The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-10-11
EDWARD ATKINSON.
The Originator of the Atlanta Cotton Ex-
posltion-His Views on Tariff Reform and
Southern Development.


Correspondence Of the Evening Mail
BOsToS October |.
In the October number Of the North |
American Review Ex-Governor Thomas A. |
Hendricks, of Indiana, discusses at con
siderable length the problem of protective |
oran income tax in an article entitled, Shall !
Two States Rule the Uniony' The |
autocratical, sovereignti"s referred to are
Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. With |
view of learning the opinion Of a represent
tative protcctionist of the latter state upon
the suggestions contained therein, your
correspondent called to-day upon Mr. I'd
ward Atkinson, a gentleman known to New
Workers rs being responsible LOT thc eA
position ut Atlanta, Georgia, and to men oil
The Raw state as n prominent and persistent |
writer upon financial topics. The gentle
man was found at his office on Devon
shire street. tTpDn learning the writer
GRAND .e stated that he had hot rs yet read
the article alluded to, and could not, IN con-
sequence, criticse it. Concerning the main
idea il embodied, however, that of q removal
OF the tariff question from the influences of
party politics, Mr., Atkinson was entirely at
liberty to express himself.
a
He said
II believe now, as have always believed,
that an issue of this character, involving as
it does the material interests of every section
Of the country, and incapable of satisfactory
settlement upon any but the highest and
most philosophic grounds, should be placed
without the sway of local prejudice. That
reciprocity of interests existing at this time
between all the states, be they. for protec-
ton or for free trade shadows forth time
when, in my Judgment, both will see the
advantage of meeting upon the platform OF
mutual compromise, There is n growing
feeling among all branches of industry, and
independent of political influence, that the
tariff is defective and needs revision. II is
unsatisfactory to both extremists alike; and
in many Of its provisions eminently unjust.
How to remedy matter OF this sort, IS
clearly not Il question for hasty popular de-
cision 1t demands reflection and an UNI
biased Judgment Therefore ! endorse the
bill for the appointment OF committee;
think with the right men that such modil-
cations can be made as to satisfy the de-
mands Of both parties"
"From when.e shall such committee be
drawn?' inquired your correspondent
1T seems to me, from men best qualified
by personal knowledge to Judge of the cl-
feet Of the proposed legislation upon par
in congress, but the country Will not be sat /
isiied until the appointces are felt to be
men who are known and trusted in their
peculiar vOcatous.'
"In the event of such committee APP
pointmcnt, what would you have it first
undertake to do?'
n, w0EI,
"Wcll it is pretty hard to directly spe-
city, ~ answered the economist with smile, .
"but | should say that the relation Of the in /
tcrnal revenue to the tax levied on imports /.
was an important question. Certainly it /
seems 10 be wise thing to tighten rs much !
and rs quickly rs possible our duties on
domestic products When it is considered |
how important an effect custom house tax |
alton has upon home industry and to what
degree il is capable of increasing or de- .
tracing from their value and productions .
the delicate question needs light mauipula.
ton. Concerning the specification Of the |
particular items to be placed at this time, .
or in the near future, upon free schedule, |
] am not now prepared to speak, No, | |
don't care to express my opinion, Various
articles might he subtractcd from the tax
able list with benefit, but il is not until all
ofts bearings are considered that any par
ticuar one can,be determined"
This ended the interview. 1t is said here
that Mr.. Atkinson is preparing an elabo-
pose in the light of u moderator
THE ATLANTA EXPOSITION.
Boston merchants anticipate II great in
crease in southern manufacture from the
new impetus Of the Atlanta exposition, and
Mr.. Atkinson's enterprise and energy have
gained him no little COMMUNICATION East
ern capital is seeking Investment in the
south, and eastern energy is prepared to ac-
company IL. There seems probable in
crease in the sentiment here ola strong
protective tariff and corresponding light
ening of internal revenue taxes with an cS-
pecial object of southern Cancellation, Adj
vertisements appear In the daily papers
calling for trained mechanics of all
classes ito so south" and the rail.
roads are known TO he quietly giving
special rates to the bosses who are in
charge of the numerous gangs who have re.
Gently left here. They seem to come large
ly from the northeast; and that, too, from
mony ofthe larger manufacturing towns in
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, as
well as Massachusetts. The inland districts
are all supplying u largo contingent of
hardy agriCulturists. IL is surprising to
observe the recent and complete change of
feeling in the East regarding the South If
there was any latent prejudice or suspicion
of possible Southern hatred, il has melted
away like snow on meadow before the sun
of prospective profit, Men who for years
have wrestcd for u scanty living from their
native soil of granitc.Studdcd hillsitlcs, are
beginning to look with appreciatvo eye
toward the South as the most promising
field for their future lubors, lnforma-
ton concerning the character of the
lands, their price and methods OF working,
as compared to northern ingenuity, Is
eagerly treasured up, and II is n favorite
topic of discussion cup country" as to
how long II will take and what il will cost
10 go south for spell" The Limitation
oftimc is always added. There seems to be
no idea of permanent location. Few men,
IL any, want 10 be acclimati1cd. To go,
speculate, invent or plant and SOW, and
then get back rs soon ns possible, seems to
he the leading idea of those who are prcpar.
ing TO go, as well as those who are already
gone. II is q curious phase that is rapidly
developing into what may become an I'M
profitable one, and alarmistS are not want.
Ing 10 predict gem raj disarrangement OF
the present economy In manufactured pro-
duets, and arraign Mr.. Atkinson's glowing
prospectuScs us the mistakes of a
new Moses. To the operatives, however,
and especially to the foreign born and those
who have few local ties, the assured pros
pcct of better wages and cheaper living is
resistlcssly attractive, and many artisans
who have lived heretofore hardly enough
look forward to Southern cottage lirelcss
rooms and a negro to do up chores" The
newspapers In the large Eastern cities have
US yet taken but little heed of this signih.