Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-12
Advising against a Fatal Sentiment.

Advising against a Fatal Sentiment.
The New York Commercial Bulletin, in
reviewing the proceedings Of the meeting
of the Southern manufacturers at Au-
gusta, says: 'The action Of the Southern
manufacturers in appointing committee
to investigate the causes Of depression,
and to devise some cooperative plan LOT
controlling production, ETC., 1t Is 10 oe
hoped nav lead to a true disclosure Of all
the facts bearing upon the subject, and
that no sentiment so fatal to the best in
terests of the South will gain dominant
influence as the idea that more protection
is the particular need suggested by the
present difficulties in this branch Of its
new industrial awakening. 1t would be
premature. perhaps, to 90 into the sub
ject more specifically until the committee
of investigation have made their report
II the ablest thinkers among the manu-
facturers are followed there will be no
reason 10 fear that more protection will
be advocated as a remedy for the de-
preston alleged to exist in the cotton
manufacturing business in the South. A
number Of the leading manufacturers have
already expressed their views with great
frankness, and they have no hesitation in
saying that what they want is less, and
not more, protection. There is some de-
preston in their business just now, be-
cause the market for the class Of goods
they manufacture is Overstocked. To raise
the tariff on cotton goods would not re-
lieye the market Of the surplus. The only
way to get rid Of the surplus and to pre-
vent a surplus from accommodating is to
open the way TO foreign markets.
This can be done by only one
method, viz: by reducing the
tariff and thus lowering the cost Of
production. 4 statement was published
that a majority Of those present at the
Augusta meeting favored protection. The
names Of those who favor tariff reform
and those who favor protection were not
given. Had the names been given it
would have appeared probably that those
who believe in reducing the tariff to a
revenue basis comprise the leading man.
ufacturers of the South. The tariff reform
manufacturers have considered the
question Of cotton manufacturing in the
South very thoroughly, and are convinced
thai if the South is to export manufac-
tured instead of raw cotton the cost Of
producing the manufactured goods must
be reduced to the lowest possible point.
They are looking to the future. The adj
vOcates Of high protective tariff are
looking only to the present.
congressman Seeking the Truth.
At last it looks as if the public were
soon to have some authentic information
about Mr.. Tilden's physical condition. A
self-appOinted committee Of Congressman
have concluded to visit New York for the
express purpose OF seeing Mr.. Tilden and
inquiring about his infrmities. This
committee propose to publish a card on
their return to Washington, stating ex-
actly what, in their opinion, Mr.. Tilden's
condition is, and whether he has fully
determined if they can find out, to refuse
the Presidential nomination if it is offered
10 him by his party. This is a very deli
cate mission that these Congressman
have undertaken. In the first place it is
by no means certain that they will agree
as to Mr.. Tilden's condition. Men as in
telligent as congressman have visited
Gramercy Park within the last few
months and have formed very different i'm
pressions of the aged statesman's physical
condition. Some said that he was a mere
wreck, while others declared that he was
strong and vigorous. If this committee
OF Congressman should reach different
conclusions the plan of publishing a card
for the purpose of setting all doubts at
rest would be spoiled. In the second
place, Mr.. Tilden may not be ready to tell
a committee OF Congressman his plans.
In that case the promised card would be
incomplete. But whether the committee
reach a unanimous conclusion or not, or
whether they get anything definite about
Mr.. Tilden's intentions, their report will
be sure to be received with a good deal of
interest.