Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-09-06

markets which have been openedl
As have shown. the commercial circles
in Europe do not regard the reciprocity
policy as sham but as a serious threat
TO trade supremacy they have long en-
joyed. They would rejoice, aad, VI pru-
dence did not restrain, would illuminate
their depressed manufacturing cities over
the news that the United States had aban-
doned its system OF protection and reci-
procity, They see very clearly that re-
striction of American products and trade
and a corresponding increase OF European
production and trade would follow. and
l will not believe that what Is so plain 20
them can be hidden from our own people.
The declaration of the platform in favor
of "the American doctrine Of protection"
meets my most hearty approval. The con-
vention did not adopt a schedule but aprin-
ciple that is 70 control all tariff schedules.
There may be differences OF opinion among
protectionists as to the rate upon partic0-
lar articles necessary 10 effect au eQualisa-
tion between wages abroad ana NJ home.
In some not remote National campaigns the
issue has been, or more correctly, has been
made 10 appear TO be between high and y
low protective tariff, both parties express
ing some sollcitous regard for the
WAGES OF OUR WORKING PEOPLE
and for the prosperity OF our domestic In
dustrleS. But under q more courageous
leadership the Democratic party has now
practically declared that, IL given power,
IL will enact tariff law without any re-
gard 10 its effect upon wages or upon
capital invested in our great industries.
The majority report Of the committee on
platform 10 the Democratic National Con-
vention at Chicago contained this clause;
"That when custom house taxation is
levied upon articles OF any kind produced
in this country the difference between the
cost OF labor here aud abroad, when such
difference exists, fully measures any possi-
BILE benefits 20 labor, and the enormous ad-
ditionRl impositions OF the existing tariff,
fall with crushing force upon our farmers
and workingmen.n
Here we have distinct admission Of the
Republican convention that American
workmen are advantaged by tariff rate
equal 10 the difference between home and
foreign wages, and a declaration only
against the alleged "additional imposi-
tionsn Of the existing tariff law.
Again this majority report further do
clared.
"But, in making reduction In taxes it
is not proposed 10 iujure any domestic IN
dustries, but rather 10 promote thcis
healthy growth Moreover, many Indus
tries have come 10 rely upon legislation
for successful continuance, so that any
change Of law must be at every step re-
gardful OF the labor and the capital thus
involved
Here we have an admission that many OF
our industries depend upon protective du.
ties "fOr their successful continuance" and
a declaration
THAT TARIFF CHANGES
should be regardful OF theworkmen In such
industries and Of the invested capital
The overwhelming rejection OF these
propositions which had never before re-
ceived the sanction OF Democratic NATIONAL
Conventions was not more indicative OF the
new and more courageous leadership 70
which the party has now committed ltSels
than the substitute which was adopted.
This substitute declares that protective
DUTIES ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
high protection, low protection-all un-
constitutional A Democratic Congress
holding this view cannot enact nor a Dem
ocratic President approve any tarln sched-
ule. the purpose or effect OF which Is 20
limit importations or 10 give any
advantage 10 an American workman
or producer. A bounty might. Judge,
be given 10 the importer under this view
Of the constitution, in order 10 increase
important impOrtatiOns since the revenue
for revenue only Is the Limitation. Reci-
procity of course falls under this denuncla-
tion, for It's ooiect and eile ct are not reve-
nue.. but the promoter OF commercial cx-
changes, the profits OF which 10 wholly TO
our producers. This destructive un-
American doctrine was not held
or taught by the historic Demo-
cratic statesmen whose fame as American
patriots has reached this generation Ger
tainly not by Jefferson or Jackson. This
mad crusade against American ships. tho
bitter epithets applied TO American manu-
faciurers, the persistent disbelief OF every
report Of the opening OF tin plate mill, or
OF an increase Of our foreign trade by re-
ciprocity, are as surprising as they arc
discredltable. There Is not q thoughtful
business maa in the country who does
not know that the enactment into
law OF the declaration OF the Chicago con-
yention on the subject OF the tariff would
alone b!unge the country into business
conyuisiOu such as ~ has never seen; and
there is not "A thoughtful workngmsn who
does not know that II would at once enor-
mously reduce the amount Of work 20 DO
done Ia this country by the increase oi I'M
pOrtatiOns that would follow, and ncces5i-
tate reduction Of his wages 10 the Eu-
ropean standard. III any one suggests that
this radical policy viii not be executed,
IL the Democratic party attains power,
what shall be thought o. party that Is ca
pable OF thus trifing with great interosisi
The
THREAT or SUCH LEGISLATION
would be only less hurtful than the fact.
A distinguished Democrat rightly described
this movement as challenge 20 the pro-
tected industries 20 q fight Of eStermina-
ton. and another such rightly expressed
the logic OF the situation when hc interpre-
TED the Chicago platform 70 DC an invita-
ton 70 all Democrats holding even tho
most moderate protection views 10 20 into
the Republican party.
And now few words In regards 20 the
existing tariff Law. We are fortunately
able 10 Judge Of It's influence upon produc-
ton aud prices by the market reports. Tho
day OF the prophet OF calamity has been sue
ceeded by that or the trade reporter. An
examination into the effect OF the law
upon the prices Of protection pro-
ducts and Of the cost OF
such articles as enter into the liy-
ing OF people Of small means has been made
by Senate committee composed OF leading
Senator's Of both parties with the aid of
the best statisticians and the report signed
by all the members Of the COMMITTEES has
been given 10 the public. No such wide
and careful inquiry has ever before been
made. These facts appear from the re-
port:
First-The cost Of articles entering into
the use OF those earning less than ono
thousand dollars per annun, has decreased
UP TO May 1872. per cent, while in farr
products there has been an increase
prices, owing Ia part 70 an ircres'
foreign demand and the opening OF
markets In England, during the
period, the cost Of living incrcasedI
cent. Tested bY their power 70 p4
ARTICLES or SEcEssITTl
the earnings OF our working per
never been so great as they are nc
Second-Thcre has been 40 ~
vance ia The rate OF wages Of ~
cent