Speech #500001757

To chase the successful manuficturer by a change of duties is to legislate for the foreigner against our own citizens. And this brings me to the most important benefit conferred by our tariff laws. that the result is not only to diversify our industries but to secure to laborers employed in manufactories higher wages and better surroundings and advantages than are enjoyed by laboring men in similar employment anywhere in the world. The President does not overlook this. for he says: It is also said that the increase in the price of domestic manufactures resulting from the present tariff is necessary in order that higher wages may be paid to our workingmen employed in manufactories than arc paid for what is called the pauper labor of Europe. ge says he acknowledges the force of this argument. that our labor is honorable. that it should not be measured by that of any country less favored. This is all very true. but is inconsistent with the rest of his message. He says of such workingmen. they are only oneseventh of our laboring population. that these. too. have their own wants and their families to supply. that the articles made here can be bought so much cheaper abroad. and we must consider that the tax falls upon all alike. but he says he will think of the workingman when he lowers the duty. and hopes the manufacturer will not reduce his pay.