The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1894-10-05

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every person in the community, as it
gives in unmistakable terms some of
the results of republican administra-
ton:
DECLINE IN FOOD PRICES.
When the American Grocer publish
ed in its last issue table showing the
decline of food prices since 1859, the
supposition was that republican papers
would either deny the accuracy of the
fgures-under McKinley's leadership
republicans never hesitate TO contest
we'll known economic iacts-or would
be silent.
1t is commentary on the absence OF
guiding principle in republican councils
that the organs of that party have used
the figures to prove two inconsistent
propositions. Some OF them say that
the fall in agricultural prices shows
how republican ascendency has blessed
the workingman by afording him
cheaper living. Others say that the
prevailing low prices of farm products
are the result of democratic admins
tration.
Now farm prices are a two-edged
sword in republican hands. and aboth
edges cut into republican pretenses.
According to the Grocer's table, -four
was Sc. so barrel in 1859 and is $3.50
now; mess beef $11.41 a barrel in 1869
and S.19 now; lard 1St cents in 1859
and II cents now. Canned goods and
vegetables have fallen go per cent.
The republicans who mention these
prices confess at once that their pro-
tective laws have done nothing at all
for the farmer in % years.
They further confess that low prices
of food products are advantages to the
workingmen of the towns. How can
they deny that low prices for factory
goods are advantageous to both farmer
and Workingman?
They further confess that their doc
trine OF raising wages by protection is
an ignominious fraud. There are at
least seven times as many unprotected
farmers as there are so.called protected
workingmen in protected industries.
Excluding the female and child labor
in protected Industries, there are 10
times as many unprotected farmers as
there are so-called protected working
men. The conditions of life on the
farms must certainly have 10 times as
much effect on the labor market as the
conditions in factory towns. If there
is TO be drawn from the Grocer fig
ures any conclusion as to the effect of
25 years OF economic legislation,it must
certainly be that the farmer has been
injured and that the strength of the
wage earner's position has been seri-
ously impaired.
If cheap coat makes cheap man
a cheap barrel Of flour must cheaper
manhood. Farmers and Workingmen
alike can point to Il Grocer's table
and ask the republican party: lis this
your work? If so, explain yourself"
Apart from all republican economic
falsehoods, c1eap food Is blessing to
the man who consumes it. Whether
it is blessing to the man who pro-
duces it depends on how much is his !
cost of production.
Thanks to the cheap lands and the
industry OF the unprotected farmer,
the American people have obtained
their food at the cheapest rates in the
world and know nothing of the problem
OF starvation.
But why should not the American
people also have cheap coats, blankets,
utensils, tools and implements?
While all prices have fallen, the
cost of production has fallen most in
manufactures. Except in the items
of transportation and packing house
methods, the cost Of supplying farm
products has not fallen in any great |
degree since 1869. The cost OF supply |
ing manufactured goods has fallen |
marvelously. 1t costs the farmer nesr
ly as much to raise wheat and corn.
His chief gain is in more accessible
markets. In other words, what is
co livalent TO greater freedom of trade
is nearly all he has gained since 1859. |
In manufactures, on the other
hand, inventions have supplanted labor
until the average cost of production is |
probably scarcely % per cent. of the
cost 20 years ago. Not all OF that say
ing has gone in profits to the manufac-
6urer, because unWise laws, which he |
clamored and paid for, have really
limited bis markets SO that he is FIRE
IuentlY troubled with over production
But large part has gone into his
profits. Carnegie's 81, 800 day is one
example. The so per cent. annual
dividend Of the Arlington mills is an
other.
In quoting the Grocer's table the
republicans admit the whole democratic
contention on the tariff. Food pro-
ducts have gone down until the neces-
sary articles on the dinner table are an
insignificant pant of living expenses.
How about clothing, carpets, utensils,
tools and implements? Why have
they NJ gone down equally and helped