48 LABOR, The Republican party has aided labo,r by high wages through Protection, the Homestead Act, and the broadest possible education. It has passed the bill establishing a Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the House for this bill there were 183 yeas to 19 nays, the 19 all Democrats; in the Senate 55 yeas to 2 nays, both Demecrats. Not one Republican opposed the measure. It has appointed committees of investigation, where, at great expense and much time, the interests of labor have been considered. It has provided against contract labor from China and elsewhere, because this subjects American labor to unfair competition. Our country is a refuge and a home for all who come here voluntarily to live and work, not only for their own good, but for the Nation’s welfare. Mr. Blaine says: The Republican party has protected the free labor of America so that its compensation is larger than'is realized in any other country. It has guarded our people against the unfair competition of contract labor from China, and may be called upon to prohibit the growth of a similar evil from Europe. It is obviously unfair to permit capitalists to make contracts for cheap labor in foreign countries to the hurt and disparagement of the labor of American citizens. Such a policy (like that which would leave the time and other conditions of home labor exclusively in the control ot the employer) is injurious to all parties—not the least so to the unhappy persons who are made the subjects of the contract. It is not the interest of the Republic that any economic system should be adopted which involves.the reduction of wages to the hard standard prevailing elsewhere. The Republican party aims to elevate and dignify labor—not to degrade it. SHIPPING INTERESTS. The Republican party has declared in its platform, “We demand the restoration of our Navy to its old time strength and efficiency.” One of the greatest needs of our country to-day is American ships. We need them to carry* our immense produce, fostered by protection for the last twenty-four years. From 1870 to 1880 our export trade increased over 400 per cent. What are these products carried in ? Largely in English ships. In whose vessels do the travelers go from this country to Europe ? Largely in English ships. For carrying freight, .passengers and mail we pay to foreign ship owners over $100,000,000 each year. How long can even a wealthy nation stand this drain of gold? We need ships to develop our commerce with South America. Mr. Blaine, when Secretary of State, invited the independent Governments of North and South America to meet in a Peace Con-
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