The Dawson journal., 1884-04-03
Mr. William II. Young's Letter

COLUMBUS, Ga, March 13, 1884.
Hon, Hugh Buchanan, House of Rep
resentatiyes, Washington, D. c.
Dear Sir: l have your letter OF the
10th inst, in which you ask my views
as to what effect reduction of 20
per cent. would have on the cotton
manufacturing interests of the South.
To the question I answer unhesita-
tingly, none.
The South is now engaged in man
ufacturing, say, standard or heavy
weight goods, and which are mainly
consumed by the masses of our popu-
lation. South and North, and now
the South sends her surplus produc-
ton to the North, where they dis
place all such weight goods as were
form erly made there and sert South
These advantages Gin all such goods
must ever remain with the South
over New England and Old Eng
land; and New England, on account
of closer proximity to the cotton
folds, has a relative advantage over
Old England.
COMPETITION OF ENGLAND.
A reduction Of twenty per cent on
the tariff would not enable England
to compete with this country, North
or South, in these heavy weight
goods, but if the tariff on all articles
entering into the cost of manufacture
in thisi country were also reduced
twenty per cent. then the mann:act-
urers, North and South, would be
benefited, and if the duties on all
such goods entering into the cost Of
manufacturing were made free then
the North and South could compete
with England in all markets of the
world.
The tariff as it now stands, Of
course, shuts out all foreign compe-
tition with manufacturing produc-
tons in this country, except a few
speciaties of fine goods for the
wealthy, and it locks in their pro-
auctions and thus confines them to
the home demand, and as a conse-
quencc there is now a glut of goods
To illustrate my position: The com
pany over which preside consumes
about fifty bales of cotton per day
A New England mill consuming that
amount of cotton would have to pay
$3.50 per day more for it than it costs
this company and mill in England
would have to pay more than that.
These advantages are so great
that the tariff, if entirely resolved,
would not enable England to COM
pete with this country on heavy
goods, and if the tariff was removed
on all articles that enter into the
cost of manufacturing, then this
country could command the markets
of the world and the supremacy of
England would be ended.
COST OF LABOR.
I have visited England three times
and have investigated the cost of la
Dor compared with the South and
found it more, or higher, than here,
and yet our operative was in better
condition, from The fact that food
cost less with US and clothing also,
as our climate does not require such
heavy clothing. l think labor at the
North about the same as in England.
l also investigated the cost and
selling price of heavy cotton goods
aud concluded | conld sell in Eng
land at profit but to do SO must
adopt their peculiarities of styles
and [ prefer home market.
| believe if all our custom houses
were abolished that this country
would find in England large mar
ket for our manufactures of cotton
and wooden goods. Now, this coun-
try is heavily taxed with almost
everything that enters into the cost
of production, beginning with ma
chinery and ending with baiing
the goods with Scotch burlaps.
/ believe the manufacturing inter
ests in this country with their nat
ural advantages, if free from all tar
iff Legislation, would soon make the
United States the greaC mauufactur-
ing centre. Yours truly,
W. H. You've,
Pres't Eagle and Phenix Man f. g Co.
Uncle Sans Navy.
In communication published in