New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-11
INnIEEERENCE TO LABOR

Democratic attempts to make capital out OF
the Homestead troubles, whether in Congress
or in the press arc miscalculated and futile.
The Chicago Convention made record on the
question of the interests of workingmcn as
affected by tariff legislation, and it cannot be
repudiated. The resolutions reported TO the
convention recognized the expedency OF pro-
tectng American industries to the extent OF
maintaining the difference of level in wages
rAid here and in Europe. Those resolutions
were voted down by an overwhelming ma
ority. and radical proposition CONCERNING
Protection as robbery and unconstitutional, and
advocating a tariff for revenue only, was adopt
cd. BY that incorporating action the DEM
ocratic party placed itself on record as in favor
of tariff revision without reference to its effect
on wages. II stands committed to the policy
of striking ont all the protective features OF
the tariff without regard for the interests OF
wage-earners 1t demands tariff for revenue
only. If wages go down to the European
level under such a tariff the worllingmen arc
TO adjust themselves to the new condition as
best they may Democracy. when judged by
its own utterances and action is indifferent
to their losses.
IN view OF tnlS TtCoiu HoN pI'p'''N'""' "'N
the attempts on that side to hold Protection
and the Mckinley Act responsible for the labor
conflict at Homestead How insignificant are
the reductions in the proposed schedules there
in comparison with the enormous cut in wages
which will have to be made if the steel works
are to be conducted hereafter on the basis of
a revenue tariff Let it be granted for argyll
ment's sake that the managers are not Justlfed
in their claim that the workmen can earn more
money under the new schedule thar they could
a few years ago before the plant was improved
and their own productive capacity largely IN
creased Let it be assumed that there would
be a slight reduction Of wages for certain
classes of workmen in the mills under the new
schedules. How would it be possible to operate
those works at all under a revenue tariff with
out scaling down the wages of all classes OF
workmen TO the level Of English. Belgian and
German operatives? What the Democratic
party will bring about, if it controls the next
Congress in both branches and has Mr.. Cleve
land in office to sign a Revenue-Tariff bill is
general reduction of wages throughout the
country. This will he the logical and ncccs-
sary effect of its tariff policy. There is not
Democratic orator who will dare TO assert on
the stump this year that wages will be higher
when foreign labor is brought into direct COM
petition with American labor Mr.. Cleveland
is the candidate Of the low-wagc party. which
proclaimed at Chicago its indifference to the
interests of labor. Therefore, it i'll becomes
the leaders and press of that party 10 condemn
the Homestead managers for attempting Il
sicbt reimbursement of wages or 70 sheer at
the Mckinley Act as IA low-wagc tariff
Then, too, there is the vital question OF en-
ploymcnt. At Homestead there are now 5000
men out of work II compromise be effected
through arbitration or otherwise, they will he
again employed or at the worst there arc
iron mills at other industrial centres where
they can eventually find work. But under
revenue tariff mills and factories will be closed,
and there will be no work 10 be had, even at
heavily reduced wages. While many employ
crs might be willing TO continue manufacturing
operations under Free-Trade conditions with
n heavy cut in wages many more would not
make the effort but would abandon the field
TO foreign competitors. Not only would there
be lower wages but there would be vastly
less work under a revenue tariff This will
be another OF the logical results Of Democratic
tariff policy; and the Chicago Convention, by
repudating the majority resolutions, has de
clared in advance that il is Indifferent TO the
abandonment Of American industries and 10
the withdrawal of sources of employment for
working people.
Ns-T/