The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-01
THE THREAT OF THE NEW ENGLAND
MANUFACITREKS

The statement which IS sent out from
Boston. as the result OF a canvass among
the textile manufacturers Of New Eng
land. New York. New Jersey. and Penn
syvania, has so much the aroma OF a
protective tariff document that one feels
a strong disposition to be a little wanting
in sympathy for the poor Government
which Is being swindlcd by the substitu-
ton Of the ad valorem for the specific
duty. and is soon TO be bankruptod for
want Of the revenues that the old pro-
tective duties brought II. ones ten
dency to this hard-hoartedness is in
creased also when nc calls to mind that
tIe Secretary of the Treasury declares
himself entirely satisfied with the reve-
nue. receipts. and that. although there
may be some shortage for the year in
the revenues. as compared with the ex-
penditures, that shortage will arise from
the loss Of what was expected from
the income tax, and not from any falling
off in what was expected from the tax
on imports.
The appeal OF the manufacturers in
behalf Of the poor Government will very
probably fail therefore TO evoke the
tears from the people at large that all OF
those manufacturers so profusty shed
for il. But. as they have not limited
their appeal for pity to the crying needs
of the Government. but have slyly slipped
in a word in their own behalf also. it is
f~~f,. f.f haH Ha
looked into likewise.
They tell us that it is now IAN every
day experience IN al the commercial
cities that foreign fabrics are offered at
prices which could not be net here even
with all profits sacrificed and wages cut
% per cent below the prcsent~average.
This is a very noteworthy statement in
deed. and is entitled 10 the most delib-
crate consideration. The plain intima-
ton of this statement Is that for the tex
tile manufacturers Of New England, New
York. New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, to
continue to do BUSINESS under the op-
Grafton OF the new tariff law, they must
reduce the wages of their employees more
than p per cent. In other words. it is
a sort of threat 10 the American people
that they are going to cut the wages Of
their employees down more than . per
cent. unless the American people con
sent to re-esiablish old duties at some
thing like what they were.
The last census places the number of
all persons employed IN mechanical and
manufacturing Industries in the New
England States and I'm New York New
Jersey. and Pennsylvania, at 2,e5Sls6.
This is a good. large body OF people, but
1t bears. If you allow a family of 1--WE
TO each one. but small ratio TO ;he
100000 OF people I'm the United States.
/, Is not very easy TO pick out Of them
those who are to be considered as en-
gagged in textile manufactures" but al
lowing the most liberal construction pos
sible to those words. it would be a very
large estimate TO say that 20 per cent.
of them were so engaged. This would
give us something ike $4,000 engaged in
textile manufactures" in the states
named. We mentioned yesterday that
all ladies' dress goods have come down
enormously in price. as any one can
ascertain for himself by visiting any of
our goods stores. and comparing pres
ent prices with those OF three years
pack. The summer wash-goods so much
worn by ladies' now-not ginghams but
enough like ginghams TO be hardly dis
tfnguishable- sold three years ago
for 80 cents yard. sell now for II l-2
cents yard. Silks that sold three
years hack for dollar and for 80 cents
a yard, sell now for 90 80, and > cents
yard, This brings JOY to the heart
of every man in the United states who
has family. excluding, OF course those
who manufacture the goods. Are all
the rest OF the 100000 OF people in the
United States to have to go back TO
paying 90 cents a yard for their wives
and daughters dresses. that they now
buy for 12l-2 cents yard. that 81. 90
persons may have the wages tney re-
ceived three years ago? We do not be-
lieye the American people will ever con-
sent 10 do this. even II the threatened
cut takes place.
IL the Democratic party had held on 10
sound money, discarding free silver and
the Populistic income tax. and declaring
70 the people that It intended to repeal