New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-27
JyFORu4TIOy FOR Mr. MANNING.

Two important memorials have been trans
mitted 10 the Secretary of the Treasury. in Ie-
Spouse to his circular of inquiry regarding the
tariff. The W0ollcn Manufacturers Association
opposes without qualification any agitation OF
the tariff question at this time or auy modllica-
ton of the duties 1t points out changes that
il deems desirable, and defects in the present
tariff which worked to the disadvantage OF
American producers. But 1t urges that any
attempt 10 revise the tariif at this time must
cause great disturbance, aud surround the
industries of the country with uncertainty ana
check the recovery in business which has
begun. Tho uuspOkcn reason, 1t Is but lair 10
add. is probably more potent than those which
the association mentions. 1t would not be
exactly becoming, perhaps, for the association
to inform the Secretary and Congress that there
was not one chance in ten thousand Of decent
or useful revision of the tariff by persons who
know so little about it aS those who compose
the Democratic majority i'm the House, and who
have at the same time such narrow prcludlccs
70 sway their action. Until the tariff can be
revised by a body which can be expected to
act upon il with little intelligence, and with
decent regard for the interests of home in
dustry. it is immcasurably better that it should
be let alone.
The memorial clearly sets forth the principles
upon which the woollcn tariff was constructed.
It shows that this body of duties was designed
TO place the manufacture in the same position
as if materials were free, and then TO add pro-
tcctivc dIty of 80 per cent nd yalorcm. Inc
objections to this system are discussed with
great clcarncSs and force, and particularly the
objection on the score OF confusion, or difficulty
in computing the duties. II is only just To say,
though the memorial does not call attention
to that fact, that the wool tariii has worked
better than almost any other branch OF the
present system of duties. Certainly it Ia, been
found much less inconycnicnt than many other
forms of duty which are apparently far simpler.
Because of the double duty it has been found
less easy TO evadc the tariff on Noollens, and
consequently there has been less temptation tO
importers and others to cndcayor 10 defeat the
law. But whatever the cause. it is the fact
that the controversies regarding the duties on
woollcns have been fewer and moro easily
adjusted than the controversies arising under
other features of the tariff.
The memorial of the Iron and Steel AssOcia-
ton also opposes any agitation of the tariff
question at this time. 1t points out changes
! i'm the law which are needed and argues with
great force that in some respects the present
tariff protects the foreign producer against the
American manufacturer. If a revision were to
be undertaken, it urges that higher duties on
some important products are necessary for the
! defence Of American interests But it main
| tains that any agitation of the question must do
great harm AT this time, and that there is little
probability that wise adjustment of duties
can be reached until there has been longer
experience of the new tariff. The body OF
statistical information embraced in this
memorial is of great value, and it should help
to cnlightcn members no have been taught to
believe that the existing duties were OF no prac-
teal benefit to American labor.