New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-04
YORK DAILY TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 1880

manufacturers claim that injustice was done to
them last Winter In repeating the duty
on the product of their factories ana
leaving the tax on the raw material; ana
they have been hoping that Congress would
in some way come to their relief 1t is also known
that bureau has been started in this city. for the
purpose Of making representations 10 the rah-
road companies Of the United States ABOUT
the duty steel rails, and OF attempting 'o
organize the companies for reduction OF the duty.
One large interest has been hoping that salt would
be made Free Another has been agitating for the
extension of policy which will restore the ola
time activity to shipyards and the lost ascehu-
aucy of our own flag in our foreign commerce.
Still another has been agitatiDg TO nave sh'ps
made free. There are other interests which have
been willing to see some modification mace III exist
listing rates Of duty some wishing for higher rates.
some for lower ones.
While Congressional action in behalf OF certain
interests would be beneficial, the instinct OF
the country is against any general disturbance
of the present conditions under when Duslness
has revived so vigorously and the raVages
If the last six years upon fortunes and incomes are
being repaired so fast. Furthermore tbere
appears to be pretty general sentiment
that there should be no extensive modlhca,loh
of those conditions without thorough uhuer-
standing of the present position and needs Oh Tue
great intcrests and industries Of the country
Oninion has become manifest on these points
of late, and is unmistakable' III ueioi
ence to it, Senator Eaton, OF CODhec''ou,
has brought forward a bill in Congress- intended
to give effect to the public feeling about the t'"
He prono5es the appointment of Tariff Commission
of nine members, to make thorough ana exn'us-
five inouirv into the questions relating to agrieu-
and
United States the results to be reported to Congress-
Testimony ia TO be taken in all parts Of the country
Fuers IRE TO be called and all interests are 10 DC
heard The testimony Is to DO printed and lana De
fore Congress- This inquiry Will undoubtedly
keep alive the tariff agitation. AT inc
same time It will tend to postpone any general
oyerhauling of the tariff and will put an end for
tho present to tho uncertainty that springs from
tariff tinkering.
H. Is no reflection on American institutions
TO say thst IN England they seem to understand
better than we do tho necessity OF thorough COZ
lection of the facts before taking up Tor study tue
subject OF any tariff change, or change Oh lhd5trai
policy whatever Parliament always investigates
before acting From the published documents
of Parliament can be culled library of volumes Of
the most valuable character relating to all the de-
tails Of the great industries of tue world. these vol
umes being the testimony collected by investigating
committees at home aud COnsuls abroad at times OF
tariff agitation. Preliminary work OF tins KIND
should precele any serious changes IN our own
tariff and the new Commission will therefore be
step in the right direction.
Its interesting to note that tho American Iron
and Steel Association and the Industrial League
the two most powerful protective organizations IN
the country have indorsed the Eaton bill They
have is,ued a circular addressed -" to all
industrie,D recommending "a cordial accept
ance and support" of the measure. They say
they are convinced that Mr.. Eaton's proposition
is intrinscally sound, and that he is sincere ID
Offering 1t as a means Of checking rash action and
of fTecting in serious and consderate manner
sach changes 0s our tarf system may require"
With this Endorsement it does not seem probable
that serious objection viii be made to the oil IRON
the Protection side of the house.