The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-12

and not contradicted, that iaDof VIII be
compelled to submit 20 large share OF re-
duction.
Mr.. William Weibe, the president Of the
largest labor organization In the country,
said, in his statemen. before the committee,
that any reduction OF duties would re-
duce the price OF labor generally. We
cannot too strongly emphasize our oppo-
sition TO any legislation which even
tends TO reduce our labor to a foreign
standard, either in price or condition.
The maintenance OF q fair and ade-
quate scale OF wages for American
workingmen is indispensable to their
comfort, their well-being, and the educa-
ton OF their families Is essential TO good
order OF our society, the stability Of our in
stitutions and welfare, and the progress Of
our country.
Third. This proposed reduction will
inevitably increase foreign importatiOns,
and as a consequence will, as all cXpe-
rience teaches, increase our revenues, TO
which increase every interest OF the coun-
try Is opposed.
Fourth. II Is wholly unnecessary, I'M
tust!fiable, ana In every aspect and TO
every American interest only hurtful. The
enormous increase OF the capital wealth OF
the country during the last fifteen years
under protective tariff now forces capital
TO seek employment in the development OF
all mineral, agricultural, and other re-
sources, 10 the advantage and gain OF all
our people, and change or modification
OF the system will create such Il doubt of
successful enterprises as to check this use
| full tendency and tllsgart national develop
ment, the progress OF which is without
precedent in the civilized world.
Fifth. ii has none OF the merits OF care
fully matured tariff bill. 1t is not the re-
suit Of studiOus consideration OF the in
terests Of our people, their investments
and emplOyments, or OF the condition OF
the public treasury. 1t proposes to re-
duce alike the duty upon every article OF
foreign import indiscriminately and with
out any examination OF its effect upon par
ticular industries, end wholly ignoring its
necessary effect in advancing prices
abroad by the destruction of competition
at home. While, nominally, it is uni
form reduction, in fact il is grossly un-
equal under the limitations Of the bill, and
it will be found difficult, IL not impractical
BILE. OF execution. II Is leap in the dark.
Sixth. That feature Of the bill which
applies dd UdlOrem rates to most OF the
schedules affected by il is especially objec-
tionable. because it will greatly increase
the existing evil OF differentiation and
consequent frauds upon the revenue, as
well rs so cOmpllcate the rule OF assess
ment Of duties as to greatly embarrass
the administration OF law. Against
the statement Of the majority as TO
the effect OF protective duties upon
wages, and ION the laboring poor"
is the statement Of the workmen them
selves before the committee, who may be
fairly allowed to speak for themselves on q
question so vital to them. All unite in de-
claring that protective duties are essential
to fair and remunerative wages, and that
every reduction OF said duties inevitably re-
suits in lowering the standard OF American
wages. We dissent radically from the state
ment OF the majority Of the committee that
a reduction Of duties lightens by so much
the burdens OF taxation. The whole his
tory Of our national experience shows con-
, stantly decreasing price as the effect OF
increased home competition; reduction
OF duties, which destroys our production
and competition, as inevitable results in
putting up the price demanded by our
foreign rivals. In the belief that the
late tariff legislation would remain
without material change for a period
OF wears, business has adjusted itself to it.
Producers have entered into contracts and
generally arranged their business in cha
racter and volume in conformity with 1t.
All classes OF our people have relied upon
its reasonable permanence and freedom
from immediate and radical changes, 50
Al. 10 Ia 70,
gress to let the present law alone and
permit the business OF the country
to proceed without legislative disturb.
ance. What the country wants most i
relief from congressional agitation. All OF
the in 1ustries OF the country are extreme
" sensitive, and just at this time, when
business is more or less depressed in every
branch. the threat or fear Of change intro
duces an element OF uncertainty and dis.
turbance throughout the country, the evil
effects OF which no one can fOresee. Twenty
per cent. reduction, or any reduction, how
ever slight, following so close upon the re-
auctions made last winter, cannot be defend
ed as to single schedule OF a tariff, and as to
many it can be shown 10 be wholly disas-
trous. We believe that If after sufficient
trial OF the effect Of the last illusion II
shall appear that the industrial interests OF
the country can be'maintained with It. and
that the condition Of the Treasury will
Justify further revision, such action vii
be more wisely undertaken by the
friends OF the protective system, and
with less disturbance to public prosperity
than if done now by avOwed advocates OF
the destruction of the American system Of
protection.
MOrrisOn's Tariff Bill.
Mr.. Morrison was asked when he pro
posed to call the tariff bill up for action
He said he did not know. Other menu
bers OF the Ways aud Means Committee
expressed the opinion that it would come
up next week.