Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1892 — TOPICS OF THESE TIMES. [ARTICLE]

TOPICS OF THESE TIMES.

A Sooth Dakota girl who bet 1,000 kisses that Blaine would be nominated, paid the obligation like a little major and then had to submit toarecovlt because the man in the case insisted that the number delivered w_Z short. He probably understood the case better tha& did any disinterested outsider. lit certain cases the Salvation Army insists upon Immersion as a means of saving grace. A number of these perambulating workers in the vineyard, were camping atLake Bluff, near Chicago.. Und one night a thief stole in .upon them. He was captured, tossed headlong into the water and rest struggling there until repentant. Baptism under such circumstances is approved by almost every creed, and the lingering prejudices of sectarianism is not, offended. . Invitations have gone from the State Department to foreign powers to send war vessels to join the United States navy in Hampton Roads and thence proceed to New York to take part in a great naval review. The peaceful gathering of the navies of the world will be a picturesque scene,- will emphasize "the existence of international good will, and afford a grand opportunity for a study of naval architecture as well as valuable suggestions to inventive genius.

ffii shall all watcli with interest the construction of the electric railroad which is to run trains from the city of St. Louis eastward to a settlement in the State of Illinois at the rate of 100 miles an hour The pre-* timinary work is in progress, and all the reports about it are encouraging. We learn that there is good ground of hope that the line, several hundred miles in length, will be in operation next year. Its success will give an impetus to the use of the electric motor on other long distance railroads, and will throw light upon many questions that are yet in obscurity. Wars and rumors of wars make up the monotonous burden of reports from Central and South America. Venezuela is inthe midst of a revolution, Brazil is in sanguinary trouble with one of her provinces and ) JBonduras has something of a war on hand. Chili has deposed her ruler and Bolivia is in a state of restlessness bordering upon revolution. This sort of news has been received for years and surprises no one so much as would; the assurance of peace among our southern neighbors. The fact is that these struggles usually arise from personal differences, are in the maid short lived and afford little comfort for those who contend that republics are failures? 77

The people of Jeffersonville, Ind., were made the victims of a colossal sell.OProf. Cassandier was billed to leap from the bridge over the Ohio to the water, a distance of eightyfive feet. Thousands collected to witness the daring feat, and wh le waiting for the performance to begin invested largely in beer, circulated among the crowd by the enterprising originators of the scheme. Finally, when the ccowd became impatient, a dummy was thrown , from the bridge, and, being weighted with bricks, sank to rise no more, which persuaded many that the unfortunate professor had been drowned. It was simply a scheme to draw the crowd and sell beer, and it worked to perfection. —Ex. We boast that we live in a country where all are equal in the eyjRS of the law. But a New York judge recently denied the motion in behalf of a wife, who desired to secure a limited divorce, to sue as a poor person. In hi* decision he condemned the practice of bringing.sepuration suits by poor persons because it was impossible to enforce the order of the court in regard to the payment of alimony and counsel fees, bo it appears that the luxury of a divorce mensa et thora can only be enjoyed by persons who have means. whose husbands are poor as well as cruel must - Continue to live with them, but their more fortunate sisters can separate on slight provocation and the court will enforce the payment of money bud their alilnonj> I A disease peculiar to Japan is iknown as the cake It is not..contagious, and it cau not, therefore, be baid that its victims take tbo cake. It is supposed to be tbs result of eating too much rive. .

