The Columbian. (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, August 26, 1892, Image 6

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    SOME TARIFF FACTS.
PROTECTION 13 A DELUSION AND A
SNARE FOR WORKINGMEN.
The Titrlff 1 Umiilnalljr for Uwi HcimfU
of Employee of MnnufiKtiirer, but In
BHty Only tli Km ploy em Are Helped
by It Tha Facta of the Ctwo.
The labor troubles at Howes tcaiPhnve
started a lively di9onwkm between pro
tectionists and tariff reformers as to
whether the tariff bad anything to do
with those disturbances. The protec
tionists point to the fact that labor trou
bles and strikes occnr In free trade Eng
land as frequently as in protectionist
America, and that therefore it cnnftot
be said that the tariff is their cause and
Dree trade the remedy. This is unques
tionably correct' Bnt In ons very im
portant respect the answer is not suffi
cient. One of the main arguments con
stantly and vociferously urged in favor
of high protective duties is that they are
not only to aid the manufacturer in
making industrial production profitable,
but that the tariff is especially intended
to ameliorate the condition of the Ameri
can workmen beyond anything hitherto
known.
It is to secure to him constant em
ployment and high and steady wages; it
ia to enable him to own his house and
lot, to have the comforts of a home and
considerable amount of the enjoy
ments of civilized society; it is to insure
aim, unless he be very imprudent,
against want and care in bis old age; it
to, in short, to secure to him conditions
of life with which he would havo every
reason to be content Such promises
have been and are poured into the airs
of workingmen, especially at election
times, when the labor vote is wanted
tor the protectionist party.
A large portion of the labor vote has
actually been won in that way for tho
high tariff policy, and it is by no means
surprising that the workingmen should
have taken the representations made to
them seriously. According to what
they have been told, they have reason to
believe that the tariff laws were tnade
specially for their benefit; that in the
matter of employment and wages the
American workingmen are to be much
loss dependent upon tho state of the
labor market and upon the vicissitudes
of business than workingmen in free
trade countries are; that they may
claim a share in the profits made by the
establishment in which they are em
ployed with a better right and to a
larger extent than can be claimed by
workingmen not protected by a tariff ;
that they will be taken excellent care of
somehow, whether by their omployers
or by the power that made the tariff
law. It is easy to see what notions of
right and what expectations of benefit
may thus be encouraged in the minds
of the credulous, and how those minds
are thus prepared for the exciting ap
peals of the agitator.
But the tariff laws say nothing about
wages or continuity of employment
The fulfillment of the promises mode by
the protectionists in behalf of the tariff
ia not provided for in the statute. That
fulfillment is left to tho most immediate
beneficiaries of the protective system
the manufacturers. There may be
manufacturers who run their establish
ments as benevolent institutions, and
who think first of their workingmen and
last of themselves; but it is not in hn
man nature that there should be many
of this kind. Most manufacturers will
manage their business on ordinary busi
ness principles. They will have a keen
eye to their own profits. If managers
of stock companies, they will consider it
a matter of justice as well as of pride to
secure large dividends to the sharehold
ers. They will ordinarily pay to the
worldngman not as much as they
might, but as much as they must, or, to
express it less harshly, although their
profits might allow it they are not likely
ia the payment of wages to go much be
yond the market rate, and whenever
profits are endangered by unfavorable
circumstances they will resort to what
ever may serve to prevent a deficiency
reduction of wages among other
things.
The workingman, who is not an un
reasonable being, will submit to a re
duction of his wages when he sees the
necessity of it. But he will be the more
unwilling to admit such a necessity un
der any circumstances tho more reason
he has been given to look upon himself
as at least one of the intended bene
ficiaries of the lavjg which havo done so
much to make, his employer rich. He
will be rather inclined to argue that
under these laws he had hardly had the
full share of the benefit that was prosn
ised to him, and that somebody elsso had
unlawfully made off with a large por
tion of what was the workingman's duo.
And if upon this view of the cae the
laboring man works out for himself a
theory of rights far beyond this, wo
must not be altogether astonished to
find that the tariff, with all those prom
ises with which it has been commended
to the favor of the workingman, has be
come one of the most effective propa
gators of socialistic ideas.
The workingmen will gradually open
their eyes to the fact that those fuir
speeches have most cruelly deceived
them. They have only to look at the
rates of wages in tho different countries
of the world to satisfy themselves thut
high wages are not caused by a high
protective tariff, and that low wages are
not caused by the absence of a high
tariff. Wo ere constantly told, when
comparing American wages with Eng
lish wages, that wages in the United
States are much higher than wages in
England because we are blessed with a
protective system, while England is uot.
