The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-02-08

QucUlVe INDUSTRIES, Sucn as may
survive, can re-establish themselves
and have sure foundation for the
future, free from party pickering
and strife. Hence, also there can
be no foundation for that cry, so
insldiously raised, that this bill
should be passed at once, because
uncertainty is worse than any bill
can possibly be. Were this bill to
pass both branches to day, uncer-
tainty would reign Just the same. "
THE QUESTION OF WAGES.
Mr.. Reed spoke of the unexampled
prosperity of the United States
under Republican administrations,
and then, after quoting statistics
to show the great rise in wages in
1860, continued:
81 confess that the question of
wages is to me the vital question.
To insure our growth in clviliza-
ton and wealth we must not only
have wages as high as they are now,
but constantly and steadily increas-
ing. This desire of mine for con-
stantly increasing wages does not
have its origin in love for the indi-
vidual, but in love for the nation.
The orators of the other side say
they are going it to maintain wages.
How can that be possible? All
things sell at the cost Of produc-
ton. If the difference between
cost of production here and cost of
production in England oe not
equalized by the duty, then our cost
of produc ion must 60 down or we
must 90 out. Our laws have invited
money and men and We have grown
great and rich thereby. TO sum it
up, if this protection gives US money
and men, and our vast country
needs both, it may show why we
have so wonderfully prospered. If
it does | am inclined to think that
the way to have two jobs hunting
one man is to keep on making new
mills and try to prevent the COM
mittee on Ways and Means from
pulling down old ones.
HOW IT AFFECTS FARMERS.
"BGt what do you say about the
farmer? Well, on that subject, |
do not profess any special learning,
but there is one simple statement |
wish to make and leave the question
there. If, with cities growing up
like magic, manufacturing villages
dotting every eligible site, each and
all swarming with mouths to be
filled, the producers of food are
worse off than when half this coun-
try was desert. | abandon sense
in favor of political economy. If
the hope of agriculturists is in
English Free Trade they had better
ponder on the fact that while the
wages of artisans have increased in
England 81. 43 per week since 1850,
the wages Of agricultural laborers
have only increased Y cents, and
while the Lancashire operatives in
the factories live as well as ANYBODY,
except Americans, the agricultural
laborers are hardly better off than
the continental peasantry. Eng
lands example will not do for
agriculture.
''We are charged with having
claimed that the tariff alone will
raise wages. We have never made
such claim in any such form.
Free Traders have set up the claim
for US in order to triumphantly
knock 1t over. What we do say is
that where two nations have equal
skill and equal appliances. and a
market nearly equal so, and one of
them can hire labor at one half
less, nothing but a tariff can main
tain the higher wages, and that we
can prove. We are the only rival
that England fears. for we alone
have IN our borders the population
and the wages, the raw material,
and within ourselves the great
market which insures to us the
most improved machinery. If you
wish US to follow the example of
England, [ say yes, with all my
heart, but her real example and
nothing less. Let US keep protec-
ton as she did, until no rival dares
to invade our territory, and then we
may take our chances for a future,
which, by that time, will not be un-
known"
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.
In concluding his speech, Mr..
Reed said: "Nobody knows so well
as | do how much | have failed to
present, even of my own compre-
henson, the great argument which
should control this vote. | have
said not word of the great fall of
prices which has always come from
the competition of the whole world.
| have said not word of the great
difference between the attitude of
employees who find their own work
tbair hast N tboip