New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-08

cabbages by the cargo, from places Where ~oi"SA
work daily in the fields, come hither as oahas"
with eggs by the shipload from Holland. ca''ie
from Mexico and barley from Canada The nome
market which the farmer defends for other labor,
he must at some points fight for with his worst
rivals Debasing competition with the worst'paio
labor in the world. from which he helps 10 shlelo
other industries is suffered to beat down his
rewards.
Thousands OF farmers therefore appeal. through
the letters considered to all other farmers through
out the country, to unite in demanding Tor their
great industry, not only indirect DEMENT'S puu
the fair measure Of direct protection 1t deserves.
They urge that fraudulent or law-evadng importa-
lions of cattle tobacco and wool should be stopped;
that ,uties on farm products should be so ar
ranged as to give farmers more varied oppor-
tunites 10 secure fair returns: that heavy taxes
now paid by consumers, of which farmers pay
nearly half should be repealed. since they are no
longer needed for revenue; that the protecting
Arm OF the government should be extended as well
TO farmers near the seaports and the Canadian or
Mexican border as to those Of the interior. Pros
tration OF agriculture at any point involves over
crowding elsewhere. Detailed statements append
ed TO this report, which were prepared by members
of the committee who gave special examination
to the correspondence ON different topics. present
o mass of information which discloses how defects
recent changes In the tariff iniure farming
industry These will explain to thousands OF
farmers the nature and causes Of evils which they
have severely felt but have not always understood.
Extracts and suggestions from many letters are
therein given, which will convince candid readers
that the farmers, IN asking certain changes OF
duty, neither extravagant nor unreasonable,
but seek only that measure Of defence which 1t is
the declared aim of the protective system to Sc
cure TO all American labor. They bring together
convincing arguments, offered by the farmers
themselves for the special recommendations which
are prominent in the correspondence. and which
seem TO merit the support and Endorsement Of
farmers generally, as follows:
CATTLE FRAUDULENrLY IMPORTED
I. The fraudulent importation of cattle for
daughter across northern and southern boundaries
pretence that they for breeding purposes
only and by law free OF duty should be ehectually
prevented. 1t is quite enough that 10000 head
were last year imported at duty of only 20 per
cent which would be thought scanty protection
for any other industry. But 900 head were
brought in from Mexico prOfessedly for breeding
and many more from Canada. though American
producers have for years been unable get living
prices. The collapse Of extensive speculations
In cattle and ranches caused great number OF
animals to be sacrificed at low prices, and though
consumers gained relatively little, Of the chief
indus tries Of the country was rendered almost
wholly Improbable. The greatest danger Will
cnne il similar speculat;ols arise in Mexico or
Canada at their COLLAPSE immense numbers Of
cattle may again be forced upon our market in
spite Of the low duty which will then prove no
protection. But the fraudulent evasion of the
law already Increases, and can be indefinitely
extended The act leaves to collectors at all
points q discretion which has been often and can
be extensively abused as 10 the evidence they
may require that importations are for breeding
only. Rulings Of tue department. cOald afford
but temporary and partial defence lie law
itself should rigidy prescribe the evidence to
be gwen, if any animals not Of certified pcoigrec
sIe to be admitted free of duty. it 81 oud not
be forgotten that countless b. rdes are north and
south Of us, and loose law might at any time
bring disaster 10 a great industry.
GRAIN MUST BE PROTECTED
.. The duty on barley should be raised to equal
MAT on wheat VIZ 20 cents per buste., with
propoltonate increase in the duty on barley malt.
Over 10 600, 600 bushels of barley were imported
during the last fiscal year. and probably over b.
OOO, 900 during the last calendar year. while in
$50 the homo production was 100000 bush
els THE regions in which it may be most profit
ably crown have their prices fixed Ill great mar
kcts which Canadian producers can reach by
water. while most Of our own producers cannot.
The Canadian neighbors who seize American hsh-
ing vessels, in disregard Of the reasonable inter
pretatun of existing treaties are tn" only peo-
ME whom an additional duty barley would
disturb. To thousands of farmers near the border
the opportunity to raise this crop in measurable
safety from ruinous competition would be most
welcome To the argument that duties on cereals
have TO effect il is sufficient answer that wheat
in Mimi sofa worth ! 0 cents per bushel more
than wheat across an imaginary line IN MANITOBA
The existing duties on other cereals arc of pric-
teal benefit and should be maintained.
GARDENS CAN BE MADE TO PAY.
3. The duty on potatoes and market garden
products which at times can be brought hlther
I'm ballast in almost unlimited quantities, should
be large enough u insure fair defence TO farm
ers near the seaboard and border. The farmer
hos TO pay American, not foreign workers,
to employ capable and Independent workers and
not mere slaves of the soil. Whenever there is
a surplus in any other land fronting on the Allan
tic or when vessels coming to our ports find no
having ear goes the former likely 10 find his only
markets gorged with foreign supplies, thrust upon
BUYERS ut less than the bare cost OF production
here He cannot know when the season begins
what quantities his market Will demand OF MS
products for the quantities brought from ABROAD
depend, not upon American wants nut upon the
other cargoes offered ocean vessels or upon the
crons abroad. Even when he loads his products
for market he cannot know that ship may not
arrive the same day with such quantities as 10
glut the market for week. In one month, last
November there were imported $4,000 bushels
of potatoes, averaging less than 81 cents per
bushel. In four days of January the imports at
New-lorl alone were 100000 bushels, from Ncoo-
land CO 900, from Ho and, Denmark and Ter
many 5000, and from other distant countries
Against such killing competition it is no wonder
that American market gardeners do not thrive ana
supplies for eastern cities and manufacturing CEN
tres are always liable to be scarce and dear whilo
agriculture is getting starved out OF seaooafu
States 1t is no wonder that the four States OF
New-York, Connecticut, New-Jersey, and Penhsyi-
than they OlQ