Bnt it is a notorious fact that wages in
free trade England ruuge much higher
than wages in Germany and in other
European countries blc3sod with a pro
tective tariff. Now if in one high tariff
country wagss are higher than in one
free trade country, and if at the same
time wagos in that free trade conntrv
are higher han in several high tariff
ountnos, then it cannot possibly be that
the high tariff makes a high rate of
wages and the ntoence of the tariff a
low o!ie.
If the workingman pursues his in
quiries further he will find that during
that famous period when the United
States had a low tariff, from 1846 to
ISfil, wagos here were as much higher
as those in any European country as
they are now, and Unit during that low
tnriff period thoy wore steadily rising.
Ho will find that wages fn this country
have always been higher than European
wages, not on account of any tariff, but
on account of the circumstances sur
rounding us the " large quantity of
cheap, fertile and easily accessible land;
the almost inexhaustible abundance and
variety of natural resources inviting en
terprise; tho numberless opportunities
for fruitful activity; the exceptional en
ergy and productiveness of labor in this
country and so on.
He will find that the wages of persons
engaged in such labor as Is not protected
by any tariff at all, such as employees of
transport&tiou companies, honse serv
ants, bricklayors, carpenters, bakers,
longshoremen, plasterers and many
others, are among the highest, compared
with corresponding wages in Europe.
Finally Ire will find that employment
and wages are u dependent on the labor
market and the state of business in high
tariff America as in free trade England,
and no less; tliat labor organizations
have as much influence upon such things
here as in England, and no more, and
that tho promises with which the pro
tective policy is commended to tho favor
of the laboring men cannot possibly be
fulfilled by any tariff law, and are there
fore a delusion and a snare. Harper's
Weekly.
Hill II u Been Working.
Senator Ilill has responded nobly to
the appeals to justify his famous utter
ance, "I am a Democrat" His Fourth
of July letter urging loyalty to the
ticket nnd the cause has been followed
by direct, personal efforts upon plans
thoroughly matured during his needed
rest at Normandie and on his yachting
excursion. I speak by authority when I
say that Senator Hill will le tendered a
portfolio in the cabinet of President
Clevelaud, and wilt bo to him what Sec
retary Seward, under silnfl&r circum
stances concerning the nomination, was
to President Lincoln. Those Republic
ans who have based their hopes of suc
cess upon dissensions among the Demo
cratic leaders if they have any hope of
success mnst now invent some other
kind of consolidation. Democratic
statesmen are not bnilt that way.
Neither is ex-Secretary Blaine, who will
take the stump in Maine to bent Tom
Reed on his own ground, but who will
not support the ungrateful rygmy wbc
kicked him out of his cabinet. Texas
Si f tings.
Some Toor Mcd'i Figures."
The working people must have clothes
Not permitting them to think of silk
and linen, let us require them to confine
their needs to woolen and cotton goods.
The tariff on woolen fabrics is from 40
to 70 per cent On cotton goods the tax
is from 40 to 60 per cent Shoes are
taxed at 83 per cent, for the commonest
styles and more for better qualities.
Every workman must have tools to work
with, but these are taxed by the tariff 45
per cent The cheap crockery which
does duty on his dinner table is taxed 45
per cent, and the common glass tumble!
out of which he drinks pays a tax of 0C
per cent, as does also the chimney tc
his coal oil lamp. New Orleans Pica
yune. Uarrlty m Tower of Strength.
More than all, Mr. Harrity is a clean
man, and although he has genius for
ways and means which is adequate tc
great emergencies, he is far above the
level of a machine politician and an un
scrupulous trickster. His election ae
chairman practically assures the coun
try that the canvass, at least as far ae
Mr. Cleveland's party is concerned, will
be conducted on a plane which will be
fully approved by the friends of decent
politics. The choice made by the com
mittee seems to be fortunate in every
particular and renders more certain
than ever the election of Orover Cleve
land. Kansas City Star.
Against the Favored Clause
The Democratic party is entering upon
a battle royal in behalf of the common
people against favored classes. To Cleve
land and Stevenson has been committed
a sacred trust, and in the name of . the
people they have accepted their party's
commission. The address of Mr. Cleve
land should be an inspiration to every
Democrat. With that lofty patriotism
that ulvvays characterizes his public ut
terances he points out the duty of
Democracy. His denunciation of the
Republican tariff policy is strong and
concise, and deserves to be carefully
read by every voter. Rochester (N. Y.J
Herald.
The Tariff llua Alway Won.
