Los Angeles herald., 1892-12-07

1t is not my purpose to review here
the argument in favor of protective
tariff. The result of the recent election
must be accepted as having introduced
a new policy. We must assume that
the present tariff, constructed upon the
lines of protection, is to be repealed,
and that there is to be substituted for 1t
a tariff law constructed solely to pro-
duce 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 snch a rate of duty is to be
imposed as will bring the treasury OF
the United States the largest returns OF
revenue. The condition has not been
Piles, 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.
TARIFF REVISION.
The tariff bills passed by the house OF
representatives at the last session were,
as l supposed, even in the opinion of
their promoters, inadequate, and Justi-
fed only bv the fact that the senate and
house OF re representatives. were not in ac-
cord, and that general revision could
not, therefore, be undertaken. L recon-
mend that the whole subject OF tariff
revision be left to the incoming congress.
1t ls matter of regret 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 diminished pro-
duction, will necessarily result. 1t is
possible, also. that this uncertainty
may 1esult in decrease of revenues from
customs duties, for our merchants will
make cautious orders for foreign goods,
in view OF the prospect OF tariff reduc-
tions, and the uncertainty as to when 1t
will take effect.
Those who have advocated q protect
i've tariff can well afford to have their
disastrous forecasts Of change of policy
disappointed. Ii 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 at the same time keep
our own mills busy; that will give us
an increased participation in the mar
kets of the world" of a greater value
than the home market that we surren-
der; that will give increased work 10
foreign workmen upon products to be
consumed by our people, without dimin-
ishing the amount OF work to be done
here; that will enable the American
manufacturer to pay to his workmen
from so to 100 per cent more in wages
than is paid by the foreign mill and yet
compete in our market and i'll the for.
~ n vl, ats s,,,itl !, ha foraipy
that will further reduce the cost ofarticles
of wear and food without reducing the
wages Of those who produce them; that
can be celebrated after its effects have
been realized, az its expectation has
been, in European as well as in Ameri-
can cities, the authors and promoters OF
it will be entitled to the highest praise.
We have had in our history several
experiences OF the contrasted effects OF
revenue and of protective tariff, but
this generation has not felt them. and
the experience of one generation is not
highly instructive to the next. The
friends OF the protective system, with
undiminished confidence in the princl-
pies they have advocated, will await the
results OF the new experiment.
THE WAGE QUESTION.
lbO StldlnSO duC, lOu oAlcb, dlStuIDSu
relations exciting between employees and
employers in our great manufacturing
establishments have not been favorable
to a calm consideration by the wage
Garner OF the effect upon wages of the
protective eystem. The fact that his
wages were the highest paid in like
calling in the world, and that main
tenanLe OF this rate of wages in the abb
sence of protective duties upon the
product OF his labor was impo ssible,
were obscured by the passion evoked by
those contests. He NAV now be able to
review the question in the light OF his
personal experience under the oper
alton OF tariff for revenue |
only. Ii that experience shall |
demonstrate that the present rate of
wages are thereby maintained or in
creased, either absolutely or in the pur-
chasing power, and that the aggregate
volume of work to be done in this
country ia increased, or even main
tained, that there are more. or as many
days OF work in a year, at as good, or
better wages, for the American work.
man, as has been the case under the
protective system, everyone will rejoice.
A general process of wage reduction
Uc COD pldItU ny any
citizen without the gravest apprehen-
eion.
1t may be. indeed l believe 1t is, pos
sible for the American manufacturer to
compete successfully with his foreign
rival in many branches of production,
without the defense OF protective du-
ties, if the pay-rolls are equalized but
the conflict that stands between the |
producer and that result, and the dis
tress of our working people, when it is
attained, are not pleasant to conIem-
plate. The society Of the unemployed
now holding its frequent and threaten
ing parades in the streets OF foreign
cities should not be allowed to acquire
an American domicie.
WORK OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
The reports of the heads of the sev-
eral executive departments, which are
herewith submitted, havevery naturally
included resume of the whole work of |
the administration and the transactions
OF the last fiscal year. The attention, |
not only OF congress but of the country, |
is again invited to the methods of ad- |
ministration which have been pursued, |
and to the results which have been at. |
tanned. Public revenues amounting to |
81 Ala ,07e, ,292 2S have been collected and |
disbursed without loss from misappro- |
priation, without a single defalcation OF |
such Importance as to attract the public |
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