M’KINLEY'S BILL VINDICATED. Ken* fits to Working People Even Greater l*iiar.Ttii>e Author Dreamed Of. Albany. N. Y., Aug. 28. —Charles F. Peck. Commissioner of Labor for New York State*.- issued his annual tee port to-night. A large portion is devoted to figures of interest in relation to tette tariff. —In order to prove whether “ protection ” as advocated by one itical party, or “tariff for revenue only” would prove oL ad vantage, statistics have been gathered to show in every industry in the State the increase or decrease of.production and comparative increase or decrease, in wages. The period covered by the investigationincludes the year immediately prior to the enactment of what is termed -the '‘McKinley bill” and the year irnmediately foliowing its -becoming law. That is, the data li pb u wifi elf the ■“report- has been made was for ttje year (commencing Sept. 1. 1888. up to arid including the 31st of August, 1890, and the year commencing Sept, 1, 1889, Up to and including,the 31st of August. 1891. The methods employed to secure the necessary data were almost entirely those of the blank system. It was not the original purpose, nor is it now pretended that the data and statistics presented present any but purely wholesale manufacturing establishments. ToYiave undertaken to cover the retail and custom manufacturing establishments of the State would have been a physical and financial impossibility. Some 8,000 blanks were addressed and. mailed to as many separate establishments throughout the State, and of this number 6/100, or 75 per cent., were returned fully and correctly answered.

From the tables it appears that there was a net increase in wagfcs of $6,787,297.08 in 1891 as compared with the amount paid in 1890, and a net increase of production of $31,315,130.69 in the year 1891 over 1890. A simply analysis of this table further demonstrates the fact that sixty-five industries covered 77 per cent, of them show an increase in either wages or product, or both, and that there were no less than 87,897 instances of individual increase of wages during the same year. While the industries are but 67 in number the total trades represented amount t 01,121, and give employment to 285.000 workingmen and workingwomen. Of the 67 industries, included 75 per cent, of them show an increased average of earnings in 1891, while the total average increase of yearly earriings of the 285,000 employes was $23.11. The average increase of yearly earnings of the employes in the 51 trades showing ah increase was $42.96 in 1891, as compared with 1890. In addition to the investigation of this special sub'ect the bureau has continued its annual investigation 6F all labor disturbances occurring in the State during the past year. The total number of strikes reported for 1891 was 4,519, as against 6.258 occurring in 1890, a decrease of 1,739. Of the total number in 1891, 2,370, or 50 per cent, of them, were in the building trades. ANOTHER RES LT OF THEM’KINLEY LAW. London, Aug. 28. —Several Welsh tin plate manufacturers closed their works on Saturday. Sixty works are now closed and 10,000 men are idle. Many sailed on Saturday to fin d em pioyment in America^— ———

POINTS OF CONTRAST, Indianapolis Journal. Persons in search of political truth and light may be interested in the following points of contrast in the platforms of the two great political parties. The Republican platform says: "We reaffirm the American deetrine of protection. We call attention to its growth abroad. We maintain that the prosperous condition of our country is largely due to the wise revenue legislation of the Republican Congress. We believe that all articles which cannot be produced in the United States, except luxuries. should be produced free of duty, and that on all imports coming in competition with the products of American labor there should be levied duties equal Jto the difference between wages abroad and at home," This is a reaffirmation of the doctrine of protection for American industries under which the country has made such wonderful progress* during the last twenty five years. It iISSVI id ‘ tl»v Fight Lud dut-V cf C VCi'V country to Tcgtslatcforits own interests, without regard to the interests of other countries. The Democratic platform says: “We denounce protection as a fraud on the labor of the great ma'ority of the American people for the benefit of the few. We declare it to be.a fundamental principle of the Democratic party that the federal Government lias no constitutional power to impefce and collect tariff duties except f<M*the purpose of revenue only, and we demand that the collection $f such taxes shall be.limited to the necessities of the Government when honestly and ecoaomienfiy administcred. “ ■—"— —— This denies the right ot Congress to legislate for the protection of AmtM'ican industries or interests in any manner, or lo any extent whatever. The practical result of the enforcement of this doctrine would be a complete surrender of*the Amerß edn- market id many linesof manufaetmeß to loreign producers, and a large reduct on in American wages. The Republican p'atlorin says: “We poiut to the success of the

