New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-13
HOW TIE ARG rMENT STANDS.


few days ago a distinguished Democrat
said 10 a reporter, 1--WE have all the argument
with Us" At the beginning Of the last month
of the Presidential campaign it may be well to
review It's progress enough TO realize how the
argument really stands
/. The Democratic argument was that the
duty being a tax. must be added to prices OF
domestic products 50 that all manufactured
articles must become dcarcr. The report Of
tho senate Finance Committee. in which SEN
atolS Of both parties ccncurrcd, proves that this
was not the result of the tariff of 1890 that
all products had declined in average price and
manufactured products more than the average
because farm products had risen. Other records
have since proved that the decline in manu-
featured products has continued during the last
year.
.. The Democratic argument was that taxes
could not create industries that new manu-
factories Of tinpatcs and other articles could
not be established here. Records published
giving date, and names of hundreds Of new
works established in consequence Of the new
duties prove that this was not true. The Gov
eminent official report proves that three months
ago about forty tin-platc works were manu-
featuring 3 100000 pounds in quarter. I'm
ports Prove that substantially all the cotton
ties are now made in this country, that in
rlacc Of 81 100000 pounds imported in a year
not 900 600 pounds are now imported. sim
lar proofs have been given OF actual increase
in the demand for labor through establishment
of many other works here.
g. The Democratic argument was that the
new tariff could not and did not cause an adj
vance in the wages Of labor. The Senate Com
mittcc, both parties agreeing. proved that an
advance had occurred. The Massachusetts,
labor report proved that it was 80 per cont
in that state IN one year. Commissioner Pccll's
report showed that it was nearly . per cent
in Newly orIl, and then gave instances. official
" declared 10 be 50, 900 in number, in which
wages had actually advanced.
t. The Democratic argument was that labor
gained nothing from the tariff and everything
from organization. But TWO of the most power
ful organizations Of labor, whose wages were
greater than those usually paid for similar work
though duties affecting one had been reduced
while no duties affected the other engaged in
great strikes which made necessary the use Of
troops by Democratic Governors of PcnnSyl
vania and Ncw-York but both were defeated
Yet thousands of workers did gain an advance
because the conditions of their industries were
improved by the new tariff.
=. The Democratic argument was that the
condition Of labor, because of the enhanced cost
Of living, had not improved. Not only did the
Senate Committees report establish the fact that
the cost of living had actually diminished but
official statistics and trade reports have proved
oil al &
consumption, whether imported or Of domestic
manufacture, has been greater within the last
wear than ever before. More cotton has been
worked into goods. and more wool, and more
silk. and yet the markets arc bare more boots
and shoes have been distributed moro mpc-
mcnts and tools and AZ tho same time more
sugar, beer liquors and tobacco have been con-
sumcd.
6. The Democratic argument was that the
country was nevertheless not prosperous, that
business was depressed and that few million
aires created by the tariff absorbed the wealth.
Records collected by TIE TRIBUNE prove that
by far the greater proportion Of millonaircs
owed no part of their fortunes 10 the tariff
Payments through clearing houses and railway
records prove that the volume Of business
transacted has been greater than il ever was
prior to the tariff Of 1890, and commercial
agencies prove that among more than million
business men failures have decreased in num-
Der, and decreased 40 per cent in the amount
Of liabilities.
Z. The Democratic argument was that farm
crS were Frustrated by the tariff and forced
by It's burdens to mortgage their farms The
census has proved that the number and amount
Of farm mortgages is decreasing, and that most
Of them were given for part payment in pur-
chase Of farms. Further the non partisan rec
ord Of prices by the Senate Committee proves
/ that prices Of farm products had materially
| advanced
=. The Democratic argument was that cy-
ports of cotton and wheat and other farm prod
ucts must be checked by Protection. Official
reports show that exports of wheat and cotton
/ have been greater than ever since the new
tariff, exports of all farm products greater,
and the aggregate value Of domestic exports
/ has risen for the first time above a thousand
millions.
I .. The Democratic argument was that the
new tariff would not reduce burdens nor the
rate of duties on imports. The official report
proves that in twelve months before the new
tariff went into force dutablc imports were
| 1914, 209, 1876 and 500 per cent Of all i'm
ports, while in the year ending with August.
1892, dutable imports were only S377 .OOs. =
$50, or 44.71 per cent of all imports. Duties
collected in the fiscal year 1890 were 20 per
cent and in the fiscal year 1892 only about FL