Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-09-06


dustrics. But. under q more courageous
leadership, the Democratic party has now
practically declared that, II given power,
IL will enact a tariff law without any re-
gard to its effect upon wages or upon the
capital invested in our great industries.
The majority report OF the Committee on
Platform 20 the Democratic National Con-
vention at Chicago contained this clause
That when custom-house taxation is
levied upon articles of any kind produced
in this country the difference between
the cost of labor here and labor abroad.
when such difference exists, fully
measures any possible benefits TO labor,
and the enormous additional impositions
of the existing tariff fall with crushing
force upon our farmers and workingmen."
Here we have distinct admission of the
Republican contention that American
worknen are advantaged by tariff rate
equal 20 the difference between home and
foreign wages, and declaration only
against the alleged question OF addi-
tional impositions" of the existing tariff
law.
Again this majority report further de-
clarcd
but, in making a reduction in taxes.
II is not proposed TO inlure any domestic
industries, but rather to promote their
many industries have come to rely upon
legislation for successful continuance, so
that auy change of law must be at every
step regardful of the labor and capital thus
involved"
Here we have an admission that many of
our industries depend upon protective
duties "for their successful continuance"
and a declaration that tariff changes
should be regardful of the workmen IL
such industries and of the invested capi-
tai.
The overwhelming rejection of those
propositions which had before received
the sanction of Democratic national con-
ventIons was not more indicative OF the
new and more courageous leadership TO
! which the party has now committed itself
| than the gu ostitute which was adopted.
! This substitute declares that protective
| duties are unconstitutional. Demo
cratic Congress holding this view cannot
| enact nora Democratic President approve
| any taril schedule the purpose or enect
| of which is 10 limit importations
| or TO give any advantage to an American
workman or producer. A bounty might,
| iudge be given 20 the importer under
| tbIs view of the Constitution in order to
| increase importations, and so the reye-
nue-for revenue only" is tho limitation.
| Reciprocity, of course, falls under TINS de-
nunciaton. for its object and effect are
not revenue, but the promotion OF COM
/ mercIal exchanges, the profits OF winch 60
| wholly to our producers.
| This destructive un-American doctrine
was not held or taught by the historic
| Democratic statesmen whose fame as
/ American patriots has reached this genera
! tion-certainlv not by jefferson or Jack
| son. This mad crusade against American
shops, the bitter eplthets applied 10
! American manufacturers. the persistent
! disbelief Of every report of the opening OF
/ a tiu-plate mil, or of an increase OF our
! foreign trade by reciprocity, are as sur
| prisirp as they are discredlted. There IS
| not a thoughtful businessman IN the
! country who does not know that the en-
| actment into law of the declaration OF tho
| Chicago convention upon the subject OF
! the tariff would at once plunge the country
| into business CONFUSION such as IL has
never seen. and there is not a thoughtful
| workiugman who does not know that II
! would at once enormously reduce the
! amount of work to be done IN tins country
| by the increase of lmportatons that would
! follow, and necessitate a reduction or his
wages to the European standard;
! If any one suggests that this radical
policy will not be executed If the Demo-
cratic party attains power what should
be thought of n party that is capable OF
thus trihlng with great lnterestsH The
| threat of such legislation would be only
less hurtful than the fact. A distinguished
Democrat rightly described this movement
as a challenge 10 the protected industries
| TO fight of determination, and another
| such rightly expressed the logic OF the
situation when he interpreted tle Chicago
platform to be an invitation to all Demo-
Gratis holding even the most moderate pro-
! lection views TO go into the Republican
! party.
TIE M'KINIEY ACT.
And now few words in regard to the
eylsting tariff law. We are, fortunately,
! able 10 judge OF Its influence upon pro-
duction and prices by the market reports.
| The day of the prophet of calamity has
! been succeeded by that Of the trade re-
porter. An examination into the effect OF
the law upon the prices of protected pro-
ducts, and of the cost of such articles rs
enter into the living of people OF small
means, has been made by Senate CON-
mittee composed of leading senators OIL
| both parties, with the aid of the best sta
tisticians. and the report. signed by al
the members of the committee, has been
given TO the public. No such wide and
careful inquiry has ever before been made.
These facts appear from the report:
l. The cost of articles entering into the
use Of those earning less than 81 cooper an
nun has decreased up to MAY, 1892, Is per
cent. which. in part. is due 10 an increased
foreign demand and the opening oi
new markets In England, during the
same perlod. the cost of living increased
10 per cont. Tested by their power 20
purchase articles ofnecessity, the earnings
of our workingmen have never been as
great as now.
2. There has been an average advance il
the rate of W ages of .75 of per cent.
8. There has been an advance IN the
price of all farm products OF 1857 pei
cent. and of all cereals OF 3359 per cent
The ninth annual report OF the Chlet ol
the Rureau of Labor Statistics of the State
of New York-a Democratic ofheer-VeTJ
recently issued, strongly cOrTobOrates ri
tn that State the facts found by The
Senate committee. His extended inquiry
shows that IN the year immediately tolow
ing the passage of the tariff act OF 1917 the
! aggregate sum paid in wages IN that STATE
was SG,377, ,g25 in excess, and the aggregat'
, production S3l, 5,l3O IN excess OF that
the preceding year.
In view of this showing of an increase IL
waqes. of a reduction in the cost OF articles
of common necessity, and OF marked az
vance IN the price Of agricultural products
il is plain that tins tarlf law has not I'm
, posed burdensome taxation. out mas con
ferred benefits upon the farmer and th'
wOrkingman.
TIN PLATE.
Some special effect of the act should b
noticed. 1t was a courageous attempt q
= rid our people OF q lOnS-ludlhlaiHOt AO4 Sih
/, monopolv IN the production of tin-plate
pearl. buttons, silk-plush linens, lace, etc
, Once or twice in our history. the pr9due
tion of tin-plate had been attempted, ,an'
the prices Obtained by the Welsh maker
would have enabled our makers TO produc
, it at profit But the Welsh makers a
once cut prices to point that drove tn
American beginners out OF the business
, and. when this was accomplished, agar
, made their own prices. A corresp3onden
of the Industrial World, the official ,orgaI
of the Welsh tin-plate workers, published
at Swansea, in the issue or June ~, lSgz
, advises new trial OF these methods. ~
says: -,
"Do not be deceived. The victory
! the Republicans at the polls means the re
4 tention of McKinley's bill, and means ~ ~
/, rapidly.accruine loss of 80 per cent. OF TIA
, export American trade. Had there beel
no Democratic victory in 1890 the iInita SPTfs
/ of the tin-plate manufacture ia tne y Gnise' I've
: States would have been both RAPID an
! 6oHG-ffe.
! 1T is not yet too late to do somethinl
g .lafn fnHn