Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-08-21
ENQUIRER.
RIG MON d, VA.
Thursday Morning, August 20, 1916.
vIEwsoF A MANUFACTURER.

Proofs thicken upon MS, that the Tariff has
been made q stalking horse lor political aspirants.
We have shown how the leading Tariff presses
protested against any compromise-how they ri
diculed as ARROGANT" the delegation OF manutac-
,urers at Washington who cordially gave their
assent 10 a proposition OF MIR. Webster, reducing
The Tariff OF 1912 25 per cent. This proposition
was prepared by Mr.. w, but secuted BY the
Wing Senators and never brought forward
They wished 10 keep the question open for polili-
cal effect. They would take nothing less than
the whole loaf. Though practical manuiaclu-
rers candidly admilied that they could "live" I'M
der said compromise, and expressed theirdecided
qualification" al the probability of its success,
the Wing politicians saw that no political capital
could be made out Of ii, and turned a cold shout
derto The compromise. The inevitable inference
is, that they looked not so much TO the interest Oh
"American industry" as 10 the chances of stir
ring the political chauldron, aud smuggling into
the Presidency a full bIocded Wing political Ia
riiiie.
These views are confirmed by The remarks OF
a manufacturer, published in The New Haven
Courier, Wing. He, in his practical view OF the
matter, is convinced tina, the subject should be
separated from politics, because political agita-
ton is decidedly injurious 10 the manufacturing
interest. This manufacturer says:
aWhile," said he, ",his question is left 10 The
hands Of mere politicians, we shall always have
trouble. To make the business pursuits oil Inc
people dependant upon The success oil party, IS
like linking church and state ioge,ser; by the
union, government may be strengthened, but vital
religion is inpaieed. A protective tariff made
the rallyine ciy by one class OF political aspi-
rants, and an ~oh)sctoi an attack by another, may
b. influential in dispiacing this man from office,
and in elevaling another 10 power and conse-
quence, but in the mean time ii becomes more
obnoxious 10 its opponents, and more dependent
upon The popular caprice. There is no neutral
ground upon which the combalants may meet
ana form a treaty productive OF advantages 10
both, nor have the manufacturers any other al
tentative than of joining in The melee for their
rights, which, temporarily secured al an immense
sacrifice, are liable 10 be snatched suddenly away
from them by another onslaught of their political
enemies.
'iadividuals do not expend large sums for
buildings and machinery Tor political purposes,
but to acquire property 10 supply their families
with bread; and they connect themselves with
party merely from The stern necessity Of The case;
for if they do moi, they are considered as traitors
10 their own welfare, while ii they do, they are
The first victims 10 successful hostility"
He admits, further, that the manufacturers ''are
beginning to ieel that they have been used long
as the agents for e'ecting pol,tieataspirants.
He is in favor of a compromise tariff, or a fair,
bill, that shall not incur the especial
OF any inieres,-and gives some hard
al those ultra Wing presses, which, in their
anxious desire for agitation, have planted them
selves firmly upon the Tariff OF i542, and will not
recede an inch. What care these politicians Tor
the welfare Of the manufacturers, TO whom they
profess SO much devotion, il they can keep the
open to operate efectnaliy on Inc pohli-
cal market, ''two years hence1' The new Tariff
is a compromise of interests, which We doubt not
will ultimately be ot real value 10 The manuiac-
turers. While il gives fair play 10 agriculture and
commerce., it does more than justice 10 The man.
ufaclurer.
But here is a manufacturers rcbuke OF The
Wing Tariff politicians. Coming from such a
source, it will "lell:"
"Some of the prints upon which they (the ma
nuiac,urers) have relied TO plead their cause,
when requested 10 urge a compromise tariff, were
silent upon he subject. Others gave il the cold
shoulder. Their representatives in Congress
followed the political current, and upon TIC ground
nj dang them a great faror i'co grars hence, oy ors'-
iuyn,.g the free trodc party, and perhaps m'sleo
as TO iheir real wishes, suffered protection 20 90
nv The hoard without a feasible effort 10 prevent
The cata strophe."