The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-09-06

his viewssoi the constitution, in order
10 increase important impoTtations and
so the reyenue-for revenue only" is
the Limitation. Reciprocity oil course
falls under this denunciation, for Its
object and effect are not revenues, but
the promotion OF commercial ex'
changes, the profits OF which go wholly
to our producers.
NO NiScINo OF WORDS.
This destructive un-American doc
.rine was not held or taught by the his.
torc Democratic statesmen whose fame
as American patriots has reached this
yeneration-certainly not by Jefferson
or Jackson. This mad crusade against
American ships. the bitter epithets APP
piled to American manufacturers, the
persistent disbelief OF every report OF
the opening OF tin plate mill, or an
increase OF our foreign trade by rec!-
procity, are as surprising as they are
discreditable.
There is not thoughtful business
man in the country who does not know
that tho enactment into law OF the
declaration OF the Chicago convention
on the subject OF the tariff would plunge
the country into business CONFUSION
such as it has never seen; and there is
not thoughtful workingman who does
not know that it would at once enor-
mously reduce the amount OF work to
be done in this country by the increase
of inportationa that would follow and
necessitate reduction Of his wages to
the European standard. Ii any
one suggests that this radical
policy will not be executed,
If the Democratic party attained power,
what shall be thought OF a party that
is capable Of thus trifling with great in
terests? The threat OF such legislation
would be only less hurttul than tho
fact, A distinguished Democrat rightly
described this movement US challenge
to the protected industries to fight OF
determination, and another such right
" expressed the logic OF the situation
when he interpreted the Chicago plat
form to be an invitation to all Demo
Gratis holding even the most moderate
protection views to go into the Repub-
lican party.
THE M'KIYLEY BILL
And now few words in regard to the
existing tariff law. We are fortunately
able to Judge OF its influence upon pro-
duction and prices by the market re-
ports. The day OF the prophet OF ca
lalnity has been succeeded by that OF the
trade reporter. An examination into the
effect OF tho law upon the prices OF pro-
tected products and OF the cost OF such
articles as enter into the living OF people
of small means has been made by q
senate committee composed OF leading
senators OF both parties with the aid Of
statistiCians, 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 re-
port:
First-The cost OF articles entering
into the use OF those earning less than
81 900 per annum has decreased up to
May, 1892, S.5 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
10 per cent. Tested by their power to
purchase articles OF necessity, the earn
ings OF our working people have never
been as great as they are now.
Second-There has been an average
advance 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 $3.50 per
cent.
The uinth annual report OF the chief
OF the bureau Of labor statistics OF the
state Of New York, Democratic officer,
very recently issued, strongly corrob-
CRATES as to that state the facts found
by the senate committee. His extended
inquiry shows that in the year immedi-
ately following the passage OF the tariff
act of 1890 the aggregate sum paid in
wages in that state was So, 81, 1925 in ex-
cess and the aggregate production $751;
3l5, 100 in excess OF the. preceding year.
In view OF this showing OF an increase
in wages, OF a reduction in the cost OF
articles OF common necessity, and OF a
marked advance in the prices Of agri-
cultural products, it is plain that this
tariff law has not imposed burdens, but
has conferred benefits upon the farmer
and the workingman. se'
SOME SPECIAL EFFECTS.
Some special effects OF the act should
be noticed. 1t was courageous at
tempt to rid our people of long main
tanned foreign monopoly in the produc-
ton OF tin plate, pearl buttons, silk
plush, linens, lace, etc. Once or twice
in our history the production OF tin
plate had been attempted, and the price
obtained by the Welsh makers would
have enabled our makers to produce at
a profit. But the Welsh makers at once
cut prices to point that drove the
American beginners out OF the bust
ness, and, when this was accomplished,
again nado their own prices. A corre-
spondent OF the Industrial World, the
official organ OF the Welsh tin plate
workers, published at Swansea, in the
issue OF June 10, 1892, advises new
trial Of these methods. He says:
"Do net be deceived. The victory OF
the Republicans at the polls means the
retention OF the Mckinley bill and
means the rapidly accruing loss of the
so per cont OF the export American
trade Had there been no Democratic
victory in 1890, the spread OF tin plate
III the United States
would have been both rapid and bona
tide. 1t is not yet too late 10 do some
thing to reduce the price Of tin plates.
Put them down to lis per box OF 100, IA
by 20 full weight basis. Let the work.
men take half pay for few months
and turn out more; then let the mas
Lers forego profits for the came time"