The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-07-20
COPPER MINING INDUSTRY
Another GIaring Instance Of Free
Trade MaIignity."
Logic of Events Oisproves the Pro-
Wages of Copper Workers
Advanced Ten Per Cent
Predictions VS.. Results.
Among the announcements relating

Among the announcements relating
to tho revival of industrial prosperity,
says the Philadelphia Record. is tho
copper mining i'll that state was mover
i'll more prosperous condition. In con-
tirmation Of this is the further announce
ment that the great Calumet aud Hecla
Copper Mining company following the
example of the iron manufacturers. has
added 10 per cent TO the wages Of its
$500 employees. These statements are
i'll cheerful contrast with tho bowls of
calamity organs ever the balcful influ
ence of the now tariff upon the copper
mining industry.
When, i'll 1888, tho Mills bill proposed
to reduce the duty on copper in ingots
and bars from 4 to . cents pound, ter
rifle shriels of alarm arose from the cop
per mine owners, and the tariff organs
printed chart in which the copper re-
gion Of Michigan was dnrkly shaded rs
sign of the ruin that Sreatened its in
habitants. Curiously enough, there was
not quite 40 much alarm two &ears aft
erward, when the Mckinley tariff actu-
ally reduced tho duty ON copper to -,
cents pound. When the Democrats re-
duee duty, it is free trade hut when
the Republicans reduce the same duty
still more it is quite different thing
This is in harmony with the doctrine
that the revision of the tariff should be
left only to its friends. Great Republic
an organs that Indignantly denounced
the reduction Of copper duties IN tho
Mills bill took quite kindly to greater
reduction in the Mckinley net.
But all former outcrieS concerning tho
attacks of free trade Democracy upon
the copper industry We're gentle COM
pared with the howls of calamity that
arose when the Wilson tariff put copper
lngots and bars on the free list. The
black charts of the copper region Of
Michigan were reproduced, and this ex-
hibitiou of free trade malignity toward
all American industry was denounced
by the tariff organs us without the least
provecation. The Hon Julius Caesar
Burrows, then representative and now
United States senator from Michigan,
lnsnbriously predicted that the abroga-
ton of tho slight protective duties on
>otp't 'ctt'a ilh-SS WORK
ing OF the mines impossible But tho re-
suits have again disgraced the prcdic-
tions Of the false prophets of protection.
Their croalsings of calamity have not
died upon the mir until, within niue
months from the removal of conner to
the free list, the announcement comes
nom Michigan that the copper industry
was never Ill more tlourishing coudi-
non This may we'll be believed upon
reference to the enormous dividends of
the copper mining companies. The cop
per miners, who export enormous guam
Titles OF their product had not the least
need Of protection, ard the duties
We're maintained by the Republicans to
enable the mine owners and smelling
companies the more easily to despoil
American consumers.
Nothing is so embarrassing to tho
teachers of false doctrines of economy
as the hard, lnexorable logic of events.
Last fall the organs aud orators of pro.
lection filled the public ear with their
dismal predictions of the fatal effects of
the new tariff, and with the most reck
less misrepresentation of its provisions.
They have scarcely been abashed into ST.
lence by the gladstone revival OF all in.
dustries III the midst of their croakings.
The popular memory is proverbially
treacherous, hut it will be long before
the American people shall forget the
systematic practice upon their credulity
Tor the sake of maintaining against them
policy of tariff spoliation and iniquity.
New York Is Democratic