Republican pdlicy of reciprocity, | under which our export trade has j vastly increased and new and en- ■ larged markets have been opened for the products of our farms and workshops.” The policy of reciprocity has already resulted in a great increase of our trade with those countries to which it has been applied, and its ' benefits; have but just begun to be - realized. ...te _,; te..""- 7- ■ The Democratic platform denounces this beneficial policy as a ‘ sham reciprocity.” This “sham reciprocity,’ says Mr. Reid, “has been ill.effect but a short time-—with some of the more important countries only four months or less down to the fiscal year on June 30; in most of them less than a year—but the increase in our experts to those conn tries in the articles affected by agreementsl down to June 30, was over '510,115,000. Jn some of the countries the increase was over 500 per cent., aud the articles affected were. I largely agricultural—corn, wheat. . flour, pork: butter, etc. In other j countries the increase extended also i to our cotton, iron and wooden manufacturers. Would it be wise to throw away a policy that in the first • few months brings such results be- ; cause the Democratic party chooses to call it a sham?” The Republican platform says: “The interests of the producers of the-country, its farmers and its workingmen, demand that every dollar, paper or coin, issued by the government shall be as good as any other.”

This is a declaration in favor of honest money and a national banking system which furnishes.a currency absolutely safe and of uniform value in all parts of the country. The Democratic platform says: “We recommend that the prohibitory ten per cent, tax on State bank issues be repealed.” This would be an invitation for the re-establishment of the old system of wild cat banks, when every State had a different system, and when every person had to consult a “ bank note reporter” before Tie dared to take a note of any bank or denomination. In those days of “yellow i dog” and “blue pup” currency a man who went to bed at night with his pockets full of paper money sometimes found it terribly shrunken by morning. Nowadays a national bank note issued in one State is good in every other, and the holder of a national bank note can never lose a dollar, even if the bank fails, for the law provides for the redemption of the notes. Nobody ever heard of any person ever losing a cent by the | depreciation of a national bank note, j The Democratic platform, in effect, I demands the abolition of our present i banking system, and the substitution of thirty or forty different State I bank systems, with as many differ- ; ent kinds of currency. The Republican platform says : “We favor the extension of outforeign commerce, the restoration of i our mercantile marine by home built ] ships, and the creation of a navy for ( the protection of our national inter- I ests and the honor of our flag; the maintenance of the most friendly relations with all foreign powers ; entangling alliances with none, and the protection of the rights of our fishermen. ” This favors a truly American policy, which would assert ourrights at all times and in all places, and make the American flag respected in all quarters of the globe. Such- a policy appeals to the patriotism of every true American. The Democratic platform, saffi: “We view with alarm~ffietendency i to a policy of irritation and bluster, which is liable at any time to confront us with the alternative of humiliation or war.” This is a cowardly, cringing declaration. The firm assertion and i maintenance of American rights is designated as “a poucy of irritation and bluster, which is liable at any time to confront us with the alternative of humiliation or war.” The way ! to make the American flag respected J is by a firm assertion of American ! rights, and if it becomes necessarjtfto i confront the possibility of war it should be done without hesitation. A nation that does not respect itself sufficiently to assert its rights can not expect to be respected by other nations. BRAZILIAN MARKETS. New York Press. Our exports of iron and steel manufactures to Brazil are growing rap" . idly. They have hearly doubled in ; >the fifteen months-of the reciprocity ticaty, growing from $1,654,691 to J

The comparison is with the fifteen months immediately preceding the treaty. A DEMOCRATIC VETERAN’S FIGURES. ‘ This,” said Chairman Gowdy, handing the Journal reporter two type written sheets. “was given me by Ojßemocratic soldier who has been searching the records to see if the Democratic claims that Democratic Congressmen ore true friends of the veteran. This Democrat?” continued the Chairman, “told me he was using the sheets to convince other De.nocrallc veterans that they should not vote the Cleveland ticket. Below are the contents of the sheets: The arrears of pension bill, passed Jan. 19, 1879: Democrats for the bill 41 Domocrats against the bill.. <il Kcpubllcans for tho billll6 Republicans against tbo bi 11..?. 0 Wilson's pension bill, passed Feb. 2. 1886, (increasing widow's pension from $8 to $12): Democrat* for the bill o. . 80

