Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1895-09-27
NEW TARIFF WAGES.
A OoNTINUED ADVANCE UNDER THE
WILSON Law.

WILe0N Law.
Daily Proof That the Panic Aroused
Against the New Tariff by Caiam-
ity HowIers Was Without Reason
-Depcw's Prediction Rapidly Be-
Ing Itenlized.
Tho trade journals teem with &C.
counts of the continued advance in
the wages of labor and the rise in
prices of products, especially in the
textile and metal industries. Every
day, in fact, brings fresh proofs that
the panic created last year by the CO.
lamity howlors against the new tariff
was without reason, and had it's ORR
gin in mere partisan wnntonuess. In
Pittsburg, where the naturalized Hun
garians and Poles were turned out of
tho mills 10 tho last man to vote
against the wicked, wage-destroying
tariff" business is booming IN every
department of the iron and steel
manufactures. In the WOODEN indus
tries, which the Wilson net was alleged
to have doomed 10 destruction, tho
demand for raw materials is STEADILY
increasing and the prices of products
and the rates of wages advancing.
Whilst the protectionist predictions
of ruin to these industries by the re-
duction of duties have been disnp-
proved, the admission of wool to tho
free list has removed the chief obsta-
Gle to their prosperity. That which
was most fiercely assniled in tho new
tariff-free wool-constitute its
greatest achievement.
Over all tho cheering Improvement
in industrial conditions the calamity
howlers who lately made tho mir re-
vertebrate with their insensate lies
against tho new tariff are ns still as
carp i'll pool. Instead of breaking
forth in fresh lamentations over
Democratic wickedncss, tho Union
League sadly but silently contem-
plates tho changed situation. The
protectionists have constantly asserted
that tho higher wages in this country
were made by n high tariff, in
face of the fact that in the same in
dustries there is wider disparity in
the rates of wages in various parts Of
tho United States than among tho diff
ferent Nations of Europe. When
driven from tho false position that n
high tariff makes high wages, they
have taken refuge in tho
equally false plea that obstruc.
ton to imports secures cmploy-
ment for home labor by defeating for
eign competition. But this assertion
is overthrown by tho fact that the en-
hnnced cost of raw materials by pro-
tective duties seriously cripples the
power of production. In order to
meet competition American manu-
factories were obliged to reduce wages.
On tho other hand, free raw materials
facilitate production and enable the
manufacturers to pay better wages to
labor; and tho workingmen receive
part of what was formerly expended
in paying duties on these materials.
The advance of wages in the WOODEN
industries is signal triumph of tho
now tariff, and alono amply vindicntes
the policy of its supporters.
The Improvement in the condition
of the wool workers under the policy
of FREQ raw materials will mako not
only worbingmen, but manufacturers
in all other industries less susceptible
than ever before to high tariff plead
ings. Already leaders of industry in
NIL parts of tho country nre earnestly
protesting against further agitation of
the tariff; and their voices will be
needed. Although tho pnrtisans of
MckinleYism continue to make parade
of their purpose to renew tho tariff
Issue, their tono is decidedly weaken
ing under the pressure of events. The
attempt TO bring the tariff to tho fore
ground in order to evade the burning
question of the currency is doomed to
failure. Mr.. Chauncey NJ. Depew's
prediction that there will be an end
to tariff controversy for long time to
como is rapidly approaching its real
ization. No matter what party may
obtain control of tho Government in
1897, experience in tho meanwhile
promises to amply vindicate tho now
law with worklngmen and mauufac-
turers in all industries. AS the mar
kets for American industrial products
shall widen under tho stimulating in
fluence of free raw materials, and the
opportunities for remunerative en-
ployment increase, q reaction to high
tariff spolintion will be out of tho
question. Such defects in tho new law
rs time and experience shall reveal
may he safely left to the future action
of tho people. philadelphia Record.