National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-20

Robert p. Porter, the well-known writer
on tariff and trade topics, has been in Wash
ington for some weeks past as q staff CORE
spondent of the Philadelphia Press, and has
devoted most Of his time to 'making things
pleasant" for the Morrison committee Not a
single step has been taken nor a PROPOSE
ton offered by that committee in the dlrec-
ton of tariff revision that has not been alb
solutely proven by Mr.. Porter, on the evil
dence Of official statistics. to be inimical
to American interests.
The free traders in England never tire OF
asserting, and our gullible American free
traders never weary Of believing, that the
English people ardently desire the main
tenance of our protective policy In order
that England may not have TO compete with
us Sin the markets Of the world" This
is the old, old story that has been told and
told again until II has become lndelibly
impressed on the free trade mind. True,
II has been refuted q hundred times, but
refutation Of an argument only commends
It more strongly to the confidence Of a free
trade apostle.
The latest refutation OF this absurdly
false notion comes in the shape Of broad
side, the ammunition for which has been
furnished by chambers of commerce in all
parts Of tho United Kingdom. Mr.. Porter,
having received the first report OF the royal
commission appointed to inquire into the
depression Of trade and industry, findsin its
$50 pages the answers TO a circular adj
dressed TO chambers Of commerce In
the United Kingdom. The replies Of these
commercial and industrial associations
indicate n unanimity Of opinion that the
terrible condition Of affairs has been brought
about By foreign tariffs on the one hand,
and free imports on the other. In proof Of
this he presents the views of thlrty-six
chambers of commerce, which are fairly
sampled by the following:
Aberdeen-DepressIon largely due to high
foreign tariffs.
Barnsley-Foreign tariffs at tho bottom OF all
our troubles
Belfast-Foreign competition and foreign tar
ifs.
Birmingham-Foreign competition in neu
trail markets. Foreign import duties on home
manufactured goods exported abroad
CardiG-Forigu tariffs have materially Affect
cd our iron and steel trades.
| CleckheRton-Foreign tariffs are decidedly
injurious TO the trade of this district.
Dewsbury-Foreign tariffs have greatly in
jured our trade.
Dublin-The depression of trade is, to great
extent, caused by the levying of high duties on
goods exported from the United Kingdom.
Dundee-The imposition Of very high tariffs
on goods OF British origin by the countries on
the continent Of Europe; also, the duties i'm.
| posed upon these goods in the United States
Greenock-Foreign tariffs and export boun-
| ties
HAlifax-Trade seriously affected by foreign
tariffs.
Leeds-Foreign tariffs have seriously in.
| jured the traders of this district.
Liverpool.If hostile tariffs were amelorated,
and more especially foreign bounties abolished,
the increase in our industry would be great.
anchester-Foreign tariffs arc the bane Of
our existence.
Newark. on-Trent-Foreign tariffs to great
extent.
North Shields and Tynemouth-Foreign
tariffs and competition are both felt oppres.
sive.
North OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES tariffs to seri.
GUS extent.
ossett-The trade of our town and country
generally would be greatly improved ifthC
foreign tariffs were removed.
southampton-Foreign duties.
South OF Scotland Chamber of Commerce.
Foreign tariffs affect our trade prejudicially.
WaRefeld-Increasing foreign competition
Nocase has ever been decided against any
criminal by any court in the United States or
evidence more conclusive than the proof here
presented Of the folly contemplated by oui
tariff thinkers. But, overwhelming as thii
condemnation is, 1t win not deter thest
blunderers. 1t is their deliberate purpose Il
destroy our protective system, and they
would do it to-dayif they were clothed
with legislative power.