The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-09-28
meets my most hearty approval Tho CON

incctS my uOSt ucditJ uppIoNd. MAJ CUFF
vention did not adopt a schedule but q
principle that Is TO control all taiiff sched-
ues- There may be differences of opinion
among protectionists as To the rate upon
particular articles necessary to affect an
equalization between wages abroad ana ut
home. In some not remote national cam
paigns the issue has been-Or more cor
rectly, has been made to appear 10 be-be-
tween high and low protective tariff,
both parties expressing sollcitious regard
for the wages of our working people and
for the prosperity of our domestic indus
tries. But, under more courageous lead
ership, the Democratic party has now prac-
tlcally declared that, IL given power, ii will
enact q tariff law without any regard to
its effect upon wages or upon the capital
invested in our great industries. The mai
GRITTY report of the Committee on Platform
10 the Democratic National Convention at
Chicago, contained this clause THAT
when custom house taxation is levied upon
articles of any kind produced i'm this cOun-
try the difference between the cost of labor
here and abroad, when such difference
exists, fully measures am possible benefits
10 labor and the enormous additional inn
positions of the existing tariff fall with
crushing force upon our farmers and work
ingmen." Here we have n distinct admis-
sion OF the Republican contention that
American workingmen are advantaged by
a tariff rate equal TO the difference between
home and foreign wages. and a dec laration
only against the alleged additional i'm
positions of the existing tariff law.
Again, this majority report further de-
clared: But In making reduction in
taxes II is not proposed TO injure any do
nestle industries, but rather TO promote
their healthy growth. Moreover, many
industries have come TO rely upon legisla-
ton for successful continuance. so that
any change OF law must be at every step
recardful of the labor and capital in
volved." Here we have an admission that
many of our industries depend upon pro-
tective duties for their successful con-
tinuance" and declaration that the tariff
changes should be regardful of such indus
tries and OF the invested capital. The
overwhelming rejection OF these PROPOSE
tons, which haG before received the sane
ton OF Democratic National conventions
was not more indicative of the new and
more courageous leadership to which the
party has now committed itself than the
substitute which was adopted. This sub
Stitute declares that protective duties are
uncOnstltutional-high protection, low pro-
lection, all unconstitutional. A Democra-
tic congress holding this view cannot enact,
nor Democratic president approve. any
tariff schedule, the purpose or effect OF
which is 70 limit impOrtatlOnS or to give
any advantage to an American workman
or producer A bounty might, Judge, be
given to the importer under this view of
the constitution. In order TO Increase inn
portant impOrtations, and so the revenue
for revenue only" is the limitation.
RECIPROCITY WOULD GO TOO.
Reciprocity of course falls under this de-
nunciatiOn, tor its object and effect are not
revenue but the promotion of commercial
exchanges the profits of which 20 wholly
TO our producers. The doctrine was not
held or taught by the historic Democratic
statesmen whose fame as American pa
triotS has reached this generatlOn-cer-
tainly not by Jefferson or jackson. This
mad crusade against American shops,
the bitter epithetS applied to American
manufacturers, the persistent disbelief or
every report OF the opening OF tin plate
mill Of OF an increase of our foreign trade
by reciprocity are as surprising as they are
dIscred table There Is not q thoughtful
business man in the country who does
not know that the enactment into law or
the declaration of the Chicago convention
on the subject of the tariff would at once
plunge the country into BUSINESS cmvul-
sion such as ii has never seen; and there is
not q thoughtful working man who does
not know that ii would at once enormously
reduce the amount OF work TO be done in
this country by the increase of importa-
tons that would follow and neceSSltate q
reduction of wages TO the European stand
ard. Ii any one suggests that this radical
policy will not be executed if the Demo
cratic party attalnS power, what shall be
thought of a party that Is capable of thus
tritilng with great interests? The threat
OF such legislation will be only less hurt
full than the fact. A distinguished Demo
challenge to the protected industries to a
fight Of determination; and another such
rightly expressed the logic of the situation
when he interpreted the Chicago platform
to be an invitation TO all Democrats hold
ing even the most moderate protection
views to 80 into the Republican party.
THE PRESENT TARIFF LAW.
And now a few words in regard to the
existing tariff law. We are fortunately
ton and prices by the market reports.
The day OF the prophet of calamity has
been succeeded by that of the trade re-
porter. An examination Into the effect OF
the law upon the prices Of protected pro-
ducts and of the cost Of such articles as
enter into the living of people of small
means has been made by a senate commit
tee composed of leading senators of both
parties, with the aid of the best statlsti-
cians and the report, signed by all the
members OF the committee, has been given
TO the public. No such wide and careful
inquiry has ever before been made. These
facts appear from the report:
TlISl-l Ht COSb VI INTO
the use of those earning less than $1,000
per annum, has decreased to May, 1892,
S.4 per cent, while In farm products there
has been an increase in prices, owing in
part to an increased foreign demand and
the opening of new markets In England
during the same period the cost OF living
increased 1.9 per cent Tested by their
power TO purchase articles OF necessity the
earnings of our working people have never
been as great as they are now
Second-There has been an average adj
vance in the rate of wages of 10 of / per
cent.
Third-There has been an advance in the
price of all farm products of 1857 per cent,
and of all cereals $3.50 per cent
The ninth annual report of the chief of
the bureau of labor statistics OF the State
of New York. n Democratic officer, very
recently issued, corrOborates rs to that
state the facts found by the senate COM
mittcc. Ills extended inquiry shows that
in the year Immediately following the
passage OF tho tariff at OF 1880 the aggre-
gate sum paid in wages in that state was
S6.377. g25 In excess of the aggregate pro-
ductiOn. S3l, 3l5, $50 in excess Of the pre-
ceding year. In view of this showing Of
an increase in wages, of a reduction in the
cost of articles of common necessity and
of marked advance in the prices of agri-
cultural products, IL is plain that this tariff
ls..e A.