New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-30

He POINTS OUT FREE TRADE PALACES AND
FALSEUooDs-MI. HURD FOR TIE MORRISON
BILL
lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBuNEl
WASHINGTON, April 29.-Interest in the tariff de-
bate was revived to-day by the speeches of Messrs.
Hiscock aud Hurd. Mr.. Hiscock's speech indicated
:ha, he had pursued his Investigations with a
thoroughness unusual among Congressman. He was
on tie firm ground Of ascertaned facts, which he
had grouped with skill, and which were presented
tn an effective way. His exposure of the absurdity,
incompleteness anduttcr wOrthessneSs of tho agrl-
cultural statistics" by means of which Mr. Mills
and other free-traders have sought TO nslead the
House and the farmers, was fall and mercilcss
They have pretended TO show from the census re-
turns that the total value of agricultural products
in 1850 was actually less by several hundred
million dollars than il was in 1860. Mr.. Hlscock
pointed out that these free trade statisticans had
calmly ignored. in making up the total for 1880,
the values of the meat aud dairy products. the
wool clip and other items. amounting in the aggTe-
gate 10 more than 81, 100000, 0O0 and he showed
that while the total value of agricultural products
in 1850 was only 81 800. 900, 600, it amounted to
twice that sum in 1850 and that 80 per cent of
those products found q market in the United
States.
THE FARM AND THE TARIFF.
Mr. Hiscock also presented tables, the correct
ness of which he challenged any free-trader to
gainsay. which show that farmers receive better
prices at their farms for everything they produce
than they did in 1860 under tariff for revenue
only: that farmers and other consumers pay much
less now than they did then for cotton goods, wool
len goods boots and shoes, carpets blankets agr-
cultural implements and machinery OF IRON ana
steel and other neceSsares; that the wages OF farm
labore,S are higher now than in 1860; that wages
of farm laborers are higher III manufacturing STATES
like Ohio. than in purely agricultural States IKE
Kentucky; that the value of farms per acre Is
greater IN States with diversified MINISTRIES imam III
purely agricultural States
Mr. Hiscock described the depression OF agrlcult-
aral interests which would inevitably result from
n policy which should break down the manufacture
ing industries aud drive any considerable proper
ton of the IL 900 600 persons engaged in or de-
pendent upon those Industries into agricultural
empiovmentS in view of the sharp foreign coDpe-
tition in cotton, wool and the cereal products. lie
contended that the policy desired and advocated by
two-thrds of the Democrats in the House. while II
would probably reduce temporarily the cost of
manufactured goods. would cripple those domestic
industries which it did not destroy, would Stigu-
late foreign manufacturers, who, after throttllng
the American manufacturer and securing firm con-
troll of the American market, would fix the
prices of manufactured articles to suit their own
cupidity. and buy, also at their own prices, as
much or as little as they might choose Of the pro-
ducts OF the American farmer, Nj. Hlscocks
speech will be found useful document TO circulate
among farmers. since il exposes not only some OF
the worst fallacies but many of tho most iagrant
ntruths with which freeiraderS will seek TO trick
and deceive the voters during the coming cam
paisn.
MR.. HJRD FOR THE BILL.
Mr.. Hurd's speech was both brilliant and cO-
oueut, a, well as thoroughly unsound from ir5J to
last. starting with the ASSUMPTION that the pres
ent tariff adds about - per cent TO the prices of
all imported goods and that 1t also conrels con-
sumers to pay much higher prices Tor goods OF DO
inestic manufacture. Mr.. Hurd evolved some propo
sit,ons which would be startling if they were
trne as he sincerely believes them to be,
Mr. Hurd drew strong picture of the ruin which
is to overtake American farmers before next Christ
mas unless the Morrison bill becomes a law. lie
oontrastcd the poyerty-strcken condition OF Eng
land forty years ago under protective tarlh with
her present prosperity under free trade declared
THAI the United states IN 1851 Is a. badly oil a.
England was IN 1874. He denied tina; protective
tariff has ANYTHING to do with the wages ~ labor
that the American working man Is any petItI OH
than hi> fellow III England.
MIR. HURD CONTRADICTED.
MI Hurd drew pitiable picture OF the distress
among the American workiugmen and thcli iah-
lie, in thc course OF which lie said that in Rhode
Island village recently oo' IdHillcH vic O-o''NNiN"
In destitute and starving condition.
"What IS the name Of that town" asked Mr.
Chace.
"Wckfori," replied llr llmd.
Il want to contradict the statement i'll the most
positive terms rejoinel llr. Chace who lnmcdi-
a,ely took measures to inform himself as to the
probable foundation of the story.
Mr.. HuId then paid his respects TO the lannon's
OHIO platform and declared amidst great applause,
that ii the taTff plank III that platform means
what ITS author says It does. II Is m
consistent with the repeated utteIanCcs "I ne
Democratic party III National Conventions. and
that hc repudiat"d IT ana would lead the gallant
Democracy OF Ohio against II III the coming cam
paigu" he frec-traders cheered Mr.. HUrd again
and again, as he denounced tie platform OF ms
party Ia his own State, and some OF The Repub'l-
cans helped the applause, III order 10 contribute
thel mite 10 Democratic harmony"
Mr.. Hurd then turned his batteries against the
Democrats IN the House who oppose ne Aorlis2h
bill aud he reminded them that tw0-lhlrds OF the
members OF the majo. W. hat decieGd That
the bill must be ia ken w and passed III - 100
late 70 say that the tariff question must not be
agitated the agitation has already begun ana
neither the ambitions nor the fears OF Democratic
Leaders can stop It, Private extOrtion must yield 10
public right. The protective tarlft grants 10 lndl-
Viduals the rights or cXtOrtlOn and robbery, ana IL
must le overt hTOwn" As MIR. Hmd thus concluded,
the free traders Cheered him 10 the echo end fOr
some time the presiding officer was unable TO re-
Mr. More spoke twenty minutes in favor of the
bill He wants the revenues reduced. and Is there
fore ready 10 vote for a oil which viii increase
them. Mr.. Geddes. of Chic, a. 50 spoke. 1t was
quite impossible to say. after hearing his speech
whether ne is for the bill or against IT, Tho free
trader, and the Randall men both claim his vote.
FURTHER TESTIMONY BY MELVILLE.
WASHINGTON, April 29.-The examination of
chief Eng neef Melville was continued to-day before the
Jeanette Committee. He had never seen any OF the
officers while the retreat rcsins and summing them
selves while the compelled TO wOrk,a had been
stated BY OF the witnesses lie himself was con-
stantly hard work with the He did not any
Interference by belong with The movements o? MI
Collins on the retreat