Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-03-12
TARIFF AND ANTTTARIFF SCENE.
NUWcsFUUurnco nI TTc NuTIlm0re F1tfiUt.
WASHINGTON, March .. ISi6.

WASHINGTON, March 9, 1916.
The ways and doings of the British Free Trade
party in this country, aud their co,workers and
coadiuors, the I4ordly Manufacturers of England
are rapidly developing themselves
The proceedings of Congress being dull to dav.
! accepted an invitation TO visit the room of the
House Committee on PostOfliccs and Post Roads
where found Mr. Homer, brother TO Sidney
Homer, whose anti tariff lntcrappeared in the last
number Of the Union" exhibiting abont 200
specimens of goods of English manufacture, with
like goods of American production, and prices at
tached TO cach-in order to convince members OF
Congress that our tariff ought to be struck down
| don't know when ever enjoyed an hours time
more heartily. Mr.. Homer is genllemanly per.
son. who seems to understand the wants of the
English manufacturers admirably we'll Indeed. he
told those present that he had resided in Manches.
Ter England, for ten years, engaged in sending
British goods 10 this country, and that he left Eng
land to reside in the United States in 1912 He
has ag1s5sa 'gG SSaS and Az to cone to
kerr" on the side, and the manufacturers OF
Manchester on the other. lie brings letter of
instruction and recommendation from Mr. Aexan-
der Henry, great capitalist in Manchester which
is dated January 81; this letter. Mr. Homer eXhib-
its to those who wish to persue it. The British wri-
ter of 1t, in speaking Of Mr. Folks ani.tariff mes
sage to Congress, eXcams-" A second Daniel
come to Judgment second Sir Richard Cobden'
He praises the message very much--ihereby show
ing how highly it is appreciated by the British man.
uiacturcrs
In regard to Mr.. IIomer's mission to instruct
Congress into belief that it would be best } break
down the American Manufacturers and eXalt those
of Great Britain, Mr.. II 3ny writes " | am rlad
that you, whose long experience as our Importer,
enables you SO well TO understand the subject have
taken 1t in hand for if the object Of those at
Washington be to obtain sound information and
arrive at Just conclusions in the proposed aera-
tons Of the present tariff, the information which
you can lay before them will be highly valuable
There were present in the room While | was
there, Messrs Stewart, Coaner and Hubbard. of
the House, and Mr.. Welhered of Baltimore (all
Whigs) Also two three anti-arif members. who
soon left. You may well Imagine that such ren-
tlemea as have named would, under the cI-cum.
stances, put some searching questions to Mr. iIo-
mer coming there for such purpose and so tee
omulended! And assure yon that they did put
theml Mr.. Homer answered as well perhaps as
any free trader could-but never have seen man
so completely cornered
lie exhibited two pieces of calico which, he
said, were manufactured BY Senator Simmons. of
Rhode Island-who sold them, one for II cents nor
yard and the other tor II or IS. Mr.. Wethered
thought there must be some mistake in this and
went up to the Senate, and requested MIR Simmons
to come down to the Committee room. who readily
assented to the request. lie said the pieces in
question were none Of his manufacture and from
the quality, the best piece not worth over II y
cents, and the other not over 10 - per yard Those
persons, from whom Mr.. Homer had Obtained them.
had deceived him.
Mr.. Homer said the manufacturers of this spe
ces Of goods made profit of from go 10 80 Der
centum. Mr.. Hubbard asked him wirThen more
persons did not invest their capital in such proiu-
bic business lie asked Mr. Homer why he did
not embark in the business The latter replied
that he would invest $4,000 in it, if he did not
fear that 81 many would lush into the same enter
prise as to bring down the profits, by competition
so low as TO destroy The business Mr.. Stewart
asked if that was not the American doctrine
that competition reduced not only the profits. but
the prices Mr.. Collamer asked who but the
great mass OF the people reaped the benefit from
this competition among the manufacturing capital.
lists? Mr. Hubbard wanted Mr.. Homer to say if
the reason why he did not invest his capita in this
line Of business was because competition would
bring down the price OF the goods manufactured
Mr.. Homer taltered in his reply, and said there
were several reasons why he would not engage in
manufactures. One was, that the market would
be iluctuating.
Mr.. Wethered, seeing the state of things, and
exercising his compassion said 1t was too bad for
many 10 be against one. He hoped the Tariff
folks in Congress would also have Committee
Room, as well as the British manufacturers, with
specimens for examination and comparison, and
That they would appoint some sensible gentleman
to supernend it, and argue the matter single hand
ed with Mr. Homer Whcreupon the gentlemen
made their bows and took their leave | fear Mr.,
Homer will find his mission too hot for him. The
American people don't like these kind of missions
on behalf of British manufacturers, who seek the
destruction OF the American Tariff, however plaus-
lble and right the thing may appear in the eyes of
Mr.. Polk or Mr. Walker.
% Character is like wealth it takes n long
tas,.n 20 81.