St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-07
THE TARIFF.
Recognizes THAI a Change of Pol
lev Has Been Decided On.

belleYe that the protective system, WnlVu
now for something like thirty years has pre-
vailed in our legislation has been mighty
instrument for the development of our
national wealth, and a most pow
erful agency in protecting the homes
of our workingmen from the invasion
of want have felt most solicitous inter
est to preserve to our working people rates
of wages that would not only give daily
bread, but supply comfortable margin Tor
those home attractions and family comforts
ana enjoyments, without which lie IS
neither hopeful nor sweet. They are
American citizens-a part OF the
great people for whom our. constitu-
ton and government were framed and lnst1-
tuted-and it cannot be a perversion of that
constitution to so legislate as to preserve in
their homes the comfort. independence, 10y
atty and sense of interest in the government
which are essential to good citizenship IN
peace and which will bring this stalwart
Ihrong as in 1861, to the defense of the flag
when it is asSailed.
1t is not my purpose to renew here the ar
gument in favor of a protective tariff. The re.
suit OF the recent election must be accepted
as having introduced a new policy. we
must assume that the present tariff. con-
structed upon the lines Of protection is to be
repealed and that there is to be substituted
for it Il tariff law constructed solely with ref
erence to revenue; that no duty is to be high
er because the increase will keep open an
American mill or keep up the wages OF an
American workman, but that in every case
such rate OF duty is to be imposed as will
bring to the treasury of the United States
the largest returns of revenue. The conten-
ton not being between schedules, but be
tween principles, it would be offensive to
suggest that the prevailing party VIII not
carry into legislation the principles advocat-
ed by it and the pledges given TO the people
The tariff bills passed by the house of repre-
sentatives at the last session were, as | sup
posed, even in the opinion of their promot-
ers, inadequate, and justified only by the
1act that the senate ana house OF representa-
tlves were not in accord. and that a general
revision should not therefore, be under
taken.
l recommend that the whole subject of
tariff revision be lett to the incoming con-
gress 1t is a matter of regret that this work
must be delayed for at least three months,
for the threat of great tariff changes intro
duces so much uncertainty that an amount
not easily estimated of business inactiOn and
of diminished production Will necessarily re-
suit. 1t is impossible ALSO that this un-
certainty may result in decreased revenues
from customs duties for our merchants will
make cautious orders for foreign goods in
view of the prospect of tariff reductions, and
the uncertainty as to when they will take
effect
Those who have advocated a protective
tariff can well afford to have their disastrous
II system of customs duties can be framed
that will set the idle wheels and looms
OF Europe i'll mouon and crowd our
warehouses with foreign made goods,
and at the same time keep our own
mills busy; that will give US an
increased participation in the markets of
the world of greater value than the home
market we surrender; that will give in
creased work to foreign workmen upon
products to be consumed by our people with
out diminishing the amount of work to be
done here; that will enable the American
manufacturer to pay to his workmen from
90 to 100 per cent more in wages than is paid
IN the foreign mill, and yet to compete i'll our
market and i'll foreign markets with the
foreign producer; that will further reduce
the cost OF articles of wear and food without
reducing the wages of those who produce
them; that can be celebrated. after its effects
have been realized, as its expectation has
been. In European as well as American
cities, the authors and promoters of it will
be entitled to the highest praise. We have
had in our history several experiences of the
contracted effects of a revenue and of pro-
tective tariff; but this generation has not
felt them, and the experience of one genera
ton is not highly instructive to the next.
The advocates OF protective system, with un-
diminished confidence in the principles they
have advocated, will await the results OF the
new experiment.
The new strained and too often disturbed
relations existing between the employe and
the employers in our great manufacturing es-
Adjustments have not been favorable 10
Cduu cUuSlueT6tlOu ny the WdSG'6dTD6rS OIL
the effect upon wages. The facts that his
wages were the highest paid in like callines
in the world, and that maintenance of this
rate of wages, in the absence of protective
duties upon the product of his labor was i'm
possible. were obscured by the passion
evoked by these contests. He may now be
able to review the question in the light of his
personal experience under the operation of a
tariff tor revenue only If that experience
shall demonstrate that present rates of wages
are thereby maintained or increased. either
absolutely or i'll their purchasing power.
and that the aggregate volume of work to be
done in this country is increased, or even
maintained. SO that there, are more or as
many days work i'll year at as good or bet
ter wages for the American workngman as
has bee the case under the protective system,
every one will rejoice.
A general process of wage reductions
cannot be contemplated by any patriotic cit
iZen without the g.avest apprehension. 1t
may be. indeed. believe is, possible for the
American manufacturer to compete success
fully with his foreign rival in many branches
Of production without the defense of pro-
tective duties. if the pay rolls are equalized:
but the conflict that stands between the pro-
Queer and that result and the distress of our
working people when it is attained are not
pleasant to contemplate. The society of the
unemployed, now holding its frequent and
threatening parades in the streets of foreign
cities. should not be allowed to acquire an
American domicile.