The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-08-23
McKnleyism VS.. CleveIandIsm.


some Of our free trade contemporaries
are squabbling over the definition OF
McKinleyism. The Pres viii gladly de-
fine McKinleyism, and We hope that the
definition will be accepted.
McKinleyism, as applied to the tariff
legislation formulated by William Nc
Kinley. chairman Of the Ways and
Means Committee Of the Fiftv-frst Con-
gress, represents the most advanced tariff
bill ever enacted by an American Con-
gTess.
That act as It stands on the statute
books to-day represents the broadest
craftsmanship.
It extended the free list, reducing the
average ad valorem rate on all imported
merchandise to q trifie over 20 per cent.
It gave the masses Of the people the
great boon Of free sugar.
It gave the manufacturers free raw ma
teriaI wherever this could be done with
out destroying an American industry or
impoyerishing American labor.
1t reduced duties wherever it was pos
sible to DO so without injury 70 American
manufsctur,s.
It fearlessly increased duties wherever
by so doing it was possible to establish
on this side of the Atlantic an industry
employing American labor and American
capital.
It strengthened the administration Of
the customs laws by substituting specific
for ad yalorem duties, thereby decreasing
the possibilities Of fraud.
It adjusted rates of duties to the needs
Of business with the one patriotic aim Of
employing the largest amount Of Ameri-
can capital or the greatest number Of
American artisans for the benefit Of the
home market
That, in brief, is McKinleyism. What
were the results?
NosOoner was the law enacted than the
current began to run in our direction
the direction of the United States. Mills,
factories and workshops began to spring
up all over the country. Many large in
dustries moved their entire plants othis
country. The manufacture of tin plate,
Of various other metals, of pearl buttons,
Of ace, CT plush and a hundred other
commodities was established. Wages
stifened. Additional hands were en-
ployed. New factories were built. The
country was prosperous. The working
classes were employed. To say that Me-
Kinleyism increased the cost Of anything
cannot for an instant be sustained, for
even such a rabid free trade organ as the
New York ErnHg Posi, admits that never
in the history yoflhecountry has the Amer
ican workman been able II purchase 50
much for a given sum Of money as dur
ing this period.
Had Mckinleyism been allowed to
stand this prosperity would lave ccntin-
ued. The present depression and indus
trial ruin would have been averted. In
place Of Mckinleyism, with its prosperi-
ty, its high wages and abundant work,
the nation is now threatened with the
blight Of Cleyelandism. The very hearts
core Of the country-its industries-are
TO be destroyed. The wages Of labor, 50
free trade organs coldly announce, must
be reduced. They are too high, they
proclaim. If the passage Of these free
trade laws means ruin, why ruin it must
be. Cievelandism means broken imam
cial institutions, shrinkage Of values, re
duced wages, men and women out Of en-
ployment, ruined manufacturers, closed
workshops.
Il won't take long, if matters continue
as they are just now, for the wage earn
ers Of the United States TO obtain very
clear and very emp hattie definition Of the
difference between McKinleyism and
Cieyelandism.