At no time since the war has the taria
question come to the front that the peo
ple were not found in favor of a tarifl
for revenue only. In the Tildun cam
paign of 1876 the tariff was made a lead
ing issue and Tilden was elected. In the
Democratic platform of 18b0 the tarifl
was given little attention and the result
was defeat. In lb'84 this question was
again brought into prominence and
Cleveland won the presidency. Cleve
land Plain Dealer.
A Sadly Dtnorganlzed Party.
With Fassett keeping his coat but
toned up to his chin, Piatt minus hit
voice, Quay leooming pious, Depew
in to Europe, Clarkson going into re
tirement, Foraker goiug crazy and Dud'
ley going to the devil, the Republican
party stands strongly in need of a reor
ganization of its unamalgamuted asso
ciation. Memphis Appeal-Avalanche.
Othello' Ocotipatlon Done.
The frying of fat is as easy now as in
lft 83, but it is muoh more difficult to use
it Under improved ballot laws the
occupation of the Quays and Dudleys is
atxrat gone. new York World.
DAMS REPUBLICAN'S INDU3TRIOUS
INFANT INDUSTRY.
infill
The older and bigger it gets the more
it eats. Chicago Herald.
There Are No Frderat KlxrtiotM.
There is no such thing as a federal
election. Some of our Republican
friends will look upon this statement as
audacious. After they have had time
to recover from the swoon into which it
has undoubtedly thrown them we may
give elucidation to the proposition in
detail. For the present it is rufiicient
to say that the people of a state choose
presidential electors and representatives
in congress in their capacity as citizens
of the state. They are not creatures of
federal authority. They create and
limit the federal power. Cincinnati En
quirer. The IM-itgtMteil Gaog.
One of the most remarkable features
of tho approaching campaign will bo the
efforts which Harrison will make to
catch the independent vote. It is re
ported that Quay, Dudley, Tlatt and t!j
whole tribe of working politicians have
already taken additional offense from
tho part which the president has al
ready undertaken to p!uy with a view
to diverting this vote from Cleveland in
the November election. Mr. Clarkson
has openly criticised the president nnd
condemned Lira for the misapprehension
under which ho is laboring. Richmond
Times.
HletHtlng the Vvoplu.
Where is there o industry in Iowa
that is protected irweexcetrtour linseed
oil mill, and this pays a dividend upon
a capital just three times as large as
every plant in the United States cost?
iet Iowa pays out $20,000,000 per an
num, or nearly twenty dollars per an
num for every man, woman and child
in the 6tate, to "protect" a lot of monop
olies and trusts whose owners are be
coming multimillionaires by bleeding
the people under a process that was dis
covered -and is fostered by the Repub
lican party. Burlington (Ia.) Gazette.
A FertlDeut Query.
The proposition to remedy the ineffi
ciency of the government by imposing
on it great and untried duties, lying out
side of what Americans have been taught
to believe its proper province, recalls the
pregnant inquiry of a distinguished
statesmen, "Shall we reform a spend
thrift by putting money in his pocket?"
The true remedy lies in the other direc
tion. Louisville Oourier-Joumal,
A Fundamental Democratic Principle.
We cannot all be successful in onr in
dividual political aspirations, but we can
all be successful as Democrats in the
success of the Democratic ticket That
is the only - point we have to consider
now. It is a fundamental Democratic
principle to abide by the will of the ma
jority, and that is what every Democrat,
wno is wortny or the name, will da
Wheeling Register.
What the Fore Dill Would Do.
A force bill would bring back sub
stantially the same state of affairs as ex
isted during the reconstruction days,
and southern industrial development
would be checked and thrown back. So
a conservative and energetic representa
tive of the younger generation of suc
cessful huen argues with point and force.
Scranton (Pa.) Times.
Benny Favor the Fore Dill,
In his messages to congress we have
in black and white President Harrison's
declarations in fave.r of a force bill. He
urged this measure upon congress. If
every Republican journal in the country
should repudiate the force bill the Re
publican candidate must still be jndged
by his own official record. Rochester
(N. Y.) Herald.
An Absurd Project.
'The absurdity of the Republican proj
ect; to tax ourselves rich is to be shown
by the Democracy in . the "coming cam
paign, In every contested state and in
evory congressional district the impossi
bility of lifting ourselves by our finan
cial boot straps will be pointed' out
Buffalo Times.
Uurrlnon, the Boor Slammer.
Harrison is determined to run the
campaign himself. He irlainmed the
door of the White Hise in the faces of
Quay and Dudley. Hell slam it behind
himself this time. Elmha (N. Y.) Ga
zette, Campaign Song.
Unrk to tho rlnctn'r bunle call!
