The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-02-01

does not afford it. and on the other side
they believe that while it looks toward
free trade, il does not accomplish it'll
"Ihose who VIII vote against this bin
VIII do 50 because il opens our markets
to the destructive competition Of foreign
ers. ana those who vote for it DO il with
reservation that they viii instantly de-
vote themselves TO q new crusade against
whatever barriers are left
"N hatever speeches have been made
in defense Of the bill on the other side,
whether by gentlemen who were respon-
EIble only to their own constituencies, or
by the gentleman from West Virginia.
who ought to have been steadied by his
sense of res pCnsi bilIty to the whole coun-
thy. have one and aIl with but rare ex-
cepti0ns, placed their authors unc0m-
promisinglv, except for temporary pur-
poses, On tile side 0f unrestricted free
trade
sit IS evident that there is no ground
for that hope entertained by so many
moderate men, that this Dill, bad as lit IS,
could be a resting place where our man
ufacturing and productive industries
such ais may survive, can re-establish
themselves and have sure foundation
for the future free from party pickering
and party strife Hence, also, there can
be no foundation for that cry, So inside
ousLy raised, that this bin should be
passed at once, because uncertainty is
worse than any bill can possibly be.
Were this bill to pass both branches to-
day. uncertainty would reign just the
same.
our Growth ana Prosperity.
$50 utterly undisputed and So distinct
ly visible 10 every human being in this
audience has been its growth and prog
ress, that whatever the future industrial
system of this country may be, the past
system is a splendid monument to that
series of successful statesmen who found
the country bankrupt and distracted and
left il first on the list of nations
dr. Reed here quoted at length from
English authorities showing the strength
Of their confidence in the prosperity Of
this country "These quotations also are
reminders for YOU. Dir. Speaker. and all
who hear me know that the American
who has been long enough here to know
his opportunities, has found the best
place for wages TIA the world. is there
amy example in the history Of the world
Of any nation situated like ours which has
taken the step to which we are invitedS
some gentlemen. perhaps, are Fastening
SO say that England affords us the needed
example; 1hat we have but to turn to her
history and lind all that we need by way
81 examples. gust as in the statements of
her political economists. we shall ind
hll that is necessary for advice. for guild
hnce and instruction. MIR. Speaker
have looked there and A 'm amazed to find
now little -he example Of England can
After quoting statistics to show the great
rise 70 wages since 1860, Mr.. Reed con
tinued. ~Ihe truth is that this very
question Of raising wages is what makes
q good many men free traders. People
with fixed incomes think that ANYTHING
which raises wages is inimicaI to them.
and manufacturers who have foreign
markets are naturally anxious to have
wages on ha foreign standard
yyaeea a Vzsal Question.
sI confess to you that this question of
wages IS To me. the vital question. To
insure our growth i'm civilization and
wealth, we must not only have wages as
high as they are now, but constantly and
steadily increasing. This desire Of mine
for constantly increasing wages does not
have its origin in love for the Individual.
but lib the love for the nation"
Alr. Reed eulogized the American mar
ket AS being the best in the world, owing
tU the high wages paid here. enabling
u-orAmen to purchase largely Of the com
S9Ets of lie. s.1nsLead Of increasing this