Democrats against the bi 11..... ..-60 Republicans for the bi 11..., 118 Republicans against the bill. 0 The amputation bill, passed Aug. 4, 1883: Democrats for the bill . ... 75 Democrats against the bill ........... 51 Republicans for the bill ......... 91 Republicans against the bill. 0 Widows’ arrears bill, giving widows pensions from the date of the husbands’: Senate: Democrats for the bi 11.......... 1 Democrats against the bill. .v... .20 Republicans for the bill. ..‘....23 Rctniblicansagainst the bi 11............ 0 Tire disability pension hid, gran ting pensions to disabled soldiers and dependent parents and children: Democrats for the bilL... w .«fr.-iv77..... 28 Democrats against the bi 11............. 56. Republicans for the bill ~117 Republicans agaltiMr.the bill 0 Prisoners of war bill: Democrats for the bi 11... .... 24 Democrats against the bi 11.................... 78 Republicans for the bill :.............. .119 Republicans against, the bill ... 0

EPLBL I C A N E C In 1890. during the eleven months ending November 30, the I exports of sewing machines and parts of sewing machines from the P United States to Cuba amounted in value to SB6 921. R In 1891, under Republican reciprocity, during the correspondO . ing period, our exports of such articles to that country amounted C in value to $118,073. Tills increase of $31,152. or I 3.55 per cent., was caused bv Republican reciprocity. -T ■ - Y

“The pirates have captured the Democratic ship, ” says the Charleston (S. C.) News and Courier, referring to the Tillman-Alliance party. Jn Kansas, however, a portion of the Democratic party has joined the so - call ed pirates; The Democracy as a whole is a queer thing. Reports from all parts of the country where votes are counted asca-r -indicate that protection Democrats are accepting the invitation of Henry Watterson to get out of the free trade church, in which their room is better than their company. They are leaving behind them a large number of empty seats in the back benches of the Democratic meeting house. EQUAL TERMS. Indianapolis Journal. The Sentinel, in an article advocating free trade, says: “The political party which proclaims to the world that we are not able to compete on equal 4;erms in the field of industry with any Nation in the world is false to the Republic-” Just so; but what constitutes “equal terms?” The principal expenses of manufacturing are raw material and wages. There are some others, but they are immaterial compared with these. The chief expense is the cost of labor, or wages winch, on an average, represents about 90 per cent, of the cost of a finished product. In res pc tof ~TSW material we are better off than England. This country has most of the raw materials needed -in manu-, -factoring, while England imports most of hers. But how about the wages? Wages in tins country arc about 100 per cent, higher than they are in England. It is claimed that the cost of living is considerably less in England than here, but that does not figure in the case, because there is no probability that the cost of living will be materially less in this country for a long time to come. All other conditions aside, the Journal asserts that it is impossible, to put the two countries on “equal terms" for manufacturing purposes without equalizing wages. If Americanipan- - ufacturers could get labor at foreign wages, or if foreign workmen could compel their employers to pay American wages, then there would be practical equality of terms in this regard. We venture the assertion that there is not a protected manufreturer in the United States who would not willingly give up protection if he could get his labor at English wages. Other things being equal, the manufacturers of this country could compete with world without tariff protection, but what is implied in the "other-things being equal"? It implies equality of wages and salaries, as well as interest on money aud other minor expenses of production. The great item, however, is wages, and it is impossible to conceive'of a condition of “equal terms” without equality of wages. The Journal knows a skilled workman employed iu a factory in this city who formerly worked in an English factory in the same line. There he received 17 cents pear hour while here he gets 45 cents per hour. This is but one case of thousands. There Is not a laborer in the United States, skilled or unskilled, who does not receive on an average twice as much wages as he would for the same work iu England. It is as as the sun at noonday that these wages could not be sustained under feee trade, on if they were American manufactories would go down. It is not necessary for the force of this argument to assume that protection creates the high rate of American wages. l?ven if they are due to other causes, they exist and the question is as to the ability of American manufacturers to pay them in unprotected competition with foreign manufacturers. We assert that it wouldTte impossible. Under protection it is a competition between American manufacturers on equal terms os to wagris, the result being the utmost degree of cheapness compatible with American wages. Under free trade it would bo competition between two sets of manufacturers, One of which was paying twice os high wages as the other. How long would such competition last, and what would be the end?