National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-18

perhaps sleepy night editor is not only
unfair to the press of Washington, but that
it is dead open and shut sell on its
readers, members of Congress included.
We have had the bogus Pig Iron Ma
tional Convention and its resolutions, and
the Linen Trade" and its recommenda-
tons, and the trans-continental railway
scheme, as commended by some self-con-
stituted committee of some mutual admira-
| ton or mutual interest association, &C.,
&c, and We do not hesitate to say that no
single one of the petitions and resolutions
aforesaid would have reached the dignity
of an order to print had it been presented
to either House Of Congress by member.
The objects advocated may be all very
good and proper, but we object to taking
and paying for them, and printing them
under false pretences.
Again, perhaps, it is just as well that
those political quacks, who engineer these
bogus meetings, should be told that such
operations have ceased to have any in
fuence upon Congress Take the desired
changes in the tariff for instance. No le-
Ultimate importer desires any change in the
tariff unless it is to be permanent change.
1t is only the speculator who has made
heavy contracts, with the view Of securing
change of duty by which his profits may
be increased. The honest manufacturer
and importer desires, above all other
things, stability in tariff. Both these par
ties know that they make the consumer
pay the duty ultimately, and that, there
fore, it matters but little to the importer
whether the duty be high or low.
The worst feature of this species Of quack-
cry above described is that some reputable
firms allow the use of their names by such
quacks If merchants do not wish to be
Classed as ''shams" and 'rkite flyers in the
Departments here as well as in Congress,
they should beware how they delegate to
''trade associations, " composed chiefly of
a selEelected secretary and treasurer, the
power to use their names for political and
lobbying purposes. We have no doubt
that many New York firms would be
amazed to hear and see the things which
are said and done and threatened even in
washington IN their names.
The ''Sellers" family has an idea that
the present will be good winter for opera
tions, and it is out in full force. 1t offers
almost everything for sale, and is willing
to buy largely also. In fact it will not do
anything in a small way. Do you wish to
handle the press? Put down the cash and
Sellers" will move it in any direction,
upon any given subject. Do you wish to in
fuence q member? Sellers" will show
you how it is to be done-for money paid
to 'Sellers." But seriously, this whole
Sellers family has not cents worth Of in
fuence with anybody whose vote is worth
the having. 1t has no talent for writing
anything which the press will print, for it
cannot produce anything from which the
job will not protrude recognizably. 1t is
said that some few of the more verdant of
New York spectators of the importing
class have bled quite freely to support a
few members Of the ''Scllers" family here
this winter, in the hope that they can effect
the restoration of the old, loose way of
administration of the tariff laws by
the Treasury Department If so
their money is a dead loss. Sec
rotary Bristow is determined to continue
his reforms in the administration of the
customs laws to the bitter end. The
friends Of the weighers and assistant
weighers, and the whole tribe of thieves -!
who have fattencd upon damage allow !
ances' and other ill-gotten gains to the
amount Of several millions annually, and |
those heightened smugglers who make an
nual trips to Europe and bring in diamonds |
and silks enough free Of duty when they |
return TO pay the expenses of travel and of |
q recherche establishment at home during |
the balance of the year, may fume and fret |
and strut and thunder through the self |
styled independent press at him to their |
hearts content 1t will have no effect |
upon him. He Is satisfied that he has |
gagged the Sellers" family, and found |
them wanting. He has discovered their |
tricks and put his veto upon them. None
but real damages are to be allowed in !
future. Honest weights are TO pass be- |
tween purchaser and seller, OF between i'm |
porter and Government, and no extra fees. !
In short, it looks very much as though the |
Treasury receipts next year from the same |
quantity of goods imported would show an
excess of several millions over those of the
last while the expenses of collection
promise a reduction of at least million.
The quacks will see by these facts that
their whole game is blown; that it is not
worth while for them to waste time and
money and breath in efforts to change the
policy of the Government. They had
much better start out at once upon that
course of industry, economy and honesty i
which must afford them future subsistence
if they live at ALL