The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-07

tniB generation mas NOT fStt tHeHit ara
the experience Of one generation is
not highly instructive to the next. The
friends of the protective system, with
undiminished confdedce in the princi.
pies. they have advocated, will await the
result Of the new experiment
STRIKES AND THE TARIFF.
The strained and too often disturbed
relations existing between employees
and the employers in our great
manufacturing establishments have
not been favorable to calm
consideration by tho wage-earner
Of the effect upon wages OF the
protective system. The facts that his
wages were the highest paid in like
callings in the world, and that main
teRance OF this rate OF wages in the abb
sence OF protective duties upon the pro-
duct OF his labor was impossible, were
obscured blythe passion evoked by these
contests. He may now be able to re-
view the question in the light oil his
personal experience under tho opera
ton OF tariff for revenue only. Ii that
experience shall demonstrate that the
present rates OF wages are thereby
maintained or increased, either abso-
lutely or in their purchasing power,
and that the aggregate volume OF work
to be done in this country is increased,
or even maintained so that there are
more or as many days work in a year, at
az good or better wages, for the Ameri-
can workman as has been the case under
the protective system, every one Will
rejoice.
A general process OF wage reduction
cannot be contemplated by any patri-
otto citizen without the gravest appre-
hension. II may be, indeed l believe
is, possible for the American manuiac-
turer to compete successfully with his
foreign rival in many branches Of pro-
duction without the defense of protec-
tive duties, il tho pay rolls are equal
lied, but the conflict that stands be-
tween the producer and that result, and
the distress OF our working people when
it is attained are not pleasant to con-
template. The society OF the unem.
pioyed now holding its frequent and
threatening parades in the streets OF
foreign cities should not be allowed to
acquire an American domicile.
WORK OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
The reports OF the heads OF the sew
eral executive departments, which are
herewith submitted, have very natur-
ally included n 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 results which
have been attained. Public revenues
amounting to $l,4l4,079,292 2S have
been collected and disbursed without
loss from misappropriation, without q
single defalcation OF such importance s
to attract the public attention, and at
diminished per cent OF cost for collec-
ton. The public business has been
transacted, not only with fidelity, but
progressively, and with view TO giving
to the people in the fullest possible dc.
gree the benefits Of a service established
and maintained for their protection
and comfort.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with other nations are
now undisturbed by any serious con-
troversy. Tho complicated and theat-
ening differences with Germany and
England relating to Samoan affairs,
with England in relation to the seal
fisheries in the Bering sea, and with
Chile growing out OF the Baltimore
affair have been adjusted.
There have been negotiated and con-
cluded, under section 3 OF the tariff law,
commercial agreements relating to
reciprocal trade with the following
countries: Brazil, Dominican Repub-
lie, Spain for Cuba and Puerto Rico,
Guatemala, Salvador, the German EN-
pire, Great Britain Tor certain West
Indian colonies and British Guiana,
Honduras and Austria-Hungary.
OF these those with Guatemala, Saliva
dor, the German empire, Great Britain,
Nicaragua, Honduras and Austria-Hun-
gary have been concluded since my last
annual message. Under these trade ar
fragments Il free or favored admission
has been secured in every case for on i'm
portant list OF American products. Espe-
cial care has been taken to secure markets
for farm products, in order to relieveth that
great underlying industry OF the depres-
sion which the lack OF an adequate for
eign market for our surplus often
brings. An opening has also been made
for manufactured products that will UNI
doubtedly, if this policy is maintained,
greatly augment our export trade.
BENEFITS OF RECIPROCITY,
The full benefits ofthese arrangements
can not be realized instantly. New
lines OF trade are to be opened, and the
commercial traveller must survey the
field. Tho manufacturer must adapt
his goods to the new markets, and faci-
lities Tor exchange must be established.
This work has been well begun, our
merchants land manufacturers having
entered the new fields with courage and
enterprise. In the case OF food pro-
ducts, and especially with Cuba, the
trade did not need TO wait and the I'm
mediate results have been most crafty
ing. Ii this policy and these trade ar.
raneements can be continued in force
and aided by the establishment OF
American steamship lines, l do not
doubt that we shall, within short
period, secure fully one-third OF the
total trade OF the countries OF Central
and South America, which now amounts
to about $500, 100000 annually. In 1885
We had only eight per cent OF the trade.
The following statistics show the in
crease in our trade with the countries
with which we have reciprocal trade
agreements, from the date when such
agreements went into effect up to Sep
tember so, 1892, the increase being in