New-York tribune., 1900-03-19
COST OF DEMOCRACY TO LABOR.

There are signs that a portion of the wage
earners notwithstanding the general advance in
wages during the last year, in many lines 10
the highest ever paid in any other than depre-
ciated currency, are counting upon this PreSl-
dental year as good opportunity for creating
trouble between employers and employed III
order to help their personal interests or the
Democratic party. 1t seems an appropriate time
TO remind them, and all who really care for the
welfare of the working millions what results
followed the transfer of power to Democratic
hands in 1892. There is not a single industry of
which the history during the years of disaster
does not show how costly that change was TO
the people. The iron and steel industry was
perhaps better prepared than any other to meet
the trial owing TO the wonderful strides ii had
taken under the protective tariff of 1888. But
review of its progress in this country and Great
Britain, which appears in other columns to-
day, gives some conception of the tremendous
loss which was produced by Democratic threats
of tariff revolution and the measure which the
Democratic party was finally able to enact In
the diagram given the only four years OF the
last thirty in which the Democratic party has
been able TO pass any law, having control OF
the White House and of both houses of Con-
gress. are lightly shaded. That those years
were shaded not lightly in experience men in all
industries will remember.
The consumption of pig iron in the iron and
steel manufacture had risen in 1892 to BOB 1856
tons and decreased about 2.321 900 tons in the
next year. and in 1894 was 100000 tons smaller
than in 1892 The attempt 10 break down pro-
tective duties Oh iron products in large
mea sure defeated by the obstinate resistance of
Republicans in the Senate. and there followed
some months of bright but deceptive hopes. 1t
was soon found that the prostration OF other IN
dustries generally so far restricted the demand
for iron products that it could not resume the
remarkable expansion which had been in prog
ress nor could it continue beyond single half
year the heavy production caused by orders for
general repleniShment of stocks. The year 1896
followed with a consumption 1924 600 tons
smaller than in 1892 Roughly speaking, the
value of products realized from a consumption
of less than nine million tons Of pig iron, accord
ing TO the last census. was over S900.000000 Of
which about 45 per cent was expended for labor.
The decrease in consumption of iron during the
years of Democratic disaster represented idle
ness of men who would have earned, had
the prosperity Of 1892 continued. more than
$3.50, 600, 900, and the reduction in wages for
those still employed exceeded 5000 900, 600 more.
Thus the votes Of the people in 1892 threw away
for the iron workers alone nearly $500, 900, 900,
and for all wage earners many thousand
millions.
The workers in this country have TO pay the
cost of their various experiments in self govern
ment If they are prosperous beyond all past
experience, they were in 1892 and are again
now under the operation of National policies
which have made this Nation incomparably the
best earth for the working people and if
they nevertheless take notion to smash things
I'm order TO if they cannot do better the loss
of employment and Of wages takes from them
thousands Of millions for 4 single mistake Ii
does them not the least good after the blunder
has been made. to swear al the ignorant or self
seeking leadership which has brought them into
trouble II would be better worth while TO CON
slider before following such leadership what it
has ever done 10 make things better for any
body. In everything except government practi-
cal Americans will .put their faith only in that
which has been tried and proved worthy of
trust. But when they vote, part of these same
Americans cast their ballots for the party which