Haill bail the glad refrain
Ia Uemorratic heart ot all 1
From Florida to Maine!
ciioias.
Then bo for C'lrvoliind nd reform!
Hurr&L! hurrah! liurruli!
Be towers above the rinluif storm
To crash tho tariff law.
He once before triumphantly
His party color bore;
He served the nation faithfully.
Her hltfhtat honors wore.
Iiesjjollc rule we oeod not four
Iu ouy sovereign state;
; His uttsrauces are strong and clear
; Ou every inaue great.
Now shall no honored soldier's fame
Through pension fraud be turned
Into the mendicant's base shams
By lowest menuil snarned.
For Cleveland and for Stevonann
We'll raise this battle cry
Till from the dome at Wanhinefcui
Their banner uroudlv nvl
, -ileYufkWaV ,
A toman's fiitft ttt-'fJ her,
Hcre ate her own words :
"I was prostrate with displace
ment of the womb and the conse
quent ulceration and spinal weak
ness. " I was obliged to lie in bed, as
to walk or stand was impossible,
because of dizziness and severe
bearing-down pains.
"A friend told me how she had
been cured of similar trouble by
using LyJia E. rinkham's Vtgrtabit
Cotnpcund, and I believed if it
would cure her it would me.
" And it did one bottle brought
me out of bed, and three got me
up so that I could do the house
work. ,
" I believe it is the best medicine
in the world for female complaints,
and I want ever)' woman to know
about it." Josephine Schoen
born, 713 Baker St., Baltimore,
Md.
Yes, we have
proof abundant
which shows that
no one remedy in
all the world has
relieved so much
female suffering.
lldijll, tell It orwnt
by mall. In form at I'm or
IfOi-nftrf, on r!pt of II t .
ml AAdilKH In cnnll. &-mSjCr ttZml
d... ..fi.i k. rwTrm
B4M MMUHAL Oi I. TUN,
MM. UIH llllt.loc.
IKCIBIRE WIS A.ZR,:E
Always something new and
WE WANT
WE MUST SELL,
WE WILL SELL
One second hand Grain Drill, with Fertilizer at
tachment, CHEAP; One second
without Fertilizer
If you want
make an , v
D. W, KITC
RELIABLE
AND
MAKING AND FITTING
.OF THE.
Best, tBie Newest ami Must Stylish, lowest sss
Pficc ; ami to prove Satisfactioaa fis
our lEmlcavoa
The best value for Money is to buy your
Clothing, Hats, Shirts, Neckwear, Trunks and
Valises of
Corner; of Main and Centre Streets, BLOOMSBURG, PA.
Largest Clothing and
J. R.Smith & Co.
tl.V.TTKl).
MILTON, Pn.,
DEALERS IN
PIANOS,
Br the following well-known makers 1
Checkering.
Knabc,
"Weber,
Hallct & Davis.
Can also furnish any of the
cheaper makes at manufact
urers' prices. Do not buy a
piano before getting our prices.
.o.
Catalogue and Price Lists
On application.
TO SELL, "
attachment; CHEAPER.
to buy a Drill, here is a chance to
.
INVESTMENT.
BLOOMSBURG,
CIOTMG MS
Comes to the front with the
G&OVBHfG
Hat House in Columbia
THOMAS G01UIEY
mm ui m,
Plans and Estimates on au
kinds of buildings. Repairing
and carpenter work promptly
attended to.
- Soaler in Builder's Supplies.
Inside Hardwood finishes a
specialty.
Persons of limited means who
desire to build can pay part and
secure balance by mortgage
PATENTS.
Cfvent nnd Trfldc Mnrk". nntnltvM
Patent business conducted lor Vni
'i.KATi
FKKS.
H H OFFH K ! OITOHITR THK V
KN'T t'FKIl'K. Se have no Hutt-iiKm
business direct, hence enn transact i,it,
ncss In less time nnd nt. Less Cost limn (
unite from WaxhliiKtnn.
Mend model, dritwlnv or plinto, with
tton. Wo ndvlsti If patent lle or not
i ll's, til
til lliJHl
1 1 OH' R-
iWrlp
si'iMinii.
cnnrRP. uur ice nm due till patent is
A DOOK, "IIOW IO lllllllltl I'.ltents," H it
ences o iipiuui clients in jour (Hat
town, sent free. Address
11 ri'tor
iittty, ot
t A. HNOW CO., Wnsliltnrton li c
(Opposite V. M. I'utetit .onice.)
Jl.G-JX1ST.
interesting ;
hand Grain Drill.
PA.
MT 111!
and Montour Counties
HEH,