The People's friend., 1894-08-17
a SHAMEFUL SHOWING.
The Disastrous Results of Democratic
MlSmanagement.

The Disastrous Results of Democratic
Mlsmanagement.
LET us have peacel" is now the fer
vent cry of business The same prayer
comes from the west and east, from
the homes Of millions of wage-earners
and from the offices of half million
manufacturers and as many merchants.
The rich and the poor join in one
PRAYER: LET tariff war end and let us
have peace" Then may the wheels
start again, and idle hands find work,
and plenty come in place of want to
millions of homes. Surely congress-
men cannot be aware how much their
weary strife over this question has
cost the people. In the one month OF
july the difference between this year
and last in payments for products and
for labor will be about $1,000, 600, 900.
But this is the fourteenth month OF |
continued and sore depression. In
these fourteen months the actual pay
ments through all clearing houses
have been $50, 500, 100000, and in the
preceding fourteen months the aggre-
gate was S72, 900, 900, ,O00-a decrease of
S19,4OO, 900, 900. The business done in
cludes profits for traders and manu-
facturers, for transporters, farmers,
miners and lumbermen, and wages for
all the hands they employ. The enor-
nous loss represents decrease in wages
and work and profits for all concerned
more than 26 per cent of the entire
business for the fourteen months.
The wage-earners, or rather those
~ if tha demo-
cratic party would let US have peace.
being 35 per cent. Of the people, num-
Der "a, 100000. The wages at the rate
Of 1890, reckoning about third at the
farming and the rest at the average
rate for all manufacturing hands ac-
cording to the census, were $500 year
ly for each. But instead Of $4,000, OOO,-
900, these people are probably earning
at the rate Of S2 400, 100000 less, part
being unemployed and part working
at lower rates. The great iron indus
try, which should employ in all It's
branches 600, 900 men, as it did in 1890,
with a yearly production of S1,2O0, OOO,-
600, instead Of full consumption of
$500, 900 tons of pig actually consumed
in the last twelve months about $780,
OOO-less than 55 per cent-whlch
would imply a decrease OF 27o,ooo
hands, and $40, 100000 in value OF
yearly product provided prices had
been unchanged. But prices Of iron
products have been reduced at least SO
Der cent, or nearly 100000, 900 on the
reduced output. The textile manufac-
lures, employing half million per
sons, have reduced hands and output
somewhat less, and yet very largely.
In many other industries the mere loss
in value Of products must be reckoned
by hundreds Of millions.
Do democrats mean to say that the
friphtful losses result from the pres
ent tariff, and not from their attempt
to change it? Very well, give us peace
and let US test it. Let the country
have chance to find out whether the
claim is false or not Stop agitation
until next January, and see whether
industries will not revive and business
inanraze under the tariff -as It stands:
instant and full recovery could not
he expected, Of course. Complete re-
covery with the threat Of change still
hanging over industries could not be
reasonably expected Yet the demo
Gratis dare not face the test. They
dare not let the working people anc
the business men Of this country see
how sudden and great relief would
come if democratic agitation woul(
but take itself out Of the way, ever
for few months only.
They do not dare, or they would have
tried it long ago. 1t is almost yea
since this congress met in extra ses
sion. Before that it's chosen leader
and treasurer and other experts ha'
been at work for some months trylnt
to frame a tariff bill. After NOR
than a year Of incessant labor and agl
tation and shameful humiliation tn
nartv is disgusted to find that 1t can
not agree upon or pass anything ina
looks like democratic tariff. 1t
wranrles, it's amazing corruption an
shameless bartering, its contemptuou
disregard Of public opinion, OF decor
cv. Of pledges and of principles, mad
its respectable leaders long Tor an aC
iournment months ago-only they dl
not dare to let the people see what IN
malipned Mckinley bill would do tc
their industries if they let 1T alone
Rut think once more, democrat
friends. Would it not pay better
let the people have little taste
nrosnerity before the next presldel
tial election?-N. Y. Tribune