The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-07

that wear at 25,0OO,OOO TONS aS'iA''
q, 209,6l0 tons in 1891. .;,.,ods
The aggregate traffic on our ralIro Oau
for the year 1891 amounted 10 'VhSS5f
900 tons Of freight, compared with oS,'
3l4. l87 tons in 1890, an increase oil Io''
0J4, l72 tons.
OUR woRKINdMBN SAVING MONEY.
Another indication OF the general
prosperity Of the country is found IN
the fact that the number OF depo'itoFs
in savings banks increased from 69S,so
in 1860 to 1885, 1893 IN 1890, an increase
OF 5l3 per cent, and the amount oil &c
posts from Sl49, ,504 in 1850 10
81. 524. S44, 500 in 1890, IN increase oil VI
mar cent. In 1891 the amount oil de-
nosits in savings banks was 81 ,623Ol9,
549. 1t is estimated that 80 per cent Of
these deposits represent the savings o.
wage.earners. IT,
The bank clearances for the nine
months ending September 80. 1911
amounted TO Sal ,O40, 1905 For the
same months in 1892 they amounted 70
$40, 1879, SOL. 947, an excess for the nine
months OF 81, l40,2ll ,l39.
There never has been n time III our
history when work was so abundant or
when wages were as high, whether
measured by the currency in which
they are paid or by their power to sup
ply the necessaries and comforts oil lie
AGRICULTURAL PROSPERITY.
It is true that the market prices oil
cotton and wheat have been low. 1t IS
one OF the unfavorable incidents oil
agriculture that the farmer cannot pro,
duce upon orders, He must SOW ana
reap in ingorance OF the aggregate. pro,
duction OF the year, and Is peculiarly
subject to the depreciation which ioi'
lows overproduction.
But, while the fact have stated IS
true as to the crops mentioned. the
general average OF prices has been
such as to give to agriculture lar
participation in the general prosperity.
The value OF our total farm products has
increased from $l.SG3, G64, SGG in 1860 to
$4,000, 100000 in 1891; rs estimated by
statisticians, an increase OF $50 per
cent, The number OF hogs January /,
1891, was 5O,625 l0G and their value
$40, 9S,925; on January ], lS92, the
number was $685. 0l9, and the value
S24l, O3l, AIS. On January /, 1881, the
number OF cattle was 36,S75,64S, and the
value S544. l27, sos; on January l, 1872,
the number was 1861, 239 and the
value $50, 749, 1856.
If any are disconnected with their
state here, fanny believe that wages or
prices. the returns tor honest toll, are
inadequate, they should not iail to re-
member that there is no other country
in the would where tho conditions that
seem to them hard would not be &C.
cepted as highly prosperous. The En-
glish agriculturist would be glad TO eX-
change the returns oil his labor for those
of tho American farmer, and the Man
chester workman their wages for those
OF their fellows at Fall River.
WHAT PROTECTION HAS DONE.
l believe that the protective system,
which has now for something more
than thirty years continuously pre-
vailed in our legislation, has been a
mighty instrument for the development
of our national wealth, and n most pow
eriul agency in protecting the homes OF
our workingmen from the invasion OF
want. ! have felt most solicitous in
terest to preserve our working people
rates OF wages that would not only give
daily bread but supply comfortable
margin for those home attractions and
family comforts and enioyments with
out which life is neither hopeful nor
sweet They are American Ctizens-a
part OF the great people for whom our
constitution and government were
frameds and instituted-and it cam OF
be perversion Of that constitution to
30 legislate rs to preserve in their
homes the comfort, independence, 10y
atty and sense OF interest in the govern
ment which are essential to good citi-
zenship in peace and which brings this
stalwart throng, as in 1861, to the de-
tense OF the flag when it is assailed.
WHAT THE RESULT OF THE ELECTION sIGNI.
FIEs.
1t is not my purpose to renew here
the argument in favor OF protective
tariff. The result OF the recent election
must be accepted US having introduced
a new policy. We must assume that
the present tariff, constructed upon the
lines of protection, is to be repealed,
and that there is TO be substituted for
it tariff law constructed solely with
reference to revenue; that no duty is to
be higher because the increase will
keep open an American mill or keep
up the wages Of an American workmen,
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 contention has not been between
schedules, but between principles, ana
it would be offensive to suggest that
the prevailing party will not carry into
legislation the principles advocated by
it and the pledges given to the people.
The tariff bills passed by the house OF
representatives at the last session were,
as l suppose-even in the opinion OF
their promoters-inadequate, and JUS
titled only by the fact that the senate
and house OF representatives were not
in accord and that general revision
could not, therefore, be undertaken.
MUST BRING UNCERTAINTY.
recommend that the whole subject
OF tariff revision be left to the incom-
ing Congress. 1t is matter OF regret
that this work must be delayed for at
least three months, for the threat of
great tariff changes introduces so much
uncertainty that an amount, not easily
estimated, OF business inaction and Of
diminished production will necessarily
result. 1t is possible also that this un-
certainty may result in decreased rev.
enues from customs duties, for our
merchants will make cautious orders