National Republican., 1885-09-02

More than one hundred representatives.
of the manufacturing interests Of Rhode
Island met in Providence on the 3lst III
timo to consider the circular recently all
dressed TO manufacturers by the Secretary
of the Treasury, asking for information
with view to the recommendation Of
tariff legislation.
After brief but interesting debate the
meeting unanimously adopted resolutions
declaring that "the industries of Rhode
Island have been subjected to long pcrlol
Of depression severely taxing the resources
Of both the manufacturers and their en-
ployes, commercial confidence having been
universally impaired :" that, "altholgh
there Are indications of more hopeful
state Of affairs, all industrial enterprises
are still in n condition of extreme scnsi
tiveress, and that, for these reasons, they
believe any attempted general revision
Of the tariff would be exceedingly disis-
trous to the entire industrial interests Of
the country" In conclusion "the meet
ing entered 'its respectful protest against
any reopening of the tariff agitation at the
coming session of Congress"
What is true Of Rhode Island Is equally
true Of all other manufacturing commIni-
ties. "a condition Of extreme sensitive
nessn is universally prevalent. If the
Democratic programme for revision OF the
tariff is attempted to be carried out, the
present tendency toward revival will be
checked and, in few months, reversed.
1t is not believed by THE NATIONAL RE-
PUBLICAN that there is any serious danger
to our manufacturing industries in the near
future, because VIC have faith in the Re-
publican majority in the Senate. 1t is by
no means certain that bill providing for
radical revision of the tariff could get ma
iorlty vote in the House. But, supposing
such measure to have passed the House,
we have no doubt that II would be killed in
the Senate.
Such Is our opinion; hut capital wants
something more reliable than probabilities
before II will consent 10 leave the vaults of
banks and now into the channels Of trade.
A suspicion 4 not more fatal to the fair
fame Of lady than doubt is to the stability
of business
So long as a great national party, which
controls the popular branch of Congress
and the executive department, persists in
keeping up tariff agitation, the industries
dependent on or seriously affected by the
tariff will be sin condition of extreme
sensitiveness." Prudent men will not risk
their money in operations whose success or
failure is dependent on events over which
they can have no influence.
The ultimate aim Of the free trade Demo.
Grassland they constitute about three.
quarters of the Democratic party-is the
absolute annihiation of protection. "A
tariff for revenue only" means such duties
on imports as will give the required rcve
nue. in the simplest and easiest manner. II
means the English system-heavy taxes OF
few commodities and no tax on any others
As heretofore stated in these columns
those "reformers" would make tea, coffee
and few other articles which are largely
consumed and not produced by our people
bring in all the money required from tn,
tariff. This would he the utter ruin o
most Of our manufactures, and would pm
the free labor of the country in woful plight
AT the Providence meeting Senate
Chace spoke Of the condition of labor II
Europe as compared with the better pal,
labor Of the United States. lie thought /
would be well for Secretary Manning ''tt
read the report OF Abram S. Hewitt, as
commissioner to the Paris exposition, 70
information, wherein he would lind that TIN
people of France and Belgium eat mea
once week, and that the price of labor /
less than one-half what it is herc.n