Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-12-17
lean farmer, and the Manchester work
men their wages for those at Fall River.
Protection a National Pleeeipo

PROJECTION a National Blessing.
believe hat the protective system
which now for something like thirty
years has prevailed in our legislation has
been n mighty instrument for the devel-
opment OF our national wealth and a
powerful agency in protecting the homes
of our workingmen from the invasion of
want. have felt a most anxious inter
est towards our working peoples wages
that not only give daily bread but supply
a comfortable margin for those
home attractions and family comforts
and enioyments without which life
is neither hopeful nor sweet. They
are American citizens, a part of the great
people for whom our constitution and
government were framed and instituted.
and IL cannot be n perversion of that CON
stitution to SO legislate as to preserve in
their homes the comfort, independence,
loyalty and sense of interest in the gov
eminent which are essential to good citi-
zenship in peace aud which will bring
them as 1861 to the defense of the flag
when 1t is assailed.
The New Fiscal Policy.
1t is not my purpose to renew the argu-
ment in favor ola protective tariff. Tho
result of the recent election must be ac-
copied as having introduced IA new fea-
sure. We must assume that the present
tariff, constructed upon the lines of pro
lection, is to be repealed and that there
is to be substituted n tariff law con-
structed solely for revenue that no duty
Is to be higher because the increase will
keep open American mills or keep MP the
wages of American workmen, but in
every case such "a rate of duty Is to be
imposed as will bring the treasury
OF the United States the largest returns Of
revenue. The contention has not been
between schedules but between principles
and it would be offensive To suggest that
the prevailing party will not carry into leg
i~slation the principles advocated by it and
the pledges given to the people.
Through With Tariff TInkering.
The tariff bills passed by the house of
representatives at the last session were as
l supposed, even in tho opinion of their
promoters inadequate and justified only
by the fact that the senate and house If
representatives were not in accord and
that a general revision could not therefore
be undertaken, l that the
whole subject of tariff revision be left to
the incoming congress. 1t is "A 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 n Of
diminished production will necessarily !
result. 1t is possible also that the uncer-
tainty may result in decreased revenues
from customs duties, for our merchants
make cautious orders for foreign goods
~ " VI WV "a cTlt' vi ItbAtAlOh .
and the uncertainty as to when il will
take effect. Those who have advocated a
protective tariff can well afford to have
their disastrous forecast of Il change of
policy disappointed. If a system of GUS
toms duties can be framed that will set
the idle wheels and looms of Europe in
motion and crowd our warehouses with
~foreign-madc goods and at the same time
keep our own mills busy; that will give
MS an increased participation in the mar
kets of the world of IA greater value than
the home market that we surrender; that
viii give increased work TO foreign pro-
ducts to be consumed by our people with
out diminishing the amount of work TO be
done here; that will enable the American
manufactures TO pay TO his workmen from
80 To 100 per cent more in wages than Is
paid in the foreign mill and yet to COM
pete in our market and in for
eign markets with the foreign
producer; that will further reduce
the cost Of articles of wear and food with
out reducing the wages of those who pro-
ducc them that can be celebrated after
Its effects have been realized, as its ex-
pcctation has been in Europe rs well as in
American cities. the autho's and pro-
motors of il will be entitled to the highest
praise. We have had in our history sew
eral experiences OF the contrasteG effects
OF a revenue and ola protective tariff but
his generation has not felt them and the
experience of one generation is not highly
instructive to the next.
The friends of the protective system
with undiminished confidence in the
principles they have advocated will wait
the result of the new experiment. The
strained aud too often disturbed relations
existing between the employees and the
employers in our great manufacturing
establishments have not been favorable
10 a calm consideration by the
wage earners of the effect upon
The facts that his wages were the highest
a maintenance of this rate of wages iif the
absence of protective duties upon the pro
duct of his labor was impossible wero OBJ
scured by the passion evoked by these
contests. He may now be able to review
the question in the light of his personal
experience under the operation of "a tariff
for revenue only. If that experience
shall demonstrate that the present rates
of wages are thereby maintained or in
creased, either absolutely or in their pur
chasing power, and that the aggregate
volume Of work to be done in this country
is increased or even maintained; that
there are more or as many days work in a
year 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 wage
reduction cannot be contemplated by any
patriotic citizen without gravest appre-
hensior.
1t may be, indeed I believe is possible
for the American manufacturer
10 compete successfully with his
foreign rival in many branches of produc-
ton without the defense of protective
duties, if the pay-rolls are cgualized; but
the conflict that stands between the pro-
ducer and that result and the distress of
our working people, when it is attained,
are not pleasant to contemplate. The So
ciety Of the unemployed, now holding its
frequent and threatening parades In the
streets of foreign cities, should not be al
lowed to acquire an American domicile.
The reports of the heads of the several
executive departments, which are here
will submitted, have very naturally in
cluded a resume of the whole work OF the
administration, with the transactions OF
the last fiscal year.
The attention, not only of congress, but
Of the country is again invited to the
methods of administration which have
been pursued, and to the result which
have been attained. Public revenues
amounting to 81 ,4l4, 079, 292 .2s, have been
collected and disbursed without loss from
misrepresentation. without a single de-
falcation of such Importance as to attract
the public attention, and at q diminished
per cent of cost for collection. The public
business has been transacted not only with
fidelity but progressively and with q view
to giving to the people in the fullest poss-
lille degree the benefit of services estab-
liShed and maintained for their protection
and comfort. Our relations with other
nations are now undis .urbed by any SER
ious controversy.
Commercial Agreements.
There have been negotiated and con-
cluded under section 3, of the tariff law
commercial agreements relating to reci-
procal trade with the following countries:
Brazil, Dominican Republic, spain for
Cuba and Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Saliva
dor, the German empire, Great britain !:
for certain West Indian colonies and
British Guinea, Nicaragua, Salvador,
Great Britain, Honduras and Austria
Hungary have been concluded since my
last annual message.
treaty providing for the arbitration of
the dispute between Great Britain and the
United States as to the killing of seals in
the Bering sea. was concluded on the Goth |
of February last. l recommend that
power be given to the president by procla-
nation to prohibit the taking of seals in +,
the North Pacific by American vessels in
case as "a result Of the findings of the |
tribunal Of arbitration or otherwise the
restraints can be applied to the vessels of
ell countries.
Canadian Relations.
During the puSt wear a supgestion was