The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-12-16
THE GREAT G. 0. P. ELIXIR,
A GREAT DISCOVERY MADE BY The RE,
PUBLICAN PARTY.
Their Mckinley Medicine Increases this
Profits of Manufacture. While Reducing
the Price of the Manufactured Article
Facts About the Robber Trusts.

The theory upon which the advocates
and benefic.aries OF a high protective
tariff seem to proceed may be briefly
stated thus: Shut out foreign msrchan-
disc; limit the market to American pro-
ducts; let us deal with ourselves and ex-
port only our surplus. By this policy we
will reduce the cost of articles OF general
consumption, increase wages and make
everybody happy. Upon that cry the
Republican party Invites the votes OF the
Two extremes of industrial activity and
for diverse reasons. The manuiacturer Is
promised larger profits, and the WACO
earners and consumers are guaranteed
higher wages and lower prices for what
they buy. Indeed, the z. o. p. claims
that ii has discovered the elixir OF life in
system which increases the profits Of
manufacture while reducing the price of
the manufactured article.
This juggling with terms is thus ex-
planned, says the Republic: When you
exclue the foreign trader from tine mar
ket by prohibitory duty, you increase
the value of all domestic products. The
field being given up solely to the home
market, competition begins, and compe-
tition always lowers prices. The stimu-
lation Of competition makes a larger de-
mand upon the productive capacity |;
hence there will be a louder call for
workmen, and that, in time, means high
er wages. This tn cory would be deli
ciously attractive il it did not come into
violent collision with the cold facts of
industrial experience. Having come into
such contact, 1t is what ks snator In
gals called morality in politics-an cir
ridescent dream"
There are scores OF sound maxims which
refute and overthrow absolutely the the
cries put forth by these false economists
and selfish schemers. The repression OF
trade by legislative enactment is con-
trary to public policy, and unsafe as en-
experiment. The truth of this will be
readily admitted. Then again it will not
be questioned outside of the protected
districts and sections that it is impossi-
Bile for people to grow rich by increas-
ing their burdens of taxation.
But apart from the principles OF eco-
nomic science we have the stubborn fact
that the high protective tariff does not
increase wages or stimulate production
by limiting competition to the domestic
market. In fact, it destroys competition.
The effect of the Republican policy in
this direction since the war has been to
encourage the establishment of trusts,
combinations and associations, the sole
purpose of which is to limit production
for the purpose OF creating scarcity in
the market and thereby enhancing the
value of commodities. The tariff of 1888
was the highest we ever had as a nation
up to that time; it was higher and more
oppressive than the war tariff. Its object
was clearly stated by its authors and de-
tenders. 1t was not to supply revenue
alone, but to give bounties aud subsidies
to favored interests. The moment gov
eminent lays it down as settled policy
that its funds are open to persons who
have the ability or ingenuity to get at
them, that moment it throws the doors
open to fraud, prof gacy and pilfering.
The logical result OF the high tariff of
1888 anu the higher tariff OF 1890 was The
footing OF the treasury by Reeds Con-
gress. Another result wa3 the increase
in the number of trade combinations for
the purpose OF robbing the people.
Nearly 100 trusts have sprung into life
since the Nick nley bill was enacted into
law. Senator Adrich wrote circular
letters to all OF them before he made his
speech in the Senate on the tariff. He
gave them to understand that he was
their defender and their friend, and that
he wanted the most favorable report pos
sible. OF the entire list only twenty five
admitted their existence; few denied
any such thing as trust, but large
number admitted an understanding
among the manufacturers and producers
upon the questions OF production and
prices. Tue names of the twenty five
trusts are given in the subjoined table
with the amount OF duty imposed upon
the foreign articles that come into COM
petition with their product: