The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-05-15
THE VALLEY VIRGINIAN
STANTON, VIRGINIA.
Iron and Steel Interest.

Iron and Steel Interest.
The General Convention of the American
Iron and Steel Manufacturers and Iron Ore
Producers met in Pittsburg on the 9th in
slant. This body is probably the largest
representative association of American in
dustry and enterprise in the United States.
1t embraces gentlemen OF large business ex-
perience, intelligence and means, who are
practically connected with the Iron Inter
ests of the country. Hon. D. j. Morrill,
was called to the chair and addressed the
Convention. in speaking OF the present
condition of the iron trade, he said there
were unmstakable indications OF a return
We may not anticipate rapid advances in
! prices or great gains in business operations,
| vet if we utilize the experience OF the past
| five years, and advance with firmness and
caution, we may reasonably anticipate en-
ployment for all at living rates. Referring
to the large purchases of English 6essemer
rails by the New York Central and Hudson
River Railroad Company at price largely
in excess of current rates, he said that, hav-
ing been appealed to for information, he
did not hesitate to denounce as false and
>landerous the allegation that the utmost
endurance of American steel rails is but five
years, and that they are commonly inferior
1 to rails made in England. He alluded to the
subject here as the whole trade has common
interest in maintaining the we deserved rep
utation earned by American Manufacturers
Of Bessemer rails, and also for the reason that
this assault upon them may be regarded as
part of a scheme to break down the protective
policy of the government, which to day is
the sole guarantee of the continued existence
of the great and growing industry which has
placed within the reach of American consul
mers better and cheaper iron and steel than
they ever before enjoyed.
A committee appointed for the purpose re-
ported resolul ions, the following embracing
| the substance OF them 1.-THE manufacturers
of iron and miners of iron ore of the United
States, in general convention assembled, ex
press conviction that the causes of distress,
which during more than five years have pre-
vailed in all walks of manufacturing industry
and have been especially grievous in the iron
and steel trade, have spent their force; that
the prolonged and apparently hopel' IS de-
preston of business is past, and that there
are signs of the return OF healthful activity,
through which the country will again become
prosperous. While all manufacturing coun-
| tries have been alike sufferers, the condition
IT this country has been more tolerable.
mainly because of the policy of protection,
which has preserved a home market for pro-
ducts of native industry. 1t is largely owing
to this policy that our country is the first to
recover from the blow which Frustrated all
industrial nations and begins to have conf
dence in the future, while free trade is still
paralyzed and Respondent We do not ask
for aid, for we have courage to helpourselves,
and the substance of what we request from
our government may be briefly expressed
Do not now open our ports to products OF for
eign labor, Tor the certain result will be to
close many American mills and factories,
and take away the bread of American work
| men.
| Do not check the healthful prospect of our
export trade and disturb the wholesome con.
dition of our exchanges with foreign coun-
tries Refer the subject Of tariff to small
and carefully chosen commission of legisla-
tors and business men, who alone will be en-
powered to submit to Congress any proposed
alteration in our tariff laws after consulta-
ton with interests to be affected by them
Refuse to entertain overtures for so-called re-
ciprocity treaties upon the grou nd that they
invade the right of the lower house of Con-
gress to initiate the financial legislation
that they are adverse to the interests of the
people and OF The public revenue and con-
trary to the genius Of our free government"
We publish the above to call attention to
the fact that the most important industrial as
ISOLATION of this country, entirely free from
partizan politics and considering the ques
lions before it without reference to party in
terests, brings prominently forward the
subject of the tariff to insist upon the con-
-tinuance Of the present protective system
| Tt concerns our own people. too, inasmuch
as Virginia anG West Virginia must soon b.
coal districts in the United States. where
capital must gravitate for their develop
ment, and that the public policy which is
deemed best for the iron and steel interests.
represented by this Convention is that
which is peculiarly shifted to us.
1t is singular. with these practical inter
csts staring us in the face, and upon which
the entire South must depend for her future
advancement, our r, representatives. in Con.
gress should array themselves in opposition
to the protective policy, and in favor Of the
old, obsolete and retroactive notion OF free
trade. Mr.. Tucker represents district pc
culiarly interested in iron developments The
Allegheny Railroad about to be cOmmenc
ed, is designed primarily to develop iron
property, and bring into active use the vast
wealth which lies buried in the earth; yet
Mir. Tucker cannot reconcile it to his theory
of government, or the abstract political no.
support to an administrative policy which
looks to the protection of this very interest
with which the prosperity OF his consttu'
ents is so intimately identified.
Judge Harris is in the same category. Ed
ucated in the notions of Democracy, when
the labor system of the South forbid the
development of mineral wealth, he seems in.
capable Of forcing himself out OF the old
grooves, and catching inspiration from the
changed condition OF things and the new re-
lations his section bears to the active, moving
world.
Mr.. Kenna, of West Virginia. too, adj
heres to the old Democratic notion on the
tariff, and although the district he repre-
.ents is destined to be the seat of the great
est iron enterprise of the age, he plants
himself squarely in favor Of policy that
must cripple and check those interests, IL
not paralyze the efforts to develop them,