Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-05-31
0lr ca,ifnster Jntellige,,fer.
LAHcAsrRR. NAY 81. tsss
Tariff Ti.kers and Textile Takers.

Tariff Tinkers and Textile Takers.
An imposing demonstration in point of
numbers was held in Philadelphia on Sat
uriay night, to voice what is alleged to be
the protest of 10000 textile workers of that
city, against the taxation of manufactur-
ers' raw materials and their demand for
tariff revision. Not great many we'll
known public men were present. Mr.. F.A.
Herwig, who is said to be barber and
has much intercourse with the men for
whom he assumes to speak, and who is an
intelligent practical student of the tariff
issue, presided.
The chief address of the evening was
made by Hon. Abram s. Hewitt, of New
York, q very intelligent congressman, for
whose broad views and patriotic purposes
we have great respect, and we have often
commended them. He made an extended
and able speech and in conclusion of it he
said /:
When the next election rolls around ask
your candidate for Congress If he intends to
vote for free wool. Ifhe says eyes" vote tor
him-if he be Democrat or Republican.
Mr.. Hewitt did not say what they should
do If he said "no."
Mr.. VIM. Deane, a woolen manufactu-
rer, of Newark, Delaware, spoke in favor
of free wool. Speaker Carlisle did not
come to the meeting as it was positively
announced he would, but sent letter
warmly approving its objects.
Acting Secretary of the Treasury Fair
child wrote letter approving free wool
and equal duties on worsted and woolens-
the manufacturers and treasury depart
ment having deal of trouble recently be-
cause worsteds are not taxed as heavily as
woolens. Senator Van Wyck, who was to
have spoken, wrote letter explaining that
he was not strictly in sympathy with the
meeting; as he was "not for reduction on
raw material unless there is also a cores
ponding reduction on the manufactured
goods. That would be unjust to all inter-
ests. Free wool and other heavy duties on
woolen goods would not seem to he right -
Some other letters and speeches were sent
and made.
In so far as it will promote public discus
sion of economic questions and lead to
their fuller understanding ; and especially
insomuch as it will help to induce working
men to study these questions upon their
merits, with reference to their own as well
as their employers interests, and to the
general prosperity of the whole country as
well as the welfare Of particular localities,
the Philadelphia meeting and all gather
ings and discussions like it are to be well
coined and commended.
We fail to discover any warrant of those
who got UP this meeting to speak for
/" forty thousand textile workmen." Such
an assumption seems to be entirely
gratuitous; it is easily disposed of by those
not in sympathy with the movement and
hurts it rather than helps. The very gen
eral absence, too, of prominent representa-
tives of the textile interests robs the meet
ing of great deal of the significance
which is sought to be attached to it.
The other feature which depreciates this
and especially weakens the
force of the whole tariff discussion, as it is
into the various Democratic po-
litical clubs of Philadelphia, is the mani
fest purpose to make personal capital and
crafty factional grudges with it. Wehave
not always agreed with Mr.. Randall on
public questions, and have especially and
frequently differed from his tariff notions;
while we recognize his eminent services to
the country and his potential influence
for good in his party. But when
the tariff and his attitude toward
certain phases of it are introduced into
public discussion, not for a fair determine
tion of their merits, but to subserye per-
sonal and factional ends, and to pay or
punish private issues arising out of appoint
ments to office, the Democratic party as
whole will not sympathize with such
modes or motives.
We recognize wide Individual differences
as to how the tariff should be revised with
in the ranks of the Democratic party. We
believe they should be reconciled by the
leaders Of the party in the House. We be-
lieye neither side there has been animated
by spirit of concession and fairness and
that both sides have been largely inspired
by personal feeling. We do not regard
Mr.. Morrison as capable leader his hori-
zontal bill was failure; and his present
bill Is far from logical or sufficient re-
iorm OF the tariff. 1t cannot become
law, with the Senate 80 manifestly opposed
70 as u now. 1t might pass and not
hurt the country; it might fail and we
would yet be spared from universal wreck
and resulting chaos. 1t is not a suffi.
cient issue to divide the party, nor to
drive men out Of it. Neither free wool
nor free ore, nor yet free trade itse,f ia a
t0uchst0ne of Democratic faith and man
may favor free wool and yet not be good
Democrats; they may oppose it and vet he
worthy Of confidence.
Certainly we will not take the Judgment of
. majority Of any Democratic House COM
mittee rs binding on the Democratic con
science OF the country when such commit
tees report in favor Of river and harbo
steals, anti-oleomargarine laws and Blail
educational bills.
Leaders or Irish Thought.
Tbs Philadelphia Ledger effectually an
swsn the oft repeated cry that the Irisl
a -