New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-14
TARIFF LEGISLATION.
ACTION OF THE CHAMBER or coxxrnc.

REVOLUTIONS ADOPTED APPROVING Mr.. HEvrr,.
PROPORTIONS BEFORE CONGRESS.
Aspecial meeting of tho Chamber of Comu...-
was held yesterday afternoon to discuss 49,
proposition Of Congressman Hewitt to ,efos-
the tariff. Among those present were Pc
Cooper, ex-Congressman s. B. Chittcndss
A. A. Low and John Roach. The mon..t
tho gayel fell calling the meeting TO ora
Charles 8. Smith asked the Chamber To 49,
slider the most important petition, as respects t.
character and weight Of the signers, ever prenrs5
to the Chamber The petition Is directed 10 o.
gress and opposes any restrictive legislation recayI
ing Chinese immigration. The chairman decide
that the bylaw governing special meetings emil
not be suspended hence the subject could nos ~
entertained
Gustav Schwab then represented resolutions, =.
proving Congressman Hewitts propositions befo,ys.
Congress, intending TO reform the tariff. lie spois
In part as follows:
The question a. how shall the tariff he reforms6,
This Chamber think would be recreant 10 it, duty ~
were TO ignore any programme that has show OF e,
and this much, am sure, viii be conceded by apy ess
tleman present who has read Mr.. Hewits speech: I'M
his plan Ia the result or serious and lab0rOus study by
disciplined mind and that IL takes statesmanke yles
Of the subject free from party bias and doctrnal prs
House rs substitute for the Commission bill or not 4
certainly is the first proposal made in OF Consr
that deserves the name Of programme and that can ~
ceive and is entitled 10 receive serious consderaton
from this Chamber 1t has been said hat
S Mr ae"its N programme o was free trade d
in common with Mr. Hewitt look upon large measn.s
OF free trade the goal TO which every nation In ~
world strive TO come IL expects to fulfil Grand
destiny. Anyone who objects to free trade the n
mate outcome OF our tariff policy has right object "a
Mr.. Hewitts plan But are prepared to 90 for prc
lection as the permanent condition OF our systemy
think not appeal TO the gentlemen who have read Ne
say that perfectly safe and conservative measure
OF REFORM looking to be sure to free trade, but s
meDt. ask the gentlemen point out any great and
valuable industry that is threatened with destruction Or
and If duties on manufactures are reduced to M
Hewtts scale OF specific rates equal TO from twenty-five
value Of the last three years as the basis OF adjustment
know OF great interest that is threatened within
jury by such measure except, perhaps, our wocL
growers.
Gardner r. Colby offered as substitute for Mr.
Schwab's resolutions that the Chamber recommend
the appointment by Congress Of a commissioners.
pertS, composed OF merchants manufacturers and
representatives of the agricultural interests who
shall be instructed to inquire into and report tn the
next Congress such facts as will furnish basis for
wise legislative reform in this important matteEp
Charles S. Smith, in secondng the substitute, spoke
substantially as follows:
The questions OF free trade and protection Of
universal application TO all times and in all countries
Each nation must decide what the exigences OF it's pec
liar situation require. Ii Is purely question OF policy
and matter OF business. Any other view of the tad
question purely theoretical and VIII not stand the test
OF experience The arguments Of Free Trade riend
are mainly drawn from English maxims aud English
perience. !, American CITIZEN la favor OF The
protection of American Industries mot as tariff foI
revenue on the principle that it L. for the best good
the greatest number that dstnctvey protective policy
should prevail in this country until the time arrives
when it can be safely abandoned and in ths only io
low the policy of England assert, and challenge denial
that England built up her
absolute policy Of protection s as late as the YEAR
manufactures Of silk as late as 1860 because waths
only branch Of industry that needed PR
duty nearly ruined very prosperous industry. She
could not compete with France in silk manufacture To
day it would be simply folly for England TO pnrsue
protective policy She Is internationally the most depend
country the world, for she only raises about forty
market for very large part of all her productions viii
this county it Is just the reverse We are international
ly aud geographically the most independent country
the world. We have had time yet to place
featuring industries upon the same firm footing as tno
OF Great Britain. Excepting for our protective iarA
we should have been to-day simply what England woGd
like us TO be and remain-a purely agricultural nation,
and nothing more. All history shows that purely e.
ricultural nat on ever became rich and powerful
ID. &, Robbins said that the resolutions OF Nj.
Schwab, i'll support of Mr.. Hewltts plan, were most
important Revenue reform had become necessity.
He continued:
The things which should not be taxed raw mate
rails that important in the processes ofiDdustry in
PIGMENTS tools Of all kinds including shipping and
investments of permanence Customs taxation iof
should be drawn from waste luxury far
possible. Raw material should only be taxed for rev
enue SO long as we tax raw materials shall be
able to measure the cost OF the protective policy o.
ascertain when protection is longer necessary. Fur
Their, should aim not only to supply the home Do
mand In manufactures, but TO enter Into compeiittn
with other nations in "a generous rivalry TO increae
products and supply the wants Of advancing ciyrR
ton our present tariff system tends and more
the limitation of product-to national isoat0n and oar
socaled protection industry has become perverted
that it is in fact, and will become more and more, the
announcement of national incOmpeency idleness
have been long impressed with the belief that the par
the dutiabie list of the tariff under three
headinS S Raw materials or natural produce;
chemical preparations; manufactured articles We
can system or more properly want of system, Is the
worst extant and regard any discussion at tne pres
emf time about free trade or protection abstract cue
in
We must have revenue, and TO certain extent the
no doubt we do require more or less protection. l "
lieve in the nearest approach TO free trade possible
look upon protective duties as exceptional, but neecs
sary-nOt to be dispensed with 50 long the manufac
is for reason, not level with MS foreign
competitor We cannot afford to dispense with proec
tion however dstasteful this be 70 the theorist
philosopher. We cannot dispense with sn
full Industries, slful industries increase national
wealth in the Introduction OF natural forces as steam
etc. and therefore protective duties must
II they do Opera.e as taxes TO more or os
extent because taxes In support OF sful education az
d legitimate aS for any other desirable EDUCATION
The other speakers were limited to five minutes
$. b. Chittenden said:
am proud OF Mr. Hewitts plan because 1t is uDdouot
eddy of deep thought, and his speech was the mos
many years. But MIR. Hewitt cannot stand on that
speech it speech for reform Inc tariff question
only be taken up whether by commission or whether
Congress stop by steps II cannot be considered in 0
day.
A. Foster Higgins, who next spoke in regardn
the Inconsistencies In Mr. Hewitts plan was fol-
Owed by James NJ. Constable, who approved NJ
fiewitts plan. Mr.. Constable wished everything
to be brought to this country at its least possible
cost He desired tariff reform simple, concise and
. understandable Royal Phelps. approved hL
Constable's views, and thought that the people
owed Mr.. Hewitt debt of gratitude for bringing
the matter SO clearly and emphatically before then
Isaac Phillips spoke In favor Of adj valorem In pfe
erence to specific duties. oo..
Mr.. Colby's substitute was voted down by $50
20. and Mr. Schwab's resolutions were adopted"
the same vote.