Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-09-01
MANNING's CIRCULAR
Discu sed b. Rhode land Manu-
faCturers.
DON'T WANT THE TARIFF RsvisED
Nor Any Tariff Agitation in the Next Con-
gress---SenatOrs AIdrieh and
Chase Speak.
RESOLUTIONS OF PROTEST ADOPTED.

PROVIDENCE, R. /, August Sl.-About
one hundred manufacturers of this State
met here to day to consult on the question
Of making joint reply to. the late circular
of Secretary Manning asking information
'Kadssnggestiops-in rpsRa 20 the tariff.
A preamble and resofSt6h" were offered
setting forth that ss the manufacturing in
terests OF the State were just beginning
to show signs Of recovery from long pc
Rod Of spression, but were still in condi
tion Of xtreme sensitiveness, the meeting
believed that any such attempt at general
revision Of the tariff (as that contemplated
in Secretary ManuiBgs circular) would be
exceedingly disastrous to the entire indus
trial interests Of the county and, there
fore,
Resolved, That this meeting hereby en-
ters its respectful protest against any re-
opening of the tariff agitation at the com.
ing session Of Congress.
Senators AIdrich and Chase
spoke in support OF the resolution. The
latter wanted it understood that be was
talking as manufacturer, not as Senator.
He said: "Why did not the Secretary ad-
dress himself TO the repeal Of the act OF
1874, and why nct seek to throw the burden
Of proof upon the fraudulent importer?
This nation is doing something that no
other nation has doae Offering q premium
upon fraud, and that is the reason
why so few Americans abroad are importing
TO this country today. The circular of the
secretary is not an i,n2uta!ion or ACCUSE.
ton but oirect charge. | was surprised
that in such a simple matter he found it
necessary 20 60 so i4r cC don't Ike the
,dea of an executive branch OF the govern
nent assuming legislative functions Sen
ator Chass then alluded to
The Action of secretary Bayard
with reference to the South American con-
mission and Of the Postmaster General with
reference 10 the so-called mail subsidy
scheme. and proceeded to say that
the reply framed to be forwarded TO
Washington must be hsudled with care so
that it might not be distorted or misused
10 our derrinent" He could not see why
in the matter oElsbor the question should not
De dubHtfcu hOhColi1 auO lutSihSChtAJ ohN
for the good OF the country, but the Secre
,sry could not expect every individual man.
ufsctur,r to open his books to the gaze OF
the world. The Secretary OF the Treasury
might take measures 10 acquaint himself
with the cost of lsoor in this
country ard in Europe, and the speaker
suggestsd that tSe report Of Abram 5.
Hewitt, ss Commissioner 10 the Paris Expo
-ition, ard the Consular reports contained
information of tEat character. There were
come matters woIthy 10 be thought Of 10
this connection, he said, and added 1T is
curious FIAT
The Wsol, II business
which suffers the most from taxon raw ma
terial, shoald be :he very first 20 revive
from the depression. believe that the
woolen manufacturing business and mar
Let is better to-day than any 9th
er manufacturing industry in the coun-
Try. On the other hand the cotton
industry, the raw material Of which is
manufactured bers and is largely exported
abroad, is most depressed although the raw
material is not taxed al all
The preamble Ssd resolution were adopt.
ID AID q committee Of fifteen appointed to
reply 10 the question in Secretary Mannings
riFcular