Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-07-16
WAGES AND TIE TARIFF.

The hltclIlgcpccr is doing a lively
dance these DAYS between McKinleyism
and Observation-Disclosures its political
duty, which is TO maintain that the tariff
and wages are inseperable, and It's
equally Imperative duty, as a good Har-
rison organ, to argue that the 80 per
cent reduction in wages by CARNEGIE
Co. has nothing to do with the tariff.
Our neigboor defends McKinleyism Cd
the ground that high protective duties
are imposed for the benefit Of the wage
Garner in protected industries, and, in
the next breath, asserts that the recent
reduction Of wages at Homestead has
no relation whatever to the Mckinley
act.
lit has no relation TO the Mckinley
act, then what relation have the in
creased duties of the Mckinley act to
the wages Of workingmen in specially
protected industries? If the increased
duties have no relation TO increased
wages, then deception was practiced
when the Increased duties were i'm
posed.
1t has been demonstrated over and
over again that the higher wages Of
American workmen have reduced the
labor cost of manufactured articles. As
a rule high wages make more efficient
workmen, and more efficient wOrkmen
reduce the labor cost. This fact was
illustrated by Mr.. BLAINE while Secre-
tary Of State, in his report on the Amer
lean and the English manufacture Of
cotton goods. Mr.. BLAINE said:
Zach American operative works up as
much raw material as two British opera
tves, turns out nearly $3.50 worth of man
ufactures 20 the British operatives Sl.OO
worth. and even i'm piece goods, where the
superior quality and weight OF the Amerl-
can goods are so marked, the American OPP
erative turned out ,. 20 yards 70 2.JO yards
by the British operative"
A great many Of our industries, espe-
cially nom protected industries, are
hampered by tariff tax eS which increase
the cost of production. The increased
cost Of material inevitably tends to a
reduction of the wages or the number
of employees. This fact was recognized
by President GRANT in one Of his an
nual messages when he said:
s'Manv duties now collected, and which
give cut an insignificant return Tor the
cost Of collection, might be RENTED, and
TO the direct advantage of consumers at
home i would mention those articles lohich
eIfer into manufacturers of az sorts. AL
duty pad upon such articles goes directly to
the cost 0f the article lChcn manufactured
here. and must bC paid FOR bg the consumers.
These duties not only come from the cOHSUm-
srs az home, But ACT AS A PROTECTION TO
FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS or TIE SAME COM
PLErED ARTICLES ~ OCR OWN AND DGSrANT 7
MARKETS.
McKinleyism is directly hostile to this
common sense doctrine laid down by
President GRANT, which is a plea for
industrial emancipation, the abolition
OF high-tax slavery, for unshackling the
limbs OF the American giant, for giving
the United States an opportunity for
competing with an the world in cheap
ness and quality Of all products which
the bouuuful and mighty resources of
this country can supply.
McKiuleyism perverts the power Of
Federal taxation for the benefit Of the
few who enjoy special privileges at the
expense of the many, aud who by means
Of high duties are enabled to form COM
binatjons to increase prices, thereby
burdening consumers aud hampering
tens Of thousands OF noh-protected in
dustrial establishments by unduly in
creasiug the prices OF manufacturing
materials.