New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-23
SuaES IND PROTECTION.

York and Pennsylvania Boots and Shoes are
mainly fabricated in New England: whereupon
certain Yankee shoe-bosses represent that our
Free Trade leather men-Jackson S. Schultz.
Isaac II. Bailey, &c.-are gOuging and skim
ming them by exacting too high price for
their Leather. Perhaps they do; but we shall
wait to hear both lsides before believing it.
In fact we regard the Boot and Shoe men as
doing about as we'll as any other class: II not,
why are so many rushing into and expanding
their businessf Has mankind natural fond
ness for being gouged and skinned by Free
TradersH We hope not.
| The dissatisfied sh0e-bosses have issued a
manifesto, which The World eagerly halls as
"A Protest against the Tariff by the Shoe
" Manufacturers of the United States (which
it is Just as much as an epistle from Judas
Iscariot would be letter from the Apostles.
There are those who want their bread but
tered on both sides, and can't abide any
other; there are some who will sign almost
any paper which is laid before them, provided
it is calculated to bring their names before the
public SO quite number of shoe-bosses
have united in prOnuncidment0 against the
Tariff Let us see what is their grievance
" The undersigned. engaged in the manufacture OF
boots and Shoes desire to cali the attention OF their fe
low manufacturers and OF the public TO certain facts
illustrative of the bearing of thepresen tariff upon their
industry. The legislation OF other countries has aimed
to secure for manufacturers and artisans The mate
rials Of their industry al me cheapest possible rates
Every country pursuing this policy has rapidly devel
oped its manufactures. The opposite system has gen
orally prevailed In country, and has retarded
the naturally vigorous growth OF our industries what
OF prosperity they have attained has been
in spite of adverse and depressing system OF taxation
and is due to the intelligence SKILL and industry; OF our
people. These have enabled them to triumph over both
natural and artificial difficulties.
The tariff upon Leather amounts 10 IS per cent
From the earliest periods of our history Americans have
enjoyed such advantages in the manufacture Of Leather
as hare enabled them 10 unierScH all computing nations
This tax therefore, totally unnecessary as protective
'The duties on Cotton and SILK Rubber Webbing 35
and per respectively As few OF these goods are
in this country these protective duties are
benefits to the few and burdens TO the many. The duties
OH Hastings and serges IS per cent. Although these
highly Protective duties have been levied for four years
they have succeeded in stimulating only two establish
ments TO engage in making these articles and that TO
limited extent Moreover, the quality of their products
is inferior to superede the OF the imported goods
"The combined taxes upon all the articles forming the
materials of industry yield the Government rev.
enue of only sS,5OOOOO. while they impose upon the
which eventually be paid by the wearers OF these
necessary articles.
"The direct consequence OF these Protective taxes Il
such an increase in the cost of our products "a
prevents our competing with the manufacturers OF
boots and shoes in other countries or late years
there has been increase OF IS per cent In
the productive power of a given amount Of capital
and labor engaged in manufacture through i'm
proved machinery and new processes. This gain,
which should have resulted in cheaper boots
and Shoes has been completely nulliied by Protective
taxes The legislation Of our own country has driven
our products from the markets Of Canada, Mexico the
West Indies and South America, which had enjoyed
than century. 1t has transferred the manu-
facture of products to great degree to Canada,
where ii enjoys greater advantages and is subject to
fewer mpediments in the prosecution of business Thus
country has to this extent lost the benefits OF this
Industry and given her wealth to others through sys
tenn of Tariff taxation professedly framed to foster and
encourage American industry but which expels 1t from
America and increases the wealth OF other nations
In addition to the direct influences OF the tariff upon
our production the system of Protective duties ndi
rect opposes revous burdens upon 1t by increasing
the cost buildings, engines, machinery TOOLS and
supplies well railroad transportation 1t raises the
price OF house rent fuel food, clothing, and all supplies
to render extravagant wages necessity TO our
workmen. This apparent increase Of wages, however
yields no substantial benefit to our w0rknen, because 1t
is all consumed in the enhanced cost Of living.
awe believe that entire removal Of all Protective
duties would greatly advance industry should
then have the markets of the world in which to sell our
products, thus largely increasing the labor employed
and the profits OF manufacturing. We, moreover, be-
lieve that the enhanced ,cealh and comfort OF
people, consequent upon a change OF system would be
evidenced In increased consumption Of goods.
reduction In the duties levied upon the articles used In
our manufacture is demanded by the interests OF all
capitalists and laborers engaged in the Boot and Shoe
industry.
1.-THE magnitude of our industry which Is larger in the
value Of its product and the number of hands employed
than any other single industry in the country should in
sure careful consideration Of reasonable demands.
While the Iron the Cotton and other interests
santy deferred 10 by our legislators when they request
Protection it will not appear unreasonable that the Boot
and Shoe industry should claim from their feow-czens
and from Congress careful consideration Of the injuries
inflicted upon 1t by this policy OF mscaled Protection,
and the manifest advantages which would result at
least the largest manufacture in the United States
from its overthrow"
Comments bv The Tribune.
We have chosen to print thus conspicuously
every iCOrd but the signatures of this studied
manifesto, calling attention to a few points by
Itdiics. Let us now look at the material facts
Value I@pd
.4rrel.. rre.cnl D.y Y Tsa = ise 80
Raw Hides and Skins 10 per cent. 4o9,999
Leather and Tanned skins 20 10 SO per cent. 572s0S
Gloves of Skin Leather. 80 per cent..... 3Oo96
Boots and Shoes and all other GA
Manufactures OF Leather 80 per CENT. I3,OB
Exports Of Boots and shoes ilV6l2
EFFORTS OF Saddery and Har-
ness, and Manufactures OF
Leather not specified 1862
1t does seem to us that this exhibit does
not indicate that the sboe-bosses are having a
hard time. Hides and raw Skins are admitted
at 10 per cent. Leather and Tanned Skins
pay from 20 to % per cent. Boots and Shoes
are subject to ~ per oent, Aad our b'Sses