The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-07
REVISION OF the TARIFF.


l believe the protective system, which now
'or something like thirty years hes prevailed IN
our legislation, has been a mighty instrumen:
aor the Development OF our national wealth and
most powerful agency in protecting the homes
OF our workingmen from the invasion of want
i nave feit a most solicitogs interest to preserve
10 our working people rates OF wages that would
NOT only give daily bread but supply a comforts
pig margin Tor those homo attractions and fam
is comforts and enloyrneats withou. which life
,s neither hopeful nor-sgeet. They are Amer
ieah eltizens, Is part of the great people for
whom Our constitution and governments vera
Iianled and instituted, and It cannot lie a per
version OF that constitution to so Iegisla,e as 20
preserve Ia their homes the comfort. hide pead-
snce: loyalty nad sense OF interest in the govern
hcAt winch are essential TO good ci.izenship IN
peace and which will bring them, as in Io6l, to
the defense OF the flag when il is assailed-
itIs not T2y purpose now to make an argyll
ment III favor OF a protective tariff. Tho result
OF TIE recent election must be accepted as hav-
ing introduced a new policy. We must assume
MAT the present tariff. constructed upon the
lines OF protection. is to be repealed and thst
there Is 10 be substituted ior it 4 tariff law con-
ftrucfed solely with regard to a revenue, that
no outy IS 10 be higher because the increase will
keep open an American mill or keep up the
wages OF an American wofkiugma1, but that III
every case hucn q rate OF duty Is To be imposed
as VIII DING 10 the treasury OF the United states
the largest returns OF revenue. The contention
has not been between schedules. INIT between
principles. and IL woui6 be offensive to suggest
mat the prevailing party will not carry into
legislation the principles advocated by it ard
ILL., tH@3eSS EAfCA ~ sAt itoIISs iIs thElG Wits
passed by the house OF representatives ct the
last session were, as / supposed. even IN The
opinion OF theiF promoters, Inadequate and JUS
tihed only ny the fact that the senate and house
OF representatives We're not III accord, and that a
general revision could not, therefore, be under
taken
recommend that the whole subject of tariff
revision be left 20 thu icconing congress. II IS
u matter OF regret that this work must be de-
great tariff changes has introduced 81 much I'M
Certainty that an amount not easily estimated
OF business inaciion and OF diminished produce
ton Will necessarily result. Il is possible, also.
that this uncertainty may result in decreased
revenues from customs duties. for our mer-
chants Will make cautious orders for foreign
and the uncertainty as 10 whom i. will take ef-
feet Those who advocated a protective tar #
will afford 10 have their disastrous forecasts OF a
change Of policy disappointed 1T n system of
customs rules can be framed that will set the
id!e Wheels and looms OF Europe in motion and
crowd our warehouses with foreign made goods
aud at the saIne time keep our own mills busy,
that viii give US an Increased participation in
'the markets of the WORLDS of a greater
value than the home market that we sur
render: that will give increased work to
foreign workmen upon products to be con-
sumed by our people without diminishing the
amount OF work to be done here; that will eu-
able the American manufacturer to pay to his
than is paid in the foreign mill and yet to com
pete In our market and in foreign markets with
the foreign producer; that will further reduce
the cost OF articles OF wear and food without re-
dueing the wages of those who produce them;
that can be celebrated after its effects have been
realized, as its expectation has been In Europe
as well as in American cities, the authors and
promoters OF IL will be entitled to the highest
praise. We have had in our history several ex-
periences OF the contrasted effects of revenue
tariff and OF protective tariff. but this genera
ton has not felt them, and the experience of
one generation is not highly instructive to ths
next. The friends of the protective system,
viii undiminished confidence In the principles
they have advocated, will wait the results of the
new experiment
The strained and too often disturbed relations
existing between the employees and the employer
in our great manufacturing establishments have
not been favorable to q calm consideration BY
the wage carners OF the effect upon wages OF the
protective system. The facts that his wages
were the highest paid in a like calling in the
world and that q maintenance of this rate Of
wages in the absence of protective duties upon
the product of his labor was impossible, were
obscured By the passion evoked by these condi-
tons. He may now be able TO review the cues
ton in the light of his personal experience
under the operation of a tariff for revenue only.
II that experience shall demonstrate that the
present rates of wages are thereby maintained
or increased, either absolutely or III their pur-
chasing power, and that the aggregate volume
OF work to be done III this country is
Increased or even maintained. that there are
at as good or better wages for the
American workman as has been the ease under
the protective system every one will rejoice.
A general process of wages reduction cannot 10
contemp plated by any patriotic citizen without
the gyavest apprehension. It may be, indeed. [
believe is, possible for tho American manu-
facturer TO com pete successfully with his foreign
rival in many branches oil production without
the defense Of protective duties, If the pav rolls
are equalized. but the conflict that stands he
tween the producer and that result aud the
distress OF our working people when It is Mt.
tained, arc not pleasant to contemplate. Tha
society of the unemployed, now holding It's ire
oueut and threatening parstes in the streets of
foreign cities. should not be allowed to acQgirs
Artars-n1 a nnsfrfaR