Arizona weekly citizen., 1882-12-24
COPPER AND THE TARIFF.

When the Star claims that the present tariff is injurious to Arizona 1t lorgets that free trade is to-day assailing one of the most important and growing inter ests of the Territory. We allUde to the
 production of copper Ii they succeed | in inducing Congress to cut off the duty | on lead and copper it will paralyzc many i mining enterprises in Utah, Colorado and Arizona. With us the chief consid- eration is copper. The future of Ari- zona in the production of copper IS ex- ceedingly bright, and many well posted
 mining men think that we are destined
 to rival the famous Lake Superior re- zion of Michigan. i few years ago our copper was valueless, but the construc- tion of railroads and the high price of copper, partially maintained blythe taF- if, has brought them into notice, and
 many mines have been operated and
 many large enterprises are being lnaug- urated. In fact, we have come to look upon copper as the staple of the Terri tory and that which will most largely contribute to our future growth. Com paratively few important silver strikes are being made, but our copper fields in
 all portions of the Territory are proving yeritable bonanzas. The effect of the abolition of the tariff n copper would
 be seriously felt by every copper mining company in the Territory, and 1t would | diminish the market value and saleabil- itv of every mine and prospect which our people own. 4 strong foreign lniiu- ence is being brought to bear, together with the free trade sentiment of the Fast. which has refused to be convinced of the benefits of protection which the unequalled growth and prosperity of the country for the last quarter of a century under protective system of tariffs clearly establish, and it is among the possibilities that Congress may be induced to alter its policy. What
 position the great copper interest of Lake Superior takes we do not know. The Calumet X Hecla Is an immense
 corporation, having vast property and
 millions of resources. Owing to its long establishment and its facilities it Is
 ale to produce copper bullion at pro- fiifrom ore that IS so low that ID Ari-
 zma 1t would be valueless. We all
 I-. ,-,- -l,,. ,I.,s .orr.s-g4T,r 1u f.aT Lone oF
 tie rapid growth of the western copper interest. Before it had a virtual
 monopoly and controlled the copper
 rArkeI of the United States, and that
 kipt the price up by shipping from the
 country and selling in the English or
 5reign markets at low prices any sur Jus that might accumulate in this coun-
 ", rather than let the price drop. Since , he advent Of Arizona copper, this com
 ,any has had to drop its fatherly care and
 ct the market take care of itself. It has ,sased to control the copper product Of the country. Just what effect this great company think a tariff change will pro- uuce on theIr interests, We can not say. D They may think that 1t will be to their advantage in crushing out the young and growing copper interests of the West, and may throw their powerful in fuence in favor of the abolition of the tariff. If they do the case Is almost hopeless. The copper interest of this Territory should enter its protest agalnst such a course oflegislation, man. itestly so prejudicial to one of our most important industries and one of the great sources of the Territory's wealth. Every influence should be brought to bear upon eastern capitalists who have invested their money here to protect our interests winch are threatened by the success of free trade Democracy.