Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-07
THE TARIFF CONFESSION.
The Usual Array of Protection Argu-
ments at LOuissifle.

/
of the Tariff Commission here this morning
argument in favor of the removal OF the tax
on alcohol used in the arts and other indus
| trial purposes was made by Goldsborough
| Robinson, secretary and treasurer of the
Louisville Leaf Tobacco Company. He
| said that such tax was excessive, uu-
| just and prohibitory. The consumption of
alcohol for such purposes had been, prior to
| the tax, 35 per cent. of the total production
of this country, and it was now only 8 per
cent, and produced nearly S3O00OO0. The
legislation of any other country could not
| show euch an instance OF such unjust and
useless taxation. 1t would be impossible for
| the commission to consider the tar question
fairly without gathering come facts and
making some recommendations in regard to
its relation TO the internal revenue. The use
Of alcohol was necessary in almost every art
and manufacture, and its taxation crsmped
industries in hundreds of ways. He quoted
the remarks on the question made in the last
session of Congress by Messrs. Hewitt, OF
New York, Kelley, Carlisle, Willis and But
terworlh. The proper remedy was to repeal
the internal revenue tax. Ii the Tariff Com
mission should recommend the entire aboli-
ton of the internal revenue system it would
be entitled to the gratitude OF the whole
country. A certain class of thinkers had
heralded the commission to the world as be-
petuatiDg and increasing the burdens OF the
people, and it would be a noble answer to
that charge, il through measures devised by
the commission the people should be relieved
from that remnant of the war miseries called
internal revenue taxation. In conclusion, he
complimented the commission as being free
from those local prejudices and influences
which made it SO difficult to get any i'm
portsnt matter OF legislation through Con-
gress.
N. F. Deupauw, engaged in the manu-
facture of plste-glass goods at New Albany,
Ind, said that his father, who had Just re-
turned from Europe, was preparing state
nent to be laid before the commission. The
product of their factory was over 81 600 900
a year. His father had invested in the bust
ness up to 1879 over 81, SOC, 900, and up to
that time the Losses in the business had been
nearly 100000. Since then the business
had been gradually improving and its profits
were now about eight per cent. Itwas
business that required large capital. There
we're many secrets connected with il, and it
was therefore very difficult TO get it in pay
ing shape. In reply to questions, he stated
that since this factory was est ablisbed, ten or
eleven years ago, the prices OF plate-glass
had declined on some sizes two-thircs, snd on
other sizes one-half. There were about 1000
persons employed at his works. He thought
that two-thirds of all the plate-glass used in
this country was made here. The importa-
ton of plate-glass had been keeping pace
with its increased production here, and that
was because of its cheapness, compared to its
former price. One OF the Louisville papers
this morning had stated that the duty on
plate glass was l124 per cent, but the fact
was that the average rate eli duty from 1867
to 1851 was but forty mine per cent. He wss
satisfied with the present rate of duty on
large sizes of plate glass, but he thought it
should be Increased on the smaller sizes.
The cost of labor here was about twice as
much as in England, and four times IS much
as in Belgium. If the tariff were reduced
they would have 10 reduce the price Of
wsges, and they could not retain the services
Of skilled workmen whom they had i'm
ported. Their factory was we'll located, aud
they had all the raw materials cheap and OF
the best quality. A reduction OF the present
duty TO twenty. i've per cent. would stop all
American plate glass factories.
Walter ODougher:y, p. C. Carroll and
Howard Johnston, committee appointed
by the Irish Republican Club of Louisville.
presented a paper stating that members of
the club, knowing by actual experience the
effects which free trade and a protective
tariff severally had on the condition of the
masses In other countries, declared them
selves unalterably in favor of a high pro-
tective tariff. The social condition of the
masses OF the European workmen was far inr
ferior to that of the American -workmen.
Free trade, or any material reduction of the |
present tariff, would necessarily force Ameri- |
can uorkmen into competition with Eu-
ropean TorkmeD, which competition could |
only be maintained by American workmen |
being forced into the social degradation of |
their European competitors. That would |
mean the enslavement OF American labor, |
the pauperizing Of American workmen, the |
transfer of their children from the school to |
the factory, and Of their wives and daughters |
from their homes to the workshops; and this |
would result in dividing the people of this |
country into two classes-paupers and aris-
tocrats. Mr.. O'Dougherty stated that the
club numbered $50 members, all of them |
natives of the British isles.
Communications were read as follows: |
From the Archer Soapstone Company, OF
cincinnati, giving reasons why specific |
duty should be imposed on lava gas-tips and |
slate pencils; from Tarbitt d CsstIemau, and |
other Wholesale grocers of Louisville, in |
torslng the views presented yesterday by the |
grocers OF Cincinnati in favor OF |
the present duties sn sugar, mo- |
lasses and rice, and from Thomas w. Lud- |
low, OF Yonkers, n. Y, against the mainte- |
nance of the duty on imported books.
The commission then, at O'Clock pm, |
adjourned TO meet At Chicago tomorrow |