Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-09-01
THE TARIFF.
Meeting of Rhode Island Manufacture
ers To Take Action ON
Secretary MsnniBR's Recent Circular
Asking for Suggestion.

PROVIDENCE, r /, August 31.-About
100 manufacturers of this State met here
to-day to consult on the question of max
ing a Joint reply to the late circular CT
Secretary Manning, asking Tor information
and suggestions in regard to the tariff,
with a view TO having the matter laid be-
fore Congress at its next session. A pre-
amble and resolution was offered, setting
forth that as the manufacturing interests
of the State were just beginning to show
signs Of recovery from a long period OF
depression, but we're still in q condition OF
extreme sensitiveness, the meeting be-
lieved that "any such attempted general re-
vision Of the tariff, as that contemplated in
Secretary Manning's circular, would he ex-
ceedingly disastrous to the entire industrial
interests of the country" and therefore
resolved that his meeting hereby enters
its respectful protest against any reopen.
ing of the tariff agitation at the coming
session of Congress" Senators Aldrich
and Chase spoke in support of the resolu-
ton. The latter wished it understood that
he was taking as a manufacturer, not as a
Senator. Among other things he said:
why did not the Secretary address him
self to the repeal of the act Of 1874, and
why not seek to throw the burden Of proof
upon the fraudulent importers? This
nation is doing something that no other
nation in the world has done, cffeT-
ing a premium upon fraud, and that
is the reason why so few Americans
abroad are importing to this country to.
day. The circular of the Seer, tlry il not
an imputation or accusation, but q direct
charge. / was surprised thaJ in such a
simple matter he found it Necessary t. go
30 far off. l don't like, myself, the idea Of
al executive branch of the Government
assuming legislative functions" Senator
Chase then alluded b the action of Sscre-
tary BayaId with reference to the South
Amer can Commission and Of the Pos.-
mast - neral with reference TO the so.
called subsidy scheme, and proceeded
to say that "the reply framed to
be forwarded to Washington must be
handled with care, 80 that it cannot be
distorted CT misused to our detriment,"
he oon,d not see why in the matter OF
honestly and intelligently and Tor the
coed Of the country; but the Secretary
could not expect every individual manu-
facturer to open his books to the gaze OF
the world. The Secretary OF the Treasury
might take easures to acquaint himself
with the cost of labor in this country and
in Europe, and the speaker suggested that
the report Of Abram 5. Hewitt, as commits
sioner to the Paris Exposition, and tbc
consular reports, contained informs,o n ii
that character. There ws,e some
matters worthy - be thought O.
IN snis objection, he said, ant
A. 1t is curious that the wooden bust
ness, which suffers the most from the tai
OF the raw material, should be the very
6rst to revive from the depression. | be.
lieve that the wooden manufacturing bust
ness and the market is better to-day thar
any other manufacturing industry in the
country. On the other hand, the cottor
industry, the raw material of which ID
manufactured here and is largely ex
ported abroad, is most depressed, al
though the raw material is not taxed a
ALL" The preamble and resolutions were
adopted and a committee appointed to re
ply to the questions in Secretary Man
ning's circular.
Senator Aldrich. after referring to a sim
liar circular issued by Secretary Robert j
Walker in lS45, and the subsequeni actor
thereon, and deprecating the reopening O
the tariff agitation, he said: "But, wnat
ever may be your opinion as to the agita.
ton, 1t is continue and you must meet it
In 1878, when the Wood tariff bill was be,
fore the House, the cotton manufactured
OF Boston prepared q schedule which they
placed in the hands OF Gen. Banks OF the
House of representatives. They prepared
a schedule which would have DESTROYED
ene-third OF the cotton industries of New
England 1t was prepared by manufact.
turers OF coarse goods, who had no knowl.
edge Of the requirements of the manu-.
facture OF fine yarns and fine goods.
want t. caution you against repeating
their mistakes"