The Democratic party is not the party of free trade and never has been. it does not believe in nor want free trade. and could not have it if it so desired. The majority party on the floor of this House stands firm for the interests of the people against unjust and unfair taxation in whatever form it may appear. The Democratic party believes in so regulating and adjusting our tariff laws as shall protect every legitimate industry. and at the same time denounces as unjust any attempt to frame any law which shall enrich the few at the expense of the many. and yet for taking this stand and upholding the peoples rights we are met each year just before election with that old. wornout. and delusive cry of "free trade." and are charged that we intend to reduce the American wageearner to the level of the pauper laborer of the Old World. A sufficient answer to this accusation is found in the faqt that the average labor cost entering into the manufacture of woolen goods is about 17 per cent. and the average labor cost entering into the manufacture of cotton goods is about 20 per cent. under the present bill the lowest rate of duty imposed upon woolen goods is 25 per cent. so it will be seen that the cry of pauper labor can have but little effect when the facts are known. Since the passage of the McKinley law wages have been cut down in nearly every industry. on the products of which a higher rate of duty was imposed. The followina reductions have been made. the dates all refer to the year 1891:
Identified stereotypes
Generalization about 'pauper labor' from the Old World.