Protective Tariffs III.

Prof. Thompson took as the subject of his third lecture on Protection last evening. The relation of the tariff to the working men's interests. Educated men lack sympathy with the laboring classes. Trades Unions and strikes are unconditionally condemned by them. But we should not forget that the social classes owe something to each other. Protection is the expression of national interest in the laborer. The condition of this class did not begin to improve until Protection became our policy, contrary to general belief. Farm laborers received at the most $5 per month, boys $1. The farmers could not pay more; they had no market for their produce because the artisans were in Europe. Butter was 8 cents a pound, and some women in Connecticut went insane when the price rose to 10 cents. The laboring man of the North was worse of than the salve of the South, says one writer.

The beneficial effects of Protection upon the laborer are disputed, but, thanks to two Massachusetts statisticians, there can no longer be doubt upon the question. It was admitted that wages were higher here, but it was claimed that cost of living was proportionately high. Col. Wright's figures show the falsity of this. Wages in Massachusetts are 62 per cent. higher than in England, while the cost of living is only per cent. higher. United States census reports confirm this. Mr. Edward Atkinson's statistics give further proof of the benefits of Protection. He shows that while the profits of the capitalist have fallen, wages have risen.

It is the policy of Protection to prohibit the importation of laborers, but not their free immigration. We want no coolies here, no Chinese, who come without their families, and return with their gains after a short time. But the free laborers with their families come not merely as competitors but as customers. They are welcome. Look at the since 1861. The large accumulations in New England Savings banks, and the success of Building Associations in Pennsylvania, testify to this. The lecturer in closing spoke eloquently of the happiness which laborers in America enjoy, as contrasted with the misery of their brothers in Europe.