New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-30
THE NEW TARIFF.

great change in the tariff will take effect
after TODAY, AS almost every branch oil trade
or industry is materially affected by duties on
imports. and it has been generally feared by
the friends and hoped by the foes of American
industry that the new tariff would work against
American producers and to the advantage OF
nroducers and dealers abroad, The TRIBUNE
deyotes its third page o-day to an explana-
ton of the changes of duty and to the opinions
of prominent men in many branches of bust
ness as to their effect.
1t will be observed that in nearly all impor-
tant branches experienced men look Tor no
great or violent change. For instance. a
woolen manufacturer docs not think the
4" difference between the old and the new rates
"sufficient to cause large importations." a
wool dealer clocks for a better state OF trade
after the new tariff is in operation" Carpet
makers think the change will not hurt them.
An iron manufacturer judges that prices here
are now so low that the change OF duties VIII
have no important effect Dealers III cotton
goods think no change, one way or the other,
is to be expected, excepting that increased con-
fdence in the stability Of protection Will be
felt. In some branches, generally of minor
importance it is said that harm has been done
by lowering duties, but it would have been
utterly impossible to make any revision OF the
tariff without affecting some interests unfavOr-
ably, When it is considered that the new tariff
| was not in all its details the product OF any
Intelligent and well directed effort, because the
| ablest and most experienced Republican leaders
were many times thwarted as to details by the
votes of Democratic ee-traders, it must be
|
workings of the measure is quite as favorable
as could be expected
1t is the opinion of THE TRIBUNE that a
more satisfactory condition of industry and OF
trade will begin almost Immediately after the
new tariff takes effect. For. first, it is on the
whole wise and benefcent measure; there
fore its general good effects will probably soon
oyerbalance any mischievous results that may
flow from Its defects. And, second, in the an
ticipations of many men, the evil effects OF this
measure have, we believe, been much exag-
gera,ed. When they have practical experience
of its workings they will discover that 1t is not
as bad as they thought, and will take courage
and put forth new efforts. Finally, there has
been much stagnation in business, for some
time past, partly because OF uncertainty as 70
the workings of the new tariff, and partly be
cause operations could clearly be deferred with
advantage until the new duties had gone into
effect. 1t appears at the Custom House that
large quantities of goods have been put into
warehouse to await the change of tariff. A
great many neutrality-suspicious. haze
bhen pausing, because they could get materials
clxaper after July /. Hence the new duties
ONE in operation, will unlock many Golfers and
start many wheels. Soon, moreover, grea
part of the uncertainty as to the workings o
the new tariff will be removed, and men vii
know upon what basis they can work.
Probably much more OF the recent depression
than is supposed has been due to the approach
, of a general change in the tariff. When mel
, act, some idea of their plans can be formed
| when they merely decliue TO do anything a
present, their reasons remain in doubt Their
{ has been a general refusal to do things, no
, merely In branches of manufacture and trad
} directly affected by the tariff, but in man,
, others not obviously dependent upon it. Thi
cause of inaction ceases Nith to-day. Their
is reason to believe that percephble increas
{ in activity Will soon follow, end if so the ne'
tariff will give general satisfaction, notwith