The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-09-12

ASSUMING that protective tariff benefits
a certain class of laborers by giving them
greater sum of money in return for their
work "a proposition never yet sustained by
high tariff apologists), the question would
then turn to the number of people thus ben
Gifted, and the effect upon the country as
whole.
1t has been proven over and over, again
and again, that the proprietors do NOT give
their employees the benefit OF these duties,
but in almost every instance pocket the add
ed profit, in utter disregard of their profes-
sions and promises But assuming that the
fact was in reverse of this statement, it then
becomes essential to inquire what number or
proportion of the great army of producers
realize these advantages. By carefully COM
piled statistics, it is known that less than
per cent. of the people of the United States
engaged in gainful occupations are subject
to foreign competition, the remaining 90 per
cent. being in no event subject to the opera
ton of protective tariff. Granting that the
first mentioned class receive somewhat larger
wages than they would under lower tariff
or free trade, it follows that the price
of the goods they produce will be cores
pondingly advanced when placed on the
market. This being true, it cannot be other
wise than that 95 per cent. of the American
laborers are taxed to keep up high wage
rate to a favored few in the circle of labor.
1t is taxing the mass of workers for the ben
eft of privileged few of their own class.
It needs no argument to demonstrate to a
clear understanding the absolute wrong and
injustice of such theory. 1t is like paying
100 men $1.O0 per day for their labor and
paying privileged favorite of no greater
ability or capacity, $500 for the same labor.
Glass legislation is always iniquitous and
vicious in its operation, whether discrimlna-
ting between labor and labor or capital and
capital, or labor and capital. So that the
justification" SO loudly proclaimed by the
Republican press for their "peculiar insti-
tutor" j" is in reality its strongest condemna-
ton.
But when it is reflected that labor receives
almost no part of these tariff profits, how
much more baneful to the body polite does
such system become. Instead OF 20 per
cent. of the producers paying tax tribute
for the combined emolument of per cent.
of their fellow-laborers and their wealthy
EMPLOYERS, it resolves itself to 100 per cent
of the toilers yielding up millions of dollars
annually for the exclusive benefit OF class
that is waxing fatter and becoming more ar
rogant with increased riches.
The reaction of the artificial trade stimu-
lus devised largely as war measure, has
come with appalling weight on the American
people, who are today reaping exactly what
they sowed by continuing the Republican
party and its unnatural system OF economics
in power. ,.o.+ ~, i. stob1e
basis. to insure its uninterrupted prosperity.
"Eoual rights to all, and special privileges
to none" cannot be too often sounded in the
ears of the American people. 1t is the NOR
al justification for free trade, as the laws OF
nature are its physical vindication.
With a tariff policy inaugurated that will
tnrn the Government about face in this
branch of its Legislative functions toward the
tariff of Garfield, "that will lead to ultimate
free trade" the country will soon learn to
appreciate the magnitude of the service rem
dered by the Democratic party.
To turn people from social destruction is
glory enough for one Administration.
The days of protection" are numbered,
and triumphant Democracy will reap the
reward of a contiued lease of power in 1896.