Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-07-22
THE WAGES LIE.

Nearly a century and quarter ago
Adam Snlth wrote taat wages were very
much higher IN America than IN Great
Britain. They were from 40 to 60 pr
cent higher. The difference was 50 great
then a5 it ID now, If not greater.
At that time there was no tariff for the
protection Of Anybody in America. The
original states we're then British colonies.
and the British government, SO FAR from
protecting Infant industries IN the colo
pies, was doing AL they could to suppress
them. It exerted all ingenuity and ali It's
power to prevent the establishment OF
manufacturing industries and to destroy
such as were established, rot only with
Uut protection of any kind, but in spite Of
relentless persecution. And yet wages
wers as much higher In America then as
they are now.
Probably the organs and attorneys OF
| the tartf mCnopollstS, or the more in
teIIigapt among them, know this very vel,
but multitudCs Of their dupe3 and victims
do not know it.
For years after toe adoption cf the con-
stitUtion the advocates of tariff tor pro
| lection did not dare to put forward the
false pretense that such d tariff was Tor
the protection of labor, or that is If ct
would be to make wages higher. Tlcy
argued that the manufacturing capitalists
should have protection because they had
| to pay high wages mot to enable them to
increase wages, and because capital was
so dear-the rate OF interest was 30 high
that they could not compete against
European manufacturers who could get
capital at low rates l. was freely adj
mitted that tariff protection was for the
capitalist, not the laborer, 1t had to bl
admitted, because everybody knew that
wages were much higher in this country
than elsewhere where their was no pro-
lection.
Probably the more intelligent organs
and attorneys Of the tariff proteges know
this, but multitudes of their dupes and
victims do not, They have not studied
history closely, and they have never had
experience under free trade In this coun-
Try as their erandfathers and great grand
fathers had
But there is one thing that every work
ingman can see and appreciate for him
self, if be will, without studying the his
tory Of former times. He can see that
tariff protection can help him in no other
possible way than by enabling his en-
pioyer to exact a higher price for the
JOINT pT0uuCL OF the JaDUT anu CdplUdl VI
The two. He can see that ne himself does
not get that increased price. He can see
that it is his employer always who sells
the product and handles the money. He
can SEQ that if lie is to get his share he
must get it out of the employer.
Does he get ii? When the employer
encourages him to expect high wages as
fruit OF high tariff, he virtually promises
to divide the spoil. Does the employer
do this? Does Mr.. Carnegie do il? That
question has received an answer which
will ring in the ears Of the American
people for a very long time. Carnegie and
agent Mr.. Frick, were willing enough 10
secure the votes Of their men for more
t. If by virtually promising to divide the
spolls. That was politics. Now that
they have got their tariff to suit them they
propose to reduce wages. That is bust
ness and Mr.. Frick at this stage of the
proceedings cannot think Of such a thing
as mixing politics with business.
1t is the old Clay doctrine of protec-
tionism-"take care Of the rich and the
rich will take care of the poor" But
when the rich get what tariff they want
they take care of themselves and screw
down tbs wages of the poor to the lowest
notch, inviting war by breaking faith.
Workmen can see that now.