Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-10-19
a Few Nuts for Free Traders to Crack.
The following communication is most
pertinent at the present time:
w ATERTOWN. Oct. Is. 1897

~ Wv
pertinent at the present time:
WATERFOWL, Oct. Is, 1892.
| Editor Repatblicdn:--On all public ques-
tons there are two or more sides and
men favor that side of a question which
agrees with their ideas or prejudices.
The Democrats argue from theOre-
tical point of view,-whereas the Re-
publicans argue from the results al
ready obtained, and claim that this
country can make all classes Of mer-
chandise if capital is encouraged to
invest, and that competition regulates
prices, and if goods are high at first the
struggle for trade between rival manu-
facturers soon reduces prices.
The Mckinley bill advances all linen
goods that count 100 threads, or less,
to square inch from 35 per cent. to 80
that count more than 100 threads to
the square inch are not affected, but
remain same as before-35 per cent.
AS an example take alinen handker-
chief that costs in Ireland 80 cents
dozen in our money (the handkerchief
counting less than 100 threads), would
have cost landed under the old tariff
ST. .O8, under the present law $1.2O, a
difference of II cents dozen.
This difference, if it did actually ex-
list, is not sufficient to drive the article
out of trade, but it does not work that
way, foreign manufacturers, rather
than lose their trade, cut the price,
which brings the article in very closely
to the old price.
The sale of cotton handkerchief has
increased of late-this is due to the
fact that merchants strive to undersell
one another, and for the same price
can sell cotton handkerchief, which
is finer in count and more slightly than
linen.
The foreign goods are given the pre-
ference, as the finish is 80 near linen
that it is not easily distinguished.
The American handkerchiefs have
not this finish, but are soft, the natural
finish of cotton.
There are at least score of mills
making cotton handkerchiefs in this
country, and the fact is that any mill
that works up fine yarns can make the
goods.
The greatest advance on Henriettas,
or cashmeres, was Scents, this advance
has been cut down every season, until
the difference at present is about cents.
The Mckinley bill has had the effect
of causing these goods to be made In
this country, and has brought over
some foreign capital.
Pearl buttons were advanced by the
bill from % per cent. ad valorem to p
cents line and % per cent. ad valor
cost in Austria GO line), 3S cents
American money, would under the old
tariff cost 473 cents landed, under the
present law of p cents a line and 25
per cent.=979 cents, difference of so
cents gross.
But pearl button factories were soon
in operation in this country and the
price never reached the limit, and the
buttons made in this country were
soon reduced from the first price asked
10 to 10 per cent.
There are great many pearl button
factories in this country at present,
five In this state, at Eau Claire, Mani
towoc, Mishicott, Milwaukee and Wa
terloo.
There is history connected with the
manufacture of pearl buttons, which
the Democrats take care not to men
ton.
That is that the Austrian manufact-
urers kept lowering the wages of the
work man until they were on the verge
of starvation-the Imperial Parliament
| then passed a law forbidding any manu-
| facturer paying less than so much q
gross for the making of the buttons.
This advanced the price OF pearl but
tons in Austria and stopped the MAX
ing of the common jet buttons.
A tariff argument is very difficult
and it takes men well posted in each
line to argue well.
The whole thing amounts to this
labor represents from so to 90 per cent.
the value of an article, and if the wages
are paid to American workmen, this
money remains in this country-if the
goods are made in foreign countries
the wages are received by foreign
workmen and spent in foreign coun-
tries thus lost forever to the United
States.
The Mckinley bill has had magical
effect in the manufacturing line, and if
sustained by the election of Harrison,
will work greater wonders.
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER.