The National tribune., 1882-09-28

tainly before the holidays"
Taking into consideration the fact that
there was a great deal Of bacllwardness in
coming forward 10 testify before tie commits
sion in the early part of its session, do you
consider that as showing the existence Of a
sentiment in favor of free trade or a disposition
to let the tariff alonc?"
"Why, the people generally don't care much
about it. and. as the farmers are generally
prosperous, they did not take enough interest
in the subject to come before us. At our sit
ting in St Louis, Governor Coleman came
before the commission and said he was backed
by $4,000, 900 farmers, and they were all united
in the interest of free trade. Soon after this
statement was made a gentleman in the audi
enoe stepped up to me and said: MIR. -
do you suppose l could say a word on that
point I said, Certainly know something
about farming he continued, rs l happen
to be the Master Of the State Grange of Mis-
souri,, and also the lecturer of the Ma
tional Grange in the United States, and
think l know something Of the views of the
farmers on this question. l was interested and
greatly surprised to hear the remarks of Gov
ernor Coleman about so many millions Of
farmers being united for free trade. We have
good many farmers who are free-tradc men,
and there are good many who are in favor Of
a protective tarif-as high as any Pennsyl-
vanian desires; but l think the great mass
of them believe that the tariff is too high
on some articles and desire a reduction on
those"
"One OF the most sensible articles on the
tariff commission appeared in the st. Louis
Post Dispatch the evening that we left that city.
1t said that when the tariff commission was
first appointed the people all thought it was a
useless thing, but since then public sentiment
has changed. 1t has accomplished thing
never done bcfore-the looking practically
into every branch of the customs duties. 1t
offered everyone an opportunity to come be-
fore the commission and point out where there
was cause for complaint. 1t had performed
a clcan-cut work, and it was work that was
gaining the confidence Of the people; that it
had pursued its investigations in sensible,
business-ike way, passing all through the
country and looking into the industries of
the several localities, and instead of sitting
costly in one Of the great cities of the East,
y
cars, travelling from place to place"
What, in your judgment, so far as can be
determined now, viii be the general tenor of
the report of the commission?"
In the first place, there will be a clearing
away of the cobwebs that affect the working of
the tariff and interfere with its smooth work
ing. The tendency will be in the direction of
a wholesome reduction in the industries that
have grown up and are able to stand on their
feet without assistance. The commission will
not hesitate to increase the duty where they
can see an opportunity to build up profitable
industry. The representatives of leading in
dustries like cotton, iron, silk, and others are
now comforting together, and will present
written statements to Us in New York, and that
is the reason why they have not appeared
before"
"Will the commission make any specific rec
concentrations as to the various articles in the
tariff"
"Most certainly. The commission will en-
body in its report a draft of law which, in its
opinion, will remove all defects in the existing
tariff and remove all reasonable complaint
against it. "The commission, contrary to the
general idea, has not had an easy time of it. 1t
has been obliged to sit daily and hear long and
very often tedious statements from gentlemen
who were not by any means thoroughly posted
in regard to what they were talking about
After concluding the days work the members
were forced to hurry of on the cars ride all
night, get up early in the morning, and, as
soon as they finished their breakfast, get to
H. ,,+
900 a month, as was stated some time ago, or
anything like it; it has not cost half that sum,
and, as every item Of expense must be passed
upon by the auditing committee, it isnot at all
likely that the Government will be called upon
to foot any extravagant bills"
To the representative Of THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE the gentleman stated that the com
missions report would be ready for Congress
by the second week in December. He denied
with considerable spirit the stories that the
commission has been a junlleting affair.
Since we started on the road two months
ago." said he, eve have Travelled so steadily
that six weeks of that time we have slept
on the cars. The only rest we have really had
was the few days we spent in Boston, st.
Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati, and there Of
course we were busy all day. A junketing trip,
indeed" he continued warming up with his
subject, "why the majority Of cur members are
wealthy men. What enticement would there
be for them in 'junIeting' trip2 Besides,
several Of those gentlemen are elderly men,
who would infinitely prefer the comfort of
their homes to the labor imposed upon them
by their acceptance"
"What form will your report take?"
"A revision Of the present customs laws and
a slight reduction Of duties
"shaH you write your report here or in
New York;"
:" In New York. prefer that place because
there the custom-house officials and experts
will be more accessible.
During their tour the members of the com
mission have had, Of course, some amusing
experiences.
II seems that at the hotel at which they stop
ped in St. Louis there was particularly bright
and inqu:sitiyc call boy, and when the members
Of the commission came trooping in from the
train he mistooll them for theatrical COM
pany At any rate, at Che first opportunity, he
said TO Mr. Oliver, whose room adjoincd that
Of Mr. Porter, We had John Mccullough, and
Rarnum, and Mary Anderson, this year. and,
mister, wish you would please give me a
ticket to the show" "WeIl, said Mr.. Oliver,
q don't know How is that, Bob?" he called
out to Mr.. Porter, who was taking his ease in
the next room. "Oh, we'll" said !hr. Porter,