Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-04-17
A PARTY LEADERS, VIEWS.
Ex-Gov. English on Democratic Tar
in Policy.
The Party in u Position Where it Must
Declare in Favor Of the Principles
ofthe Morrison Bill.

LlA-OONs JdItlC5 I1llklloil ldS NOlttc
out plumply with the avowal that the
Democratic Party has placed itselfin a
position where it must declare in favor
of the principles of the Morrison Tariff
bill and upon the doctrines of that bill
depend for its issue in the coming Pres
idential campaign. This emphatic de-
claration from prominent New En-
gland Democrat, whose public state
ments have always been extremely
conservative, and who is recognized,
at least in his own State, as a possible
head for the Democratic national ticket,
has more than passing interest and
significance. "There seems to be only
one course for the Democratic party to
pursue" said Mr.. English, land that is
the one to which they have been COM
mitted by the election of a Speak
.er of the House of Rep
resentatives. That coure is the
sensible one which calls for a gradual
reduction of the tariff and the conse-
quent lessening of taxation. 1t is q
policy which the public demand. The
people see yearly large surplus reven-
ues collected. 1t is an unnecessary tax
alton, indirect, but a taxation Just the
same. They don't like this. They can
see no necessity for it, and are ready to
give their suffrages to that party which
makes its platform on policy which
will bring relief from what is getting to
be looked upon as burden. The Nor
rison bill represents the crystallization
of the sentiment into practical form.
Its value to the country lies in this fact
as much as in any other. do not be-
lieve the bill will become law. twill
pass the House, in my opinion, and will
be rejected by the Senate. Then the
issue will be joined between the parties,
and the Democratic Party will 20 before
the country in the next campaign as
the representative of tariff reform"
"Will the people be ready to support
the party on such platformW
~ think so, without the least doubt.
The true situation of affairs hereabouts,
as | gather it from conversation with
gentlemen who are identified with me
in manufacturing Interests, is this: The
tariff is ofno earthly use to this State
or to any one of the New England
States. Our manufacturers would be
no worse off, even if the policy of the
country should be one of free trade; but
lot .JCb llCC JIAuCEt dfll l.
prepared to advise the adoption of free
trade as a principal of party policy.
My position and that of every manu-
facturer with whom have talked, Re-
publican or Democrat, is that the need
of the country is the adoption of poll
cy which l should formulate, like this:
A moderate tariff, which shall bring to
the country a sufficient revenue to meet
the current expenses of Government
and leave small surplus to be applied
to the slow eXtinguishment of the ma
tional debt. Incidentally, would favor
such protection as might be needed to
foster the few struggling industries
which may need it,"
'"Then you think manufacturers want
no more protectionw
"As q whole, no. We do not want
protection here, as have said. The
principal demand for protection will
hereafter come from the South and
West, and from the iron miners. The
latter class, of course, want to continue
the amassing of colossal fortunes at the
expense of the rest of the country az
long as possible. But their power is
| waning. The industries am interest.
ed in-brass, iron, rubber, clocks, wool
ems, and Underlined no further as
sistance from the Government in the
way of a high protective tariff. 1t can
not benefit us any, and it does no
benefit us any, and it does not benefit
the working-men by it's existence"
Mr.. English, who is reported to bt
worth $4,000, 900, has been largely inter
ested in the lumber business for many
years. He was asked if he favored thu
placing of lumber on the free list. ''Mos
assuredly do" was his reply. Main,
is stripped of all but her coarse lumber
and New York State is denuded of its
hard wood supply. Michigan is tht
only State from which we can obtain &
supply of building woods. The Soutl
has the woods, to be sure. In Arkans
as, notably there is great supply, bu
it costs more to get it up here than i
would to get it from Canada. Ourpoli
cy of protecting in this instance ha.
worked to the destruction of our grea
forests. The country suffers materially
in consequence. Unless lumber is pu
on the free list what few woods we have
left will be sacrificed, and then we shall
be at the mercy of the Canadians. L
is but the part of wisdom to put lumber
on the free list"
"And Salt?"
THAT is of little consequence, and eff
fects only Syracuse. 1t should certain.
~ be on the free list"
"You are interested in the manufac
ture of woolen goods-what about th,
placing of wool on the free list?"
III should favor that. Of course, th,
tariff doesn't protect any interest, SO fa
as can see, that is worth protecting
Here in Connecticut, for instance, th'
wool-growing interest is one of no con
sequence. Connecticut seems to favo
the cultivation of dogs rather thar
sheep. There is an attempt to rais'
sheep for their wool in Ohio. 1t is O
no great importance, however. Their,
are few sheep raised in the Southwest
but this interest is not great enough tt
call for protection to wool-growers a
the expense of the manufacturer anC
the consumer, both of whom now suf
fer to benefit the few.n
"How about iron?"
/ "Well, would favor the admission
of iron free. Iron manufacturers ar,
not benefited by tariff. They woulC
be better off with the metal on the fre,
list. The only ones who benefit by i
are the iron miners. They are undulN
benefited, as can show you. had !,
friend who was President of a bank il
Philadelphia several years ago. HI,
was induced to invest in an iron mill
The price of iron was much higher thar
it is at present. The tariff was prohibi
tive, and manufacturers had to buy