opening OF now mar
Sets. In England during the same period the
cost Of living increased 10 per cent Tested by
their power 20 purchase articles Of necessity
the earnings of our working people have never
been as great as they are now.
Second-Iherc has been an average advance
in the rate of wages of 15.i00 of per cent
Third-rhere has been an advance IN tho price
of ell farm products Of 1857 per cent, and OF
an cereals 49, 5e per cent.
ANAs AAAtAA AHNA AANM MANNNn INC NNlIIL OF
Commissioner Peck, of New York. In sup
port Of his arguments, and proceeds to dis
cuss tin plate production in this country.
He says;
Once or twice in our history tho production
Of tin plate had boon attempted, and the prices
obtained by the Welsh makers would have en-
ahled our makers TO produce it at profit But
the Welsh makers 90 once cut prices 20 point
that drove the American beginners out OF the
business and when this was accomplished again
made their own prices A correspondent Of
Tho Industrial World, the official organ OF the
Welsh tin plate workers. published at Swansea
Ia the issue of June no. 1882. advises a new trial
Of these methods. He Says.
"Do not De deceived. The victory OF the Re
puhicans at the polls means the retention OF
tine Mckinley bill, and means the rapidly ac
.ruing loss of the sd per cont. OF the export
American trade Had there been 40 Democrat,
victory in lou the spread of the tin plate manu-
hciure I'm the United States would have beer
both rapid and bona fde. II Is not vet TOO LAT,
10 do something TO reduce the price OF plates
Put them down % lls. per box OF &C. lixsD ful
weight basis Let the workmcn take half pa,
e Tor a few months and turn out more. Then la
the masters forego profits for the same time.~
But m spite of the doubts raised by the cleo
tons of leyl and of the Vaccinations OF foreisi
producers TO maintain their monopoly, the in
plate industry has been established In tn