The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-12-09


our total farm products has increased
from 81 1858, GAG, ,S66 in 1860 to $4,000, ,O00,-
600 in 1891 as estimated by statisticians,
an increase of go ercent.
l believe that the protective system,
which has now for something more than
30 years continuously prevailed in our
legislation, has been mighty instru-
ment for the development of our nation
al wealth and most powerful agency in
protecting the homes of our working
men from the invasion of want.
1t is not my purpose to renew here
the argument in favor of a protective
tariff. The result of the recent election
must be accepted as having introduced
new policy. We must assume that the
present tariff, constructed upon the lines
of protection, is to he repealed and that
there is to be substituted for it q tariff
law constructed solely with reference
to revenue; that no duty is to be higher
because the increase will keep open an
American mill or keep up the wages of
an American workman, but that in every
case such rate of duty is to be imposed
as will bring to the treasury of the
United States the largest returns of
revenue. The contention has not been
between schedules, but between princi
pies, and it would be offensive to sug-
gest that the prevailing party will not
carry into legislation the principles ad-
vocated by it and the pledges given to
the people.
recommend that the whole subject
of the tariff revision be left to the in
coming Congress. 1t is matter of re-
gret 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 and of di-
minished production will necessarily re-
suit, 1t is possible also that this uncer-
tainty may result in decreased revenues
from customs duties, for our merchants
will make cautious orders for foreign
goods in view of the prospect of tariff
reductions and the uncertainty as to
when they will take effect. Those who
have advocated a protective tariff can
well afford to have their disastrous fore
casts OF change of policy disappointed.
IT system of customs duties can be
framed that will set the idle wheels and
looms OF Europe in motion and crowd
our warehouses with foreign. made
goods; and at the same time keep our
own mills busy; that will give us an IL
creased participation in the markets of
the world" of greater value than the
home market we surrender; that will
give increased work to foreign workmen
upon products to be consumed by our
people without diminishing the amount
of work to be done here; that will ena-
BILE the American manufacturer to pay
to his workmen from fifty to a hundred
per cent. more in wages than is paid in
the foreign mill, and yet to compete lin
our market and in foreign markets with
the foreign producer; that will further
reduce the cost of articles of wear and
food without reducing the wages of
those who produce thom; that can be
celebrated after its effects have been
realized, as its expectation has been in
European as well as in American cities,
The authors and promoters of it will be
to the highest praise.
We have had in our history several ex-
Deriences of the contrasted effects of a
revenue and of a protective tariff, but
his generation has not felt them and the !
experience of one generation is not high
y instructive to the next. The friends |
If the protective system, with undimin- |
shed confidence in the principles they |
lave advocated, await the results of the |
lew experiment.
The strained and too often disturbed |
citations existing between the employe |
md the employers of our great manufac- !
uring establishments have not been
avorable to calm consideration by the |
vage-earner of the effect upon wages of
he protective system. The facts that
lis wages were the highest paid in like
allings in the world and that a mainte-
ance of this rate of wages, in the alb
ence of protective duties upon the pro-
uct of his labor, was impossible, were
bScured by the passion evoked by these
ontests, He may now be able to review
he question in the light of his personal
experience under the operation of tariff
Or revenue only If that experience
hall demonstrate that present rates of
'ages are thereby maintained or in
reased, either absolutely or in their
urchasing power, and that the aggregate
olume of work to be done in this coun-
rV is increased or maintained, so that
here are more or as many days work in
year at as good or better wages for the
-merican workmen as has been the case
nder the protective system, every one
MI rejoice. A general process of wage
cannot be contemplated by any
atriotic citizen without the gravest ap-
rehension. 1t may be, indeed | believe
, possible for the American manufac-
lrer to compete successfully with his
'reign rival in many branches of pro-
uction without the defense of protec-
We duties, if the pay rolls are equalized;
ut the conflict that stands between the
roducer and that result and the distress ;
our working people when tits attained
re not pleasant to contemplate. The
'clety OF the unemployed, now holding
S frequent and threatening parades in
le streets of foreign cities, should not
2 allowed to acquire an American dOmi- ,
lie.
The message then takes up the work
the several departments, showing ex-
'llent work. The reciprocity plan has {
cen accepted by several countries, and :
atlstics show that it has thus far been
success in increasing the markets for
rm products. The president is firm
his American position relative to {
reign affairs whether it be Chile, Eng
nd or France. '
The facts in the Bering See seal bust
,ss and the arbitration board are given,
I'd the president recommends that
)wer be given to the president, by pro-
amatiOn, to prohibit the taking of seals
the North Pacific by American vessels,
case either as the result of the find
gs of the tribunal of arbitration, or {
,herWise, the restraints can be applied
the vessels of all countries. The case
the United States for the tribunal of
'bitration has been prepared with great I
re and the outlook of the United States !
good. The president also speaks at