The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-24

other newly settled portions OF this country
are double, and in many instances thriDIe
the WAGES in the older settled portions on
the Atlantic seaDoard.
If tho tariff governs the question of wages
YOU have ono tariff over all the country, but
YOU have different wages paid IN Inherent
States and in different sections. why
Because the tariff does not control wages.
II is controlled by the great law Of demand
and supply. which is over and above all
legislation. (Applause.)
There s one further suggestion I wish 70
make 70 you upon that point, ana thaI -
this we have had high protective tafln
for almost third of a century, commend
ing with the Walker Tariff bill from 1916 to
1861 with an average of 10 per cent, as l
have told YOU First there was an increase
under the Morrill, bill 20 81 per cent. and
then by subsequent acts Of Congress untll
it reached an average OF 81 per cent. IN l5sV'
and then, under the Mckinley Iarlh Dill,
il increased T. 81, 10 20. 10 100 per cont.
That IL how the tGrH has gone up. Let mo
ask the laborer, the wage-earner; let ins
address myself 10 the man VINO earns his
living by the labor Of his hand.
Have your wages gone up as the tarl us
have como up for the last third OF a cen
turv? have said TO you that the tariff does
not affect wages The only effect that tho
tariff has upon wages IS 10 lessen them.
desire every 4hDOiluk LuAI W h4ft hOcO
TO this. The only effect Of the tariff upon
wages is TO lessen. TO diminish. 10 decrease
tho purchasing power OF wages. Why
Because by increasing the tariff II increases
the cost TO YOU Of the neoessaries OF LIE,
and it lessons the amount OF the necessares
that you buy with dollar earned by your
hands.
THE LINES ARR DRAWN.
Now as close this part Of my discussion
let me tell you the lines are drawn upon the
one side-the Republican party advocating
a high protective tariff. tariff in the inte-
rests OF the monopoists OF this country, a
tariff under which colossal fortunes have
been amassed out of tue pockets OK the peO-
pie. Upon the other side the Democratic
party. which holds 70 the dOcrtine that they
learned under Jefferson that where you
have taken from the hard earnings OF the
people enough TO meet the expenses OF the
General Government honestly and economi-
ca,ly conducted. the power. the right
to tax the people ceases. and
that you have no right TO tax
the great masses of the people by COMPEL
ing them 10 pay sixty or eighty per cent
more than it would otherwise cost them for
the necessaries OF life IN order to build up
and protect the classes Of this country at
the expense Of the labor!ng man. Gap
plause.
Ny fellow-citIzens. have very briefly
touched upon ono question. There 10 an
other 10 which desire to call your atten-
ton and desire 70 say that the question
10 which | now ask your attention Is more
important 10 you than hundred tarif
bills. (Applause.) refer to the Force bill.
gEZ FORCE BILL.
Ever since lett NY home aud crossed the
Blue Ridge Mountains into the Old North
State and came from the Old North State
INTO the Old Dominion bave heard il said
that tho Force bill was dead issue. There
are men who have whispered into the ears
of Democrats who have heretofore stood
shoulder 10 shoulder with the Democratic
party in fighting for constitutional govern
nent--whispered into their ears that the
Force bill was but c dead issue; that IL was
only made an issue by the Democrats for
the purpose Of keeping tho party IN line.
Do they say that hero in Virginia? Is
that what they sayl II there Is within tho
sound of myi voice tonight one Democrat
or a man whsteyer party he may bslong 10
who believes tho Force bill TO be dead
issue. ] want 10 extend 10 him cordial In
invitation 20 cross tho Blue Ridge
mountains and tho Ohio river into Illinois,
aud there attend Republican meeting and
llsten 10 Republican orator. and you Will
find out whether tho FOrce bill is dead
issue.
You will come back Impressed with the
belief that there at least the Force bill 10 .
Living ISSUE. and very living usue at that.