The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-04-20
AExr1LE. FEgDAT. APRIL 80.


In 1880 thu capital invested In manufac-
turing industries in New York city
amounted to si2O, %. Coz, while that IN
vested in Brooklyn vas SI2a. $40 ao2 In
these two cities, which are practically
one community, the total amount OF capt.
tai invested four years ago amounted TO
500. 5i2. 99T, every dollar OF which was con-
srsbu,ing to the prosperity Of the metrop-
oils and Its slater city. According TO the
census reports this amount OF capital
gave employment 20 almost half million
Of men and women. In New York alone
there were 35i. ISL persons employed in IN
dus,ries who viii be injuriously affected
and in brooklyn there were os,ss3 wage
workmen who will equally suffer.
According 20 the returns the wages paid
in 1880 10 the employees of factories in New
York and Brooklyn amounted TO total OF
g8ss. ai2,n54. Hero We have the enormous
snm OF nearly $50. 900 900 in wages that
the Wilson bill now before the senate pro-
poses to cut down by lowering the duty on
foreign manufactures to point where IL
ceases to protect home made goods against
foreign competition.
Turning once more TO the census OF 1900,
We find that tho manufactured products Of
New York and Brooklyn we're valued At
3223. 1884, Cos more than oil of our foreign
imports OF merchandise. which in 1880
amounted 10 $3.50. $40. 409.
New York city would suffer enor mously
n the Wilson bill becomes q law. as goods
can be landed In New York from European
ports cheaper than they can be shipped by
rail from New York to Buffalo.
In face Of such competition manufac-
turcrs will either have TO go out of bust
ness or make q big cut In wages. and the
100000 wage earners now employed in New
York and Brooklyn In manufacturing in
dustrics would be forced TO accept from
IS 10 50 per cent less for their labor than
they are nov receiving. David Is. Hill,
who In Samuel J. Randall Democratic
protcctionist, In his recent speech had
these facts and figures doubtless in mind
when he said that 1.-THE substitution of In.
ternal or direct taxes for custom house
taxation means the reduction of wages 10
the European standard. IL means the
degradation Of labor. Deny il or disguise
IL As We may. no other result is possible
under existing European conditions.
prefer taxing foreign products rather than
taxing home products"
Senator Hill declares with Jefferson and
the Fathers tha. indirect taxation is
preferable TO direct taxation OF any kind. "
lie points out that under sshs policy of In.
direct taxation industries have aug.
ncntei. manufactures have prospered.
worsingmen have found reinanerative EN-.
pioymens. labor has been properly shielded
from foreign composition and the hes,
aud highest interests OF the whole eoun.
try have been sabservsd. many of which
heneileers results would have been impos
sleie under any system of interna! OF ia.
rcet taxation"
Senator Hui has evidently real Jeffer
sou. while VOORHEES, has either never read
him or has fslstisd him. for in his in augu.
raj address of Marea l. 1900. jefferson lie
noaneea internal taxes aud direct taxa
slon. like the income tax. when he said:
'"fh. remaining revenue, on the con
sumption % foreign articles - paid chiefly
kv taose whe can afford 10 add forelxr
lHsnfses 70 domestic comforts BEING col
iected on our seaboari and frontiers only
and Incorporated xish the transactions o
cur mercantile citizens. il NAV lie his
pleasure and pride at an American TO ssl
what farmer. what mechanic. whst isborcl
ever sees tax esfherer VI the uaue,
States"