The Topeka state journal., 1899-09-14


a permanent character
American vEorkmen have much to do
with our ability to export, because al
though they receive on an average
more than double the wages per day
they turn out nearly double the work
and adapt themselves to conditions for
eign Workmen will not. They have
never opposed the introduction of mod
ern methods or Iabor-saving devices.
as they do abroad Their work is light
as a consequence, but above all their
characteristic energy, adaptability,
esprit de corps. ingenuity and oppor-
tunity to advance have advanced Amer
can manufacture and made it possible
to export They are not mere machines,
but men who think Many of our best
inventions and Improvements come
from Workmen in humble employment
Our only drawback is shipping facil-
ties. We have protected and fostered
our industries, but we have neglected
our shipping. Today our exports are
carried in foreign ships and we are
paying S1S0,000, 600 each year to foreign
ship owners. This is a reflection on
our craftsmanship. It ought not to be.
Our ocean freight should be carried in
American ships. If the circumstances
do not justify the construction of
American ships in American docks
congress should by subsidy or other
wise make it an inducement to capital
to embark in this enterprise. Our flag
should be more often seen flying from
the mast of ocean ships and our nation
should appear abroad what it really
is at home"
Mayor Ashbridge accepted the ex-
position from the governor and then
Congressman w P Hepburn of Iowa,
chairman of the congressional commit
tee on interstate and foreign commerce
delivered the grafton of the day. He
MR. HEPBURN'S SPEECH
a government in which the political
power is in the hands of its citizens de-
rives its right to endure from the con-
6lT fF1e farffT IL,
true in our government. Our institu-
tions. our social order, our recognition
of property rights can only endure so
long az the people who possess pOIiti-
vOte-are contented with them When
ever large majority become dissatis.
fed with them and desire a change, a
change will be effected.
.'AH assaults upon nations money.
propositions to debase it, to cheaper IL
in any way, to make it unduIy redun-
dant have their first impulse in a dis
content that demands proper adjust
ments. So long as the homes of the
IabOring masses are homes of content
ment our people will regard their gov
ernment with all of its institutions as
the best on earth
There are nineteen millions of people
in the United States who labor who
earn wages, who aid in creating wealth.
Fifteen millions of this number possess
the entire pOlitica1 power of the nation.
The perpetuity Of this government is
dependent upon keeping this great
army of IabOrers employed and being
employed, content
The preservation of this labor field.
a labor field in which every man can
have place to work, have a salts
factory wage and to so enlarge this
labor field from year to year as to make
places for the additional millions of
men, women and youth who are seek
ing places in it. is the greatest prob
lem that we must solve
The demands of agriculture Mr.
Hepburn said,would not enlarge the ma
tion's labor field to any extent owing
70 the use of improved machinery
which diminishes the aggregate of hu-
man labor on the farm. To manufac-
ture and commerce, he asserted the
people must look for increased employ
ment. Even this field, said the spea ker
is limited owing to the Introduction of
inventions, but most especially because
of the want of markets Unlimited
markets. he declare, will solve all the
questions of labor and wages which
may confront the country.
We are selling many millions worth
of manufactures abroad. more than we
buy" he continued, but to keen our
people employed We must do more And
again, I say that the necessity to
keep them 50 employed is the great
question before US and that it can only
be solved by securing our full share of
trade in the markets of the world And
in efforts to secure them we must meet
and overcome the fiercest rivalry of the
great nations. These nations are now
engaged in struggle as bitter and as
remorseless as any that have ever en-
gagged the martial spirit of men
This reaching out for more and more
Of trade and commerce finds its impulse
in the desire, the imperative necessity
of keeping employed the masses at
home
we have met here today to inaug-
urate what 1 believe will be one of the
most important OF aids to the American
manufacturer and trader in capturing
our share of commerce of the world
w nat modern arms are what a battle
ship is in martial contests. this export
exposition that is opened today is to
be to US in our efforts to secure our
share of foreign commerce It
might be called a university of COM
merce.
The government of PHILADELPHIA.
the government of PENNSYLVANIA the
government of the United States are in
full sympathy with the purpose of the
projectors of this export exposition. All
who are thoughtful and have knowledge
see in prophecy the splendid pOssibili-
ties that should come from the work
of its founders It founders have done
their duty nObly and Well both in con-
ceptIon and execution; and they stand
before you today in their turn, chaI-
longing the people of the whole country
to performance of their duty in ex-
tending our national commerce.
The benediction was pronounced by
Archbishop Ryan Of this city and at
its conclusion President AIcKinIev's
message was read and the national ex-
port exposition became a fact
At the conclusion of the exercises the
was thrown open to the
spected the buildings, grounds and ex-
hibits