The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-07

strument for the development OF our national
wealth, and most powerful agency In protect
ing inc homes Of our w9 ,as, from the nys.
terest to preserve 10 our working people rates OF
wages that would not only give daily bread, but
supply comfortable margin for those home at
fractions and family comforts and enjoyments
without which life Is neither hopeful nor sweet.
They are American citizens, part OF the great
people Tor whom our constitution and Govern
ment were framed and Instituted and il cannot
be peryersion Of that constitution TO so egislate
as to preserve 10 their homes the comfort, inde-
pehdence, loyalty and sense OF interest In the
Government which are essential TO good citizen
ship in peace. which will bring them, as in 1861,
TO the defense OF the flag when II is assaied.
Ii is not my purpose 10 review here the argu-
ment In favor Of protective tariff. Tie result
OF the recent election must be accepted as hay
Ing introduced new policy. We must assume
that the present tariff. constructed upon the lines
OF protection Is 10 be repealed and that there Is
TO be substituted for IL tariff law constructed
solely TO revenue; that no duty Is 10 be higher
because the Increase will keep open Ameri-
can mill or keep I'D the wages of an American
workman. but that In every case such a rate OF
duty is 10 be iml osed will bring the treasury
OF the United States the largest returns Of reve-
nue.. The contention has not been between
be offensive TO suggest that the prev aiiing party
will not carry into legislation the principles adj
vocaied by Il and The pledges given TO the people.
The taTlf bills passed by the House OF Repre-
sentatlves at the last session were, as sup
posed, even IN the opinion OF their promoters.
inadeqaie and justified only by The fact that the
Senate aud House of Representatives were not
In accord. and that general revision could not,
therefore, be undertaken. / recommend that
the Whole subject OF tafi1 revision be left 10 the
incoming Congress- 1t Is matter of regret that
this work must be delayed for al least three
months. for the threat OF great tariff changes
Introduces so much uncertainty that al amount.
DOL easily estimated, OF business inaction ana of
GimOished production viii necessarily result.
Ii is possible also. that this uncertainty may re-
suit in decreased revenues from customs duties,
Tor our merchants Will make cautious orders for
foreign goods in view OF the prospect Of tariff
reduction and the uncertainty as to when II VIII
take effect.
Those who have advocated a protective tariff
can well afford 10 have their disastrous fore
casts OF change Of policy disappointed Ii a
system OF customs rules can be framed that will
set The Idle wheels and looms OF Europe in
motion and crowd our warehouses with foreign
made goods, and al Tie same keep cur own mills
busy that Will give us an increased parliclpa.
ton 10 the markets OF the world" OF a greater
salue IN d me nome marker, that we surrender;
that VIII give increased work TO foreign woTkmen
upon products 10 be consumed by our people
without diminishing the amount OF work TO be
done here; that will enable the American manu-
facturer 10 pay 10 his WORK men from 90 to 100
per cont more In wages than is paiG In tic foreign
mill, and yet 10 compete IN our market and in
foreign markets with the foreign producer; that
VIII further reduce the cost of articles of wear
ana food without reducing the wages OF those
who produce them: that can be celebrated after
It's eiects nave been realized as It's expectation
has been Ia European as well In American
cities, the authors and promoters OF II Will be
entitled TO tie highest praise.
We have had 10 our history several experiences
OF The contrasted enects of a revenue aud of
protective taTf, bur this generation has not felt
them, and the experience OF one generation is
not highly instructive TO the next The friends
OF ibe protective system, with uDdiminished con-
hdence In. the principles they have advocated,
Will walt the results Of the new experiment. The
strained aud too often disturbed relations
existing between the employees and the EN-
ployer Ia our great manufacturing estab-
lishments have not been favorable TO n
calm consideration by the wage Garner of
tile effect upon wages Of The protective system,
The highest paid Ia like cailiugs In the word;
and The fact that maintenance OF this rate OF
wages tn the abs-nc OF protective duties upon
the product OF his labor was impossible was Oh
scuTed by the passion evoked by these contests.
He may now be able To review the question In
the light OF his personal experiences under the
experience shall demonstrate that the present
rates OF wages are thereby maintained or IN.
creased, either absolutely or In their purchas
Ing power, and that the aggregate volume OF
work TO be done in this country Is increased or
even maintained, that there are more as many
wages for the American workman as has
been the case under the protective system, every
one will rejoice. A general process of wage re-
ductlon cauuot be contemplated by any patri-
0ilc citizen without the gravest apprehension.
IL may b indeed, believe IL ia, possible for
fully with his foreign rival in many branches OF
production without the defense of protective
duties, II tile payrolls are eQuAlZed, but the
nict that stands between the producer aud that
result, eud the distress OF our working people,
when II Is attained, are not pleasant to con-
template.
The Society Of the Unemployed. now holding
lis frequent and Threatening parades in the
streets Of foreign Cities sheuid not be allowed
10 acquire an American domicile.