New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-27
LET UORKING MEN PETI7ION

1
pealed, or so broken down that the prostlation
of industries shall continue. rests with the
people They know whether they want 1t so
! changed for they know infinitely better than
the politicians and the party organs how np-
prehcnsion of change affects their business
and their industries. There is some excuse for
| Congressmen if. in the absence of any fresh OK
preston of the desire of voters they take 1t for
granted that voters for the party now in power
approved the most explicit declarations OF its
platform. Yet it is the perfectly wel-known
fact that thousands voted on the prevailing side
who did not expect or desire to see those dec
larations carried into effect. There is also
much greater number of men who have como
to understand. since the election and since the
mills began to close, what radical change OF
tariff means for them. Large bodies OF work
ingmen. through their chosen representatives
entered earnest protests against such change
before the House committee at Washington.
but it seemed that they were treated with scant
attention. A remedy. nevertheless, remains
within their reach. They can. if they choose
make their wants known and felt at Wash
inpton through such food of petitions that
Congressmen cannot treat them with indffer-
ence.
No one has right to assume that Congress
will not listen. if really large body of voters
takes the trouble to make its wishes known
A few petitions may have no weight. But a
large number. especially If signed by working
men of both parties, will make Congressman
think There is especial reason at this time
for resorting to such mode Of expressing the
desires of voters Circumstances have changed
since Congressman were elected, and to work
ingmcn by the hundred thousand the change IS
furl of suffering and Of dread. SO great
revolution in the condition Of their industries
not one in a thousand of them expected. Some
had supposed that all talk of disaster to IN
dustries was only the old cry of Wolf" raised
for partisan purposes. Others had fully be-
lieved that no party would ever seriously pro-
nose. except in political platforms. the radical
reductions Of duty now contemplated. II IS
emincntly fitting that the woringmcn them
selves should inform Congressman that, in
voting for general reasons to intruSt power to
the Democratic party, they had no idea that
IFS success would result in tearing away the
foundation on which their industries rest.
The workngmen themselves also can speak
with knowledge and authority in regard TO the
present state of things and its cause. They
know by personal experience what most other
men only infer or have theories about. They
know that in thousands Of cases already. OK
pectation of repeal or a reduction OF duties
has turned the scale, and decided employers
or managers not to take further risks at pres
ont They know that thousands Of other shops
and factories are even now being run with
part force, or on part time, or only at reduced
wages. in order to keep the risk of loss as small
as possible until Congress shows its hand. All
nonsense about the influence OF other questions
is wasted on workingmen who find that several
hundred thousand are to-day out of work, and
several times as many are working part time
: or at reduced wages, expecting to see the shops
closed if Congress makes the proposed change
of the tariff.
The TRIBUNE recommends that this great
; army of workingmen, whether still employed
G or now ont of work send petitions TO Congress
; nroving their representatives to make no such
i, change in duties on imports as will close works
| in this country, or force permanent reduction
n of wages, through increasing the competition
e between their own and foreign products. 1t is
, not recommended that the petitions should con
y tain any political suggestion which may hinder
sincere Democratic voters from expressing then
u wishes. Nor would it be wise at this time tC
4 seek tor any set form of expression. The
i pettions will have all the more influence il
y each of many bodies Of workngmen sets forth
y lis wishes in its own way, governed by IL
&c especial experiences and needs, but uniting
- with Others in urging that the existing pro
% tective duties shall not be repealed so re-
h duced as to expose American labor 10 mon,
lie severe competition.
VI The sooner such petitions are forwarded tn,
better There ought to be many thousand o
Is them, each signed by worlyingmen OF boil
m parties, on the way to Washington within ;
u fortnight. If liz every shop and factory an,
70 mine, and in every village. the worllingmcl
ar themselves take the matter up quickly and d.