The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-03-17
DEMOCRACY AaaAleNso.

One hundred prominent business
men OF Philadelphia have united in
the organization Of the Pennsylvania
Protective Union In support Of one
Of the Republican candidates for the
United States Senate. That IA an un-
important detail compared to what
they stand for In defense OF the Re-
publican principle of a protective
tarin as against the ineffective and de-
structive Underwood bill. whose ad-
vocates promised so much for Il
which Il has unfulfilled. The address
issued by the Union Is so rich in COM
prehensive statements OF the condi-
lions brought about by the Democrat
&c tariff law maintained by the Intel
ligencer that we quote from II LIBERAL
iy in corroboration OF the views here
tofore expressed by this paper.
II starts out by regarding the
present as one OF the critical periods
IN American history. perhaps not less
SO than the epoch which was marked
by the birth OF the Republican party,
the death OF slavery and the emanci-
patton of American industry from the
baneful influence OF world COMPETE
ton. with its tendency TO degenerate
the wage standards OF all people to
the level OF the wage standards of
the lowest peoples. The address
then declares:
The great constructive rollcy or pro-
lection IL hanging in the balance. The
entering wedge OF free trade has already
been driven into our economic system by
the so-called Underwood tariff law which
has compelled all industries, with the
exception of favored few in the Demo.
cratic South. 10 face competition from
the cheap labor markets OF Europe and
Asia previously held at bay by the bull
IF We believed that American busr-
ness could soon or ultimately adjust IT.
sell 10 foreign prices and practices
without losing every advantage Il now
Possesses. prudence and self interest
would dictate that we should bear with
minor evils In the hope OF preservinE
convinced that no such adjustment Is
possible. We feel that the Democratic
party has been false and unfair in Its
Treatment OF the wage Garner II has
endeavored to make him think that the
amount OF an employers protits has nc
lay Tor labor. IL has assumed To prove
that capital will be as active with 4
prospect OF poor dividends or no dfvf-
dend as IL has been with n prospect OF
adequate reward for Industrial enter.
prise and business risk.
"A proposition to bring down prices
and wages together might be defended
upon the ground that the world stand
ards OF value In commodities and labor
are the natural standards; but n propo
sition to bring down prices without al.
fecting wages Is preposterous fraud.
With regard to the great benefits
that we were told would accrue under
the provisions of the Underwood tar
If the Union maintains that although
It has been gradually going into CT
feet since October 3. none of then
have materialized so far On the con
trary. IL has worked ito disorganizs
the markets of the manufacturer and
has exposed the farmer to virtually
unrestricted world competition, low
ering the prices he receives for his
products without removing a penn;
paid by the consumer" II also de
clares that the first symptoms OF gen
eral business paralysis are TO be found
in the Affections II has brought upor
all other forms OF industry in "theil
uncertainty. doubt and unwillingnes,
10 attempt